The influence of atomization process to produce j-carrageenan and j-carrageenan/sodium caseinate
microgels was studied experimentally (aspect ratio and particle size distribution) and theoretically
(dimensionless parameters). Moreover, rheological behavior of microgel suspensions was evaluated to
examine their potential application in food products. Experimental results demonstrated that the size
of microgels was influenced by feed flow rate, compressed air flow rate and composition of solutions,
while their shape depended on the viscosity and surface tension of biopolymer solutions. Regarding
the dimensionless numbers, higher values of Reynolds number of liquid layer (Rekl) and Weber number
(Wel) led to smaller particles, while the decrease of Ohnesorge number (Oh) was related to lower sphericity
of microgels. Rheological behavior of suspensions depended on not only the morphology and size of
microgels, but also their composition. Incompatibility between j-carrageenan and sodium caseinate in
mixed microgels led to suspensions with more complex rheological behavior at determined biopolymer
concentrations.