Stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents are extracted from a variety of natural raw materials and incorporated into foods to give the structure, flow, stability and eating qualities desired by consumers. These additives include traditional materials such as starch, a thickener obtained from many land plants; gelatine, an animal by-product giving characteristic melt-in-the-mouth gels; and cellulose, the most abundant structuring polymer in land plants. Seed gums and other materials derived from sea plants extend the range of polymers. Recently-approved additives include the microbial polysaccharides of xanthan, gellan and pullulan. This book is a highly practical guide to the use of polymers in food technology to stabilise, thicken and gel foods, resulting in consistent, high quality products. The information is designed to be easy to read and assimilate. New students will find chapters presented in a standard format, enabling key points to be located quickly. Those with more experience will be able to compare and contrast different materials and gain a greater understanding of the interactions that take place during food production. This concise, modern review of hydrocolloid developments will be a valuable teaching resource and reference text for all academic and practical workers involved in hydrocolloids in particular, and food development and production in general.

Thickening and gelling agents are invaluable for providing high quality foods with consistent properties, shelf stability and good consumer appeal and acceptance. Modern lifestyles and consumer demands are expected to increase the requirements for these products. Traditionally, starch and gelatin have been used to provide the desired textural properties in foods. Large-scale processing technology places greater demands on the thickeners and gelling agents employed. Modified starches and specific qualities of gelatin are required, together with exudate and seed gums, seaweed extracts and, most recently, microbial polysaccharides, to improve product mouthfeel properties, handling, and stability characteristics. These hydrocolloids have been established as valuable food additives as a result of extensive practical experience with different products. Nevertheless, the last few years have produced much additional research data from sophisticated new analytical methods. Information on the fine structure of these complex molecules has given a tremendous insight into the three-dimensional conformation of hydro colloids and their behaviour in solution. Critical components within the biopolymer have been identified which provide particular thickening, suspending, stabilising, emulsifying and gelling properties. Contributions for this book have been provided by senior development managers and scientists from the major hydrocolloid suppliers in the US and Europe. The wealth of practical experience within this industry, together with chemical, structural and functional data, has been collated to provide an authoritative and balanced view of the commercially significant thickening and gelling agents in major existing and potential food applications.

The Chemistry of Food Additives and Preservatives is an up-to-date reference guide on the range of different types of additives (both natural and synthetic) used in the food industry today. It looks at the processes involved in inputting additives and preservatives to foods, and the mechanisms and methods used. The book contains full details about the chemistry of each major class of food additive, showing the reader not just what kind of additives are used and what their functions are, but also how they work and how they can have multiple functionalities. In addition, this book covers numerous new additives currently being introduced, and an explanation of how the quality of these is ascertained and how consumer safety is ensured.

Advances in Dairy Product Science & Technology offers a comprehensive review of the most innovative scientific knowledge in the dairy food sector. Edited and authored by noted experts from academic and industry backgrounds, this book shows how the knowledge from strategic and applied research can be utilized by the commercial innovation of dairy product manufacture and distribution. Topics explored include recent advances in the dairy sector, such as raw materials and milk processing, environmental impact, economic concerns and consumer acceptance. The book includes various emerging technologies applied to milk and starter cultures sources, strategic options for their use, their characterization, requirements, starter growth and delivery and other ingredients used in the dairy industry. The text also outlines a framework on consumer behavior that can help to determine quality perception of food products and decision-making. Consumer insight techniques can help support the identification of market opportunities and represent a useful mean to test product prototypes before final launch. This comprehensive resource: Assesses the most innovative scientific knowledge in the dairy food sector Reviews the latest technological developments relevant for dairy companies Covers new advances across a range of topics including raw material processing, starter cultures for fermented products, processing and packaging Examines consumer research innovations in the dairy industry Written for dairy scientists, other dairy industry professionals, government agencies, educators and students, Advances in Dairy Product Science & Technology includes vital information on the most up-to-date and scientifically sound research in the field.

Cellulose and its derivatives can be found in many forms in nature and is a valuable material for all manner of applications in industry. This book is authored by an expert with many years of experience as an application engineer at renowned cellulose processing companies in the food industry. All the conventional and latest knowledge available on cellulose and its derivatives is presented. The necessary details are elucidated from a theoretical and practical viewpoint, while retaining the focus on food applications. This book is an essential source of information and includes recommendations and instructions of a general nature to assist readers in the exploration of possible applications of cellulose and its derivatives, as well as providing food for thought for the generation of new ideas for product development. Topics include gelling and rheological properties, synergistic effects with other hydrocolloids, as well as nutritional and legal aspects. The resulting compilation covers all the information and advice needed for the successful development, implementation, and handling of cellulose-containing products.

Fats are present in some form in the vast majority of processed foods we consume, as well as in many ‘natural’ products. Changes in consumer behaviour, centered around an increased emphasis on healthy food consumption, mean that it is more important than ever for food scientists to understand the properties, roles and behaviours that fats play in food and in diets. Fats in Food Technology, Second Edition is an in-depth examination of the roles and behaviours of fats in food technology and the benefits that they impart to consumers. It considers both fats that are naturally present in foods (such as milk fat in cheese) and fats that have been added to improve physical, chemical and organoleptic properties (like cocoa butter in chocolate). Newly revised and updated, the book contains useful information on the market issues that have driven change and the disciplines that have helped to regulate the trade and use of fats and oils in food technology. Drawing on the recent literature as well as the personal R&D experiences of the authors, the book highlights those areas where potential efficiencies in processing and economy in the cost of raw materials can be made. Issues concerning health, diet and lifestyle are covered in dedicated chapters. This book will be useful to anyone in industry and research establishments who has an interest in the technology of fat-containing food products, including scientists in the dairy, spreads, bakery, confectionery and wider food industries, as well those involved in the production of edible oils.

The latest volume in the successful Special Publication Series captures the most recent research findings in the field of food hydrocolloids. The impressive list of contributions from international experts includes topics such as: * Hydrocolloids as dietary fibre * The role of hydrocolloids in controlling the microstructure of foods * The characterisation of hydrocolloids * Rheological properties * The influence of hydrocolloids on emulsion stability * Low moisture systems * Applications of hydrocolloids in food products Gums and Stabilisers for the Food Industry 12, with its wide breadth of coverage, will be of great value to all who research, produce, process or use hydrocolloids, both in industry and academia.