Food Stabilisers, Thickeners and Gelling Agents || Carrageenan

✍ Scribed by Imeson, Alan

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 855 KB
• Category: Article
• ISBN: 1405132671
• DOI: 10.1002/9781444314724.ch5

✦ Synopsis

Carrageenan is obtained from red seaweeds harvested around the coasts of the North Atlantic, South America and the Far East. Different species provide a number of carrageenan extracts that have a backbone of galactose but differ in the proportion and location of ester sulphate groups and the proportion of 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Kappa carrageenan and furcellaran form thermally reversible firm, brittle gels. Iota carrageenan gives soft, elastic gels. Kappa carrageenan interacts synergistically with polymannans, such as locust bean gum and konjac, to give strong cohesive gels. Blends of kappa with iota carrageenan or polymannans are used to give a range of gel textures used in injected meats, canned meats, water dessert gels and glazes. Hybrid (kappa/iota) carrageenan is particularly suitable for firm, creamy textures in dairy desserts. Lambda carrageenan is non-gelling but thickens instant drinks and dairy desserts. A specific interaction between kappa carrageenan and kappa casein is widely used to stabilise dairy products including milk beverages, ice cream mixes and processed cheese products.