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Scleroglucan compatibility with thickeners, alcohols and polyalcohols and downstream processing implications
Silvana C Viñarta1, Mariana M Yossen, Jorge R Vega
1PROIMI-CONICET, Av. Belgrano y Caseros, T4001MVB Tucumán, Argentina.
Scleroglucan, an exopolysaccharide, shows excellent thickening compatibility with common ingredients like corn starch and xanthan gum. Alcohol precipitation is superior to PEG for downstream processing, yielding a highly pure scleroglucan.
Area of Science:
- Biopolymer science
- Food science
- Chemical engineering
Background:
- Scleroglucan is a versatile polysaccharide with potential applications as a thickener.
- Understanding its compatibility with other hydrocolloids and its purification is crucial for industrial use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the thickening capacity and compatibility of scleroglucan with various agents.
- To compare the efficacy of alcohol precipitation versus polyethylene glycol (PEG) for scleroglucan purification.
Main Methods:
- Rheological, pH, and sensory analyses of scleroglucan mixtures with thickeners, glycols, alcohols, and polyalcohols.
- Comparison of exopolysaccharides from Sclerotium rolfsii with commercial scleroglucan.
- Evaluation of downstream processing yields, purity, and properties of purified scleroglucan.
Main Results:
- Scleroglucan from S. rolfsii demonstrated superior pseudoplastic behavior and synergy with corn starch, xanthan, pectin, and carboxymethylcellulose.
- Alcohol precipitation, particularly with isopropanol, yielded highly pure scleroglucan (88%) with optimal properties, unlike PEG precipitation.
- Isopropanol downstream processing resulted in a refined-grade scleroglucan with a recovery yield of ~23% and a narrower molecular weight distribution.
Conclusions:
- Scleroglucan exhibits significant compatibility and synergistic potential with several common food ingredients.
- Alcohol precipitation is the preferred method for obtaining high-purity scleroglucan, outperforming PEG-based methods.
- Isopropanol precipitation is an effective technique for producing refined-grade scleroglucan suitable for various applications.
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