Structure and dynamics of fibrous calcium caseinate gels studied by neutron scattering

In the past decades, neutron scattering techniques have been applied to many soft matter systems and have yielded fruitful results that contribute to a better understanding of their properties. Yet, the techniques were rarely used for studying food materials, probably because they are less well known and less accessible to food scientists. This...

Small angle neutron scattering quantifies the hierarchical structure in fibrous calcium caseinate

Pronounced fibres are formed through simple shearing of a dense calcium caseinate dispersion. Both mechanical tests and scanning electron microscopy images demonstrate that the material is anisotropic. It is hypothesised that calcium caseinate aggregates, under shear, align into micro-fibres and bundle further into a hierarchical structure....

Understanding the role of air and protein phase on mechanical anisotropy of calcium caseinate fibers

Calcium caseinate dispersions can be transformed into anisotropic, fibrous materials using the concept of shear-induced structuring. The aim of this study is to further investigate the relative importance of air bubbles and protein on the mechanical anisotropy of calcium caseinate material. In this study, the effect of air on mechanical...

Fibre formation in calcium caseinate influenced by solvent isotope effect and drying method – A neutron spectroscopy study

We present an investigation of the dynamics of calcium caseinate as a function of hydration, solvent isotope (H₂O and D₂O) and drying methods (roller drying and spray drying), using quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS). These factors are key to the formation of fibres in this material which makes it a potential...