5.1 IntroductionFor many centuries, red seaweeds have been used for foods in the Far East and Europe.Different species of Rhodophycae contain naturally occurring polysaccharides which fillthe voids within the cellulose structure of the plant. This family of polysaccharidesinclude carrageenan, furcellaran and agar. These polymers have a backbone of galactosebut differ in the proportion and location of ester sulfate groups and the proportion of 3,6-anhydrogalactose. The differences in composition and conformation produce a widerange of rheological properties which are utilised in a large number of foods.Different carrageenans cover a wide spectrum of rheological behaviour going from aviscous thickener to thermally reversible gels which range in texture from soft and elasticto firm and brittle. Kappa carrageenan is able to interact synergistically with other gums,such as locust bean gum and konjac mannan, to modify further the gel texture. A specificinteraction between kappa carrageenan and kappa casein is widely used to stabilise dairyproducts.
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