Stability of whipped dairy creams containing locust bean gum/λ-carrageenan mixtures during freezing–thawing processes

Abstract

The role of locust bean gum (LBG)-λ-carrageenan mixtures on the stability of whipped dairy creams in freezing-thawing processes was analysed as a function of the gum concentration (between 0 and 0.1% w/w). DSC analysis of ice crystallisation in the cream aqueous phase was carried out in order to know the influence of the hydrocolloid ratio on freezable water content. From this analysis, a potential cryostabiliser effect of whey proteins could be deduced since they provoked an increase in the T m′ value. Changes in overrun, viscoelastic behaviour (creep compliance parameters) and stiffness (extrusion test) due to freezing–thawing and frozen storage (1 month at −18 °C) of the whipped cream were analysed in samples. Freezing provoked collapse of the foam structure, but samples containing λ-carrageenan at concentration greater than 0.085% showed a well preserved firmness, as deduced from the small changes observed in their viscoelastic parameters. The λ-carrageenan cryoprotection mechanism is not based on the freezable water content reduction since this value was similar for all gum mixtures.