The effect of different hydrocolloids on the breaking strength, cohesiveness and rigidity of kappa carrageenan gels was studied using comression tests with the Instron. Instrumental measurements were supplemented with benchtop sensory evaluation of texture by mouth, gel clarity and syneresis. The evaluated hydrocolloids included locust bean gum, iota carrageenan, amidated low methoxyl pectin, xanthan gum, and their selected combinations. Best gels were obtained by using 0.15% kappa carrageenan and 0.85% iota carrageenan, or 0.2% kappa carrageenan, 0.2% locust bean gum and 0.6% amidated LM pectin. Although none duplicated the textural quality of gelatine gels, they represented a wide range of interesting and potentially useful textures.

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