Rheological behaviors and texture properties of semi-interpenetrating networks of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and gellan

Abstract Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as thermal gel and gellan as cold gel have been elucidated and investigated. However, there are few reports on gel systems containing both HPMC and gellan. Herein, we investigated the rheological behaviors and texture properties of temperature-dependent semi-interpenetrating networks of HPMC and gellan. It was found that the semi-interpenetrating networks of HPMC and gellan presented in strong gel state at 50 °C and generally in weak gel state at 20 °C. As concentrations of gellan increased from 0 to 0.15% in the aqueous systems with 20% HPMC, the G′ and G″ of the systems, and the hardness, fracturability and adhesiveness of the gels as well as tensile strength of the films all increased. The semi-interpenetrating networks of HPMC and gellan have more adjustable and enhanced rheological behaviors and texture properties compared with HPMC alone.