Determination of the absolute molecular weight averages and molecular weight distributions of alginates used as ice cream stabilizers by using multiangle laser light scattering measurements.

High-performance size exclusion chromatography with multiangle laser light scattering detection (HPSEC-MALLS) was used for characterizing complete molecular weight distributions for a range of commercial alginates used as ice cream stabilizers. For the samples investigated, molecular weight averages were found to vary between 115 000 and 321 700 g/mol and polydispersity indexes varied from 1. 53 to 3.

Computer modelling of kappa carrageenan-mannan interactions.

Molecular modelling has been used as a theoretical approach to investigate the kappa carrageenan structure and its interactions with mannan chains. Calculations revealed the existence of six minima for the kappa carrageenan structure in solution. Two of them were very close to the structure found in the solid state.

Synergy of the kappa-carrageenan-carob galactomannan blend inferred from rheological studies.

Rheological measurements have been used to investigate kappa-carrageenan-carob galactomannan mixed gels at different ratios, in particular for very low kappa-carrageenan concentrations. The viscoelastic properties of the gels were explored using sinusoidal tests on dynamic rheometers and compression tests between parallel plates. The properties of the binary gels were compared with the kappa-carrageenan gels and with the carob galactomannan solutions.

Computer modeling of polysaccharide-polysaccharide interactions: an approach to the kappa-carrageenan-mannan case.

A computer program SAINT has been developed for the investigation of the structure and for the prediction of minimum-energy structure of polysaccharide-polysaccharide complexes. The energy minimization is carried out on internal geometrical parameters--namely bond angles, torsional angles, and five parameters describing the mutual orientations of polysaccharide chains. For this purpose, the nonderivative method of conjugated directions is used.

N.m.r. studies of synergistic kappa carrageenan-carob galactomannan gels.

C-n.m.r.