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Gravity-driven syneresis in model low-fat mayonnaise
Qimeng Wu1, Melle T J J M Punter, Thomas E Kodger
1Physical Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University and Research, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, The Netherlands. qimeng.wu@wur.nl.
Syneresis, or fluid expulsion, in low-fat mayonnaise is driven by gravity. This process, modeled as porous flow, occurs because soluble starch escapes with the expelled fluid, despite its osmotic pressure.
Area of Science:
- Food science
- Colloid and interface science
- Rheology
Background:
- Low-fat foods utilize edible polymers for texture.
- Syneresis (fluid expulsion) is a challenge in these products.
- Understanding syneresis in soft hybrid dispersions is complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical principles of syneresis in low-fat mayonnaise.
- To establish an experimental basis for theoretical understanding.
- To model the fluid expulsion process in a model food system.
Main Methods:
- Studied syneresis in a model low-fat mayonnaise (oil-in-water emulsion with starch).
- Recorded non-accelerated syneresis.
- Analyzed fluid flow rate and pressure differences.
- Applied Darcy's law for porous flow modeling.
Main Results:
- Fluid expulsion rate is proportional to hydrostatic pressure difference.
- Starch's osmotic pressure did not prevent syneresis due to soluble starch loss.
- Syneresis behaves as gravity-driven porous flow.
Conclusions:
- Syneresis in low-fat mayonnaise is primarily gravity-driven.
- A model based on Darcy's law effectively describes the porous flow.
- Soluble polymer loss is a key factor influencing syneresis in emulsions.
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