During the strain sweep test (data not shown), G0 and G00
remained constant up to 2% strain for all the samples, thus defining
the limit of their linear viscoelastic region. Beyond this limit, the
induced stresses became destructive, and the gels structure was
progressively destroyed. At low strain levels, G0 always exceeded
G00, suggesting elastic behavior of the investigated gels. As reported
by Cappa et al. (2013), the heating/cooling treatments occurring
during gel formation inside the Brabender® MicroViscoAmylograph
induced the networking of the gelatinized
starch from an amorphous state to a crystalline form, characterized
by a higher resistance to deformations.