No Picture

Curdlan

May 12, 2023 smitsa 0

Curdlan is a type of polysaccharide that is classified as a bacterial exopolysaccharide (McIntosh et al., 2005). It is produced by certain strains of bacteria, […]

laminaria or kelp a source of alginates

The Power of Alginates

February 20, 2023 smitsa 0

An extended essay on the structure of alginates and how it impacts on their application in a range of commercial industries.

Salad dressing in a pot. An example using a modified starch.

Modified Starch

August 31, 2021 smitsa 0

The modification of starch  allows the food developer greater options in the use of this key ingredient. The modification is usually through chemicals and they […]

No Picture

Gellan Gum

October 28, 2019 smitsa 0

Gellan gum is a microbial exopolysaccharide that is commercially useful as a culture media additive, a food additive according to the US regulation of FDA […]

wheat with a no go symbol. A sign for celiac disease sufferers.

Celiac Disease

April 17, 2019 smitsa 0

Celiac disease or ceoliac disease is a condition which has long been the bane of cereal eaters for many years. It is still the most […]

No Picture

What Is Agar?

August 22, 2018 smitsa 0

Agar is an important polysaccharide extracted from red algae. It is classified as a marine polysaccharide and belongs in the same class as alginate. Agar […]

Guar gum and xanthan gum are often used in ice lollies and ice cream.

What Is Guar Gum?

November 3, 2017 smitsa 2

Guar gum is obtained from the seed of the guar plant, Cyanaposis tetragonolobus, in the Leguminosae family, and has the general structure of galactomannans. The […]

No Picture

What Is Tagatose ?

September 27, 2017 smitsa 0

Tagatose is a naturally occurring simple  sugar and a monosaccharide.  Sweetness: 92% of sucrose Calorific value: 1.5 kcal/g It belongs to the carbohydrate family and is […]

Beta-cyclodextrin molecule. Cyclodextrins are used in pharmaceuticals, food, deodorizing products, etc. Composed of glucose molecules. Skeletal formula.

What Are Cyclodextrins?

January 8, 2014 smitsa 0

Cyclodextrins are approved for use as encapsulating agents in many food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. For a number of years they were not used extensively […]

No Picture

The Biosynthesis Of Starch

August 8, 2010 smitsa 0

Plants are unique in many respects but one feature of their biochemistry and metabolism in particular is the synthesis of starch. It comes really from […]

Woman making blood donation at hospital, closeup. Blood may be bulked with dextran.

Dextran

April 10, 2005 smitsa 0

Dextran is a generic term for a family of complex branched  glucans which are glucopolysaccharides. They are prepared by the polymerization of the α-d-glucopyranosyl moiety […]