Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels

This study systematically evaluated the effects of pH (4–10) on the gelation properties, structural characteristics, and in vitro digestion–fermentation behavior of fish gelatin (FG, 6% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)) hydrogels combined with either xanthan gum (XG, 0.07% (<i>w<...

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Main Authors: Wanyi Sun, Qiuyu Lu, Jiajing Chen, Xinxin Fan, Shengnan Zhan, Wenge Yang, Tao Huang, Fulai Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2631
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author Wanyi Sun
Qiuyu Lu
Jiajing Chen
Xinxin Fan
Shengnan Zhan
Wenge Yang
Tao Huang
Fulai Li
author_facet Wanyi Sun
Qiuyu Lu
Jiajing Chen
Xinxin Fan
Shengnan Zhan
Wenge Yang
Tao Huang
Fulai Li
author_sort Wanyi Sun
collection DOAJ
description This study systematically evaluated the effects of pH (4–10) on the gelation properties, structural characteristics, and in vitro digestion–fermentation behavior of fish gelatin (FG, 6% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)) hydrogels combined with either xanthan gum (XG, 0.07% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)) or κ-carrageenan (κC, 0.07% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)). The results revealed that the gel strength, hardness, and chewiness of the composite gels initially increased (pH 4–6) and subsequently decreased with rising pH levels. This trend correlated with the formation of a dense gel network structure. Furthermore, as pH increased, in vitro digestibility showed a similar pH-dependent trend, with FG–XG demonstrating superior enhancement compared to FG–κC. The addition of XG and κC resulted in increased gas production and a decreased pH during fermentation. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that both FG–XG and FG–κC improved the abundances of <i>Proteobacteria</i> and <i>Bacteroidete</i> while reducing <i>Firmicutes</i>. Compared to FG–XG and FG, FG–κC promoted higher levels of the genera <i>Lachnospiraceae</i> and <i>Bacteroides</i>, suggesting a more favorable impact on intestinal health. These findings provide valuable insights into the pH-responsive functional properties of FG-based hydrogels and their potential applications in designing novel food matrices with enhanced nutritional and probiotic attributes.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2304-8158
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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spelling doaj-art-04443a1b67c140ff93af2dbae7f9aaef2025-08-20T03:36:35ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011415263110.3390/foods14152631Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide HydrogelsWanyi Sun0Qiuyu Lu1Jiajing Chen2Xinxin Fan3Shengnan Zhan4Wenge Yang5Tao Huang6Fulai Li7Zhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaZhejiang–Malaysia Joint Research Laboratory for Agricultural Product Processing and Nutrition, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaInstitute of Drug Discovery Technology, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, ChinaThis study systematically evaluated the effects of pH (4–10) on the gelation properties, structural characteristics, and in vitro digestion–fermentation behavior of fish gelatin (FG, 6% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)) hydrogels combined with either xanthan gum (XG, 0.07% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)) or κ-carrageenan (κC, 0.07% (<i>w</i>/<i>v</i>)). The results revealed that the gel strength, hardness, and chewiness of the composite gels initially increased (pH 4–6) and subsequently decreased with rising pH levels. This trend correlated with the formation of a dense gel network structure. Furthermore, as pH increased, in vitro digestibility showed a similar pH-dependent trend, with FG–XG demonstrating superior enhancement compared to FG–κC. The addition of XG and κC resulted in increased gas production and a decreased pH during fermentation. Intestinal microbiota analysis revealed that both FG–XG and FG–κC improved the abundances of <i>Proteobacteria</i> and <i>Bacteroidete</i> while reducing <i>Firmicutes</i>. Compared to FG–XG and FG, FG–κC promoted higher levels of the genera <i>Lachnospiraceae</i> and <i>Bacteroides</i>, suggesting a more favorable impact on intestinal health. These findings provide valuable insights into the pH-responsive functional properties of FG-based hydrogels and their potential applications in designing novel food matrices with enhanced nutritional and probiotic attributes.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2631fish gelatinxanthan gumκ-carrageenangelling propertiesin vitro digestibilityintestinal microbial
spellingShingle Wanyi Sun
Qiuyu Lu
Jiajing Chen
Xinxin Fan
Shengnan Zhan
Wenge Yang
Tao Huang
Fulai Li
Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
Foods
fish gelatin
xanthan gum
κ-carrageenan
gelling properties
in vitro digestibility
intestinal microbial
title Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
title_full Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
title_fullStr Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
title_full_unstemmed Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
title_short Influences of pH on Gelling and Digestion–Fermentation Properties of Fish Gelatin–Polysaccharide Hydrogels
title_sort influences of ph on gelling and digestion fermentation properties of fish gelatin polysaccharide hydrogels
topic fish gelatin
xanthan gum
κ-carrageenan
gelling properties
in vitro digestibility
intestinal microbial
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2631
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