Einfluss thermischer und mechanischer Beanspruchung im Mahlprozess von Gallactomannan Samenkernen auf Löslichkeit und Dickungseigenschaften resultierender Pulverprodukte (PROGAL)

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 8921.1;5 PFLS-LS

Short description (English)

Einfluss thermischer und mechanischer Beanspruchung im Mahlprozess von Gallactomannan Samenkernen auf Löslichkeit und Dickungseigenschaften resultierender Pulverprodukte (PROGAL)

Abstract (English)

Galactomannan polysaccharides are long-chain macromolecules used as emulsion stabilizers, thickeners, and bulking agents in a variety of food formulations and found within the endosperm tissues of seeds of several legume species. Unipektin has empirically found that the solubility and thickening behaviour of carob flour (Ceratonia siliqua L.) can be increased by manipulating the endosperm hydration state throughout a specific new milling procedure. Because conven-tional milling produces a flour with limited cold-water solubility and thickening ability, this is a potentially beneficial property that shall be exploited in future products. The origin of this solubility/thickening enhancement is not understood, but we hypothesize that morphological and/or chemical changes play a major role. The purpose of this project is to investigate the changes in morphology of carob endosperms throughout its entire processing route. The goal is to isolate the process factors responsible for solubility improvement, and to assess the effects of these chemical and structural changes on the equilibrium solubility and dissolution kinetics. Based on a feasibility study we expect that the mechanical and thermal energy input during a newly designed milling process play major roles. A mill with exchangeable geometries will be constructed in order to examine the process in detail, make comparisons with the industrial process and derive optimization rules for tailored processing and new improved products.