SENSORY AND MECHANICAL ATTRIBUTES OF GEL TEXTURE

Abstract

Eighteen experienced judges evaluated the texture of gels varying in gelatin concentration (22‐45 g/L) in terms of firmness by oral and manual shear and compression, cohesiveness, and extent of breakdown in the mouth. Manual compression and biting with the front teeth discriminated well across gel concentrations. All sensory measures except extent of breakdown increased with gelatin concentration. Instron (IUTM) measurements showed that increasing gelatin concentration resulted in an increase in maximum force and force/deformation, but had little effect on deformation at yield and rupture or in elasticity and cohesiveness. Results from mechanical measurements varied with the type of force applied (compression, shear or puncture), the loading rate (50 or 200 mm/min), and the extent of deformation attained (40–90%). The highest discrimination across gel concentrations was achieved with shear force at a rate of 200 mm/min and at greater deformations. Sensory responses correlated most highly with the following IUTM measurements: (1) Compression forces at yield and at deformations of 70 and 85% at the higher crosshead speed; (2) Compression forces below the yield point at the lower crosshead speed; and (3) Shear forces measured at maximum deformation (90%) at 200 mm/min.