Carrageenans are widely used as thickening and gelling agents in
a variety of dairy products and therefore k-carrageenan was chosen
for formation of mixed gels with whey proteins. Gelation of
k-carrageenan occurs upon cooling in a two step process, involving
a coilehelix transition, followed by aggregation and network
formation. A gel matrix is formed by junction zones between individual
helices in the presence of appropriate cations (Morris, Rees, &
Robinson,1980). The physical properties of carrageenan gels depend
on the type and concentration of cations in the solution, heating and
cooling rates, as well as the polymer concentration (Imeson, 2000).
Mixtures of k-carrageenan and whey proteins are ideal for generating
a range of gel structures since both biopolymers are capable of
independent gelation (Ould Eleya & Turgeon, 2000b).