Process for producing cold-gelling hydrocolloids

Abstract

A dry hydrocolloid powder with cold-gel capabilities is produced by: dissolving a hydrocolloid comprising polysaccharide chains in an aqueous solution; heating the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to induce a substantial alteration in the tertiary structure of the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid; cooling the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to substantially return the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid to their original tertiary structure, wherein the polysaccharide chains form a gelling network; and drying the cooled hydrocolloid solution to form a dry powder. In some embodiments, the dry powder has a viscosity of between about 10 and 40 mPa-s when reconstituted in a 2% weight/weight solution at 25 degrees C. In other embodiments, the dry powder has a water absorption of greater than 20 g H 2 O/g powder.

1 - 23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A process for producing a dry hydrocolloid product useful as a thickening agent, comprising: 
 heating a dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to substantially alter in the original tertiary structure of the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid;    cooling the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature and for a time sufficient to substantially return the polysaccharide chains of the hydrocolloid to their original tertiary structure so that the polysaccharide chains form a gelling network; and    powdering the cooled hydrocolloid solution to form a dry powder.    
   
   
       25 . The process defined in  claim 24 , further comprising dissolving the hydrocolloid in an aqueous solution prior to the heating step.  
   
   
       26 . The process defined in  claim 25 , wherein the heating step comprises heating the dissolved hydrocolloid solution to a temperature of between about 50 and 95 degrees C.  
   
   
       27 . The process defined in  claim 25 , wherein the heating step comprises heating the dissolved hydrocolloid solution for a duration of between about 1 and 120 minutes.  
   
   
       28 . The process defined in  claim 24 , wherein the powdering step comprises spray drying the cooled hydrocolloid solution.  
   
   
       29 . The process defined in  claim 24 , wherein the powdering step comprises freeze drying the cooled hydrocolloid solution.  
   
   
       30 . The process defined in  claim 24 , wherein the hydrocolloid comprises carrageenan.  
   
   
       31 . The process defined in  claim 30 , wherein the carrageenan comprises kappa-carrageenan.  
   
   
       32 . The process defined in  claim 31 , wherein the carrageenan further comprises at least one of lambda-carrageenan and kappa-carrageenan.  
   
   
       33 . The process defined in  claim 24 , wherein the aqueous solution includes ionic components in a weight/weight concentration of between about 0.1 and 2 percent.  
   
   
       34 . The process defined in  claim 24 , wherein the cooling step comprises cooling the hydrocolloid to a temperature of between about 0 and 35 degrees C.  
   
   
       35 . The process defined in  claim 24 , further comprising stirring the hydrocolloid solution during the heating step.  
   
   
       36 . The process defined in  claim 24  further comprising mixing the dry powder with the remaining ingredients of the edible food product, the dry powder being included in an amount sufficient to increase the viscosity of the edible food product.  
   
   
       37 . The process defined in  claim 36 , wherein the edible food product is consumable without any heating thereof after the mixing step.  
   
   
       38 . The process defined in  claim 36 , wherein the edible food product is a chilled dairy product.  
   
   
       39 . The process defined in  claim 36 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises an ionic component in a weight/weight concentration of between about 0.1 and 2 percent.