Introduction to the application of food additive galactomannan.
Galactomannan is a natural polymer polysaccharide, which is widely used in food, medicine, agriculture and other fields due to its unique physicochemical properties and physiological functions. In the food industry, galactomannan has important application value as a food additive. In this article, the characteristics, preparation methods and applications of galactomannan in the food industry will be introduced.
1. Characteristics of galactomannan.
Galactomannan is a polymer polysaccharide composed of mannose and galactose linked by -1,4 glycosidic bonds. It has the characteristics of hydrophilicity, viscosity, stability, edibility, low calorie and low fat, so it has a good application prospect in the food industry.
2. Preparation method of galactomannan.
The preparation methods of galactomannan mainly include extraction method and fermentation method. The extraction method is to extract galactomannan from natural plants, but this method is expensive and inefficient. The fermentation method uses glucose as raw material to obtain galactomannan through microbial fermentation, which has the advantages of low cost, high yield, and easy separation and purification.
3. Application of galactomannan in food industry.
1.Thickener: Galactomannan has good thickening properties, which can improve the viscosity of food and improve the taste and texture of food. Therefore, it is widely used in the preparation of foods such as yogurt, jam, salad dressing, etc.
2.Stabilizer: Galactomannan has good stability, which can effectively stabilize the suspended particles and proteins in food, and prevent precipitation and stratification in food. Therefore, it is widely used in the preparation of food products such as fruit juices, beverages, and dairy products.
3.Emulsifier: Galactomannan has good emulsifying properties, which can reduce the surface tension of the oil-water interface, promote the mixing of oil and water, and improve the emulsification stability of food. Therefore, it is widely used in the preparation of food products such as margarine, mayonnaise, etc.
4.Nutritional enhancer: Galactomannan has a low calorie and fat content and can be added to foods as a nutritional enhancer to meet the nutritional needs of special populations. For example, it can be used as a food additive for diabetics to reduce the glycemic response of food.
5.Antimicrobial agent: galactomannan has antibacterial properties, which can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria in food and prolong the shelf life of food. Therefore, it is widely used in the preparation of canned food, condiments and other foods.
4. ConclusionsGalactomannan has a wide range of application prospects as a food additive. Its thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, nutrient fortification and antibacterial properties make it have important application value in the food industry. With the improvement of people's food safety and health requirements, galactomannan will be more widely used as a natural and healthy food additive. Food processing aids