Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis

Fish gelatin (FG) is a promising alternative to mammalian gelatin but is limited by poor gelling ability, low gel strength, and inability to set at room temperature. This study evaluated the effects of furcellaran (FUR), a gelling agent, on the structural and physicochemical properties of FG gels at...

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Main Authors: Tanyamon Petcharat, Manat Chaijan, Sylvia Indriani, Jaksuma Pongsetkul, Supatra Karnjanapratum, Sitthipong Nalinanon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Gels
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/381
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author Tanyamon Petcharat
Manat Chaijan
Sylvia Indriani
Jaksuma Pongsetkul
Supatra Karnjanapratum
Sitthipong Nalinanon
author_facet Tanyamon Petcharat
Manat Chaijan
Sylvia Indriani
Jaksuma Pongsetkul
Supatra Karnjanapratum
Sitthipong Nalinanon
author_sort Tanyamon Petcharat
collection DOAJ
description Fish gelatin (FG) is a promising alternative to mammalian gelatin but is limited by poor gelling ability, low gel strength, and inability to set at room temperature. This study evaluated the effects of furcellaran (FUR), a gelling agent, on the structural and physicochemical properties of FG gels at different substitution levels (25–100%). The addition of 25% FUR improved gel strength and hardness. However, higher FUR levels (>50%) led to reduced springiness and increased syneresis. Intermolecular force measurements revealed that ionic and hydrogen bonds were crucial in the FG/FUR gel system, with higher levels of FUR promoting stronger ionic and hydrogen bonding. Color changes were observed with decreased <i>L*</i> and increased <i>b*</i> and ∆<i>E*</i> values as FUR levels rose. Gelling and melting points also increased proportionally with FUR content. Microstructural analysis showed denser gel networks with smaller gaps upon FUR incorporation. SAXS analysis confirmed enhanced structural conformation with higher FUR levels. An appropriate level of FUR added (25%) could therefore improve gelling properties via increasing gel strength and gelling temperature without negative effects on springiness and syneresis of resulting gel.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2310-2861
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Gels
spelling doaj-art-10bbb5a679564e2587fefdbb483f81d92025-08-20T03:27:15ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-05-0111638110.3390/gels11060381Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical AnalysisTanyamon Petcharat0Manat Chaijan1Sylvia Indriani2Jaksuma Pongsetkul3Supatra Karnjanapratum4Sitthipong Nalinanon5School of Food Industry, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandFood Technology and Innovation Research Centre of Excellence, School of Agricultural Technology and Food Industry, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, ThailandSchool of Animal Technology and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandSchool of Animal Technology and Innovation, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, ThailandDivision of Marine Product Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, ThailandSchool of Food Industry, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandFish gelatin (FG) is a promising alternative to mammalian gelatin but is limited by poor gelling ability, low gel strength, and inability to set at room temperature. This study evaluated the effects of furcellaran (FUR), a gelling agent, on the structural and physicochemical properties of FG gels at different substitution levels (25–100%). The addition of 25% FUR improved gel strength and hardness. However, higher FUR levels (>50%) led to reduced springiness and increased syneresis. Intermolecular force measurements revealed that ionic and hydrogen bonds were crucial in the FG/FUR gel system, with higher levels of FUR promoting stronger ionic and hydrogen bonding. Color changes were observed with decreased <i>L*</i> and increased <i>b*</i> and ∆<i>E*</i> values as FUR levels rose. Gelling and melting points also increased proportionally with FUR content. Microstructural analysis showed denser gel networks with smaller gaps upon FUR incorporation. SAXS analysis confirmed enhanced structural conformation with higher FUR levels. An appropriate level of FUR added (25%) could therefore improve gelling properties via increasing gel strength and gelling temperature without negative effects on springiness and syneresis of resulting gel.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/381furcellaranfish gelatingelatin substitutegelling propertymicrostructure
spellingShingle Tanyamon Petcharat
Manat Chaijan
Sylvia Indriani
Jaksuma Pongsetkul
Supatra Karnjanapratum
Sitthipong Nalinanon
Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
Gels
furcellaran
fish gelatin
gelatin substitute
gelling property
microstructure
title Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
title_full Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
title_fullStr Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
title_short Modulating Fish Gelatin Gelling Properties Through Furcellaran Addition: A Structural and Physicochemical Analysis
title_sort modulating fish gelatin gelling properties through furcellaran addition a structural and physicochemical analysis
topic furcellaran
fish gelatin
gelatin substitute
gelling property
microstructure
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/6/381
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AT jaksumapongsetkul modulatingfishgelatingellingpropertiesthroughfurcellaranadditionastructuralandphysicochemicalanalysis
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