Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties

This research investigates the influence of inorganic salts on curdlan production, gel strength, molecular weight (Mw), and texture properties, to provide insights into optimizing fermentation conditions. Five different inorganic salts were individually incorporated into the fermentation medium to a...

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Main Authors: Xinyi Zhu, Bowei Yao, Siyang Yue, Zhongyi Chang, Xuexia Yang, Hongliang Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Gels
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/5/313
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author Xinyi Zhu
Bowei Yao
Siyang Yue
Zhongyi Chang
Xuexia Yang
Hongliang Gao
author_facet Xinyi Zhu
Bowei Yao
Siyang Yue
Zhongyi Chang
Xuexia Yang
Hongliang Gao
author_sort Xinyi Zhu
collection DOAJ
description This research investigates the influence of inorganic salts on curdlan production, gel strength, molecular weight (Mw), and texture properties, to provide insights into optimizing fermentation conditions. Five different inorganic salts were individually incorporated into the fermentation medium to assess their impact. The results showed that FeCl<sub>3</sub> significantly reduced curdlan yield, Mw, and gel quality, indicating its unsuitability for curdlan fermentation. FeSO<sub>4</sub> at 0.01% enhanced yield, gel strength, and texture properties, such as springiness and chewiness, though higher concentrations had adverse effects. MnCl<sub>2</sub> exhibited limited impact on yield, with low concentrations notably decreasing gel strength, hardness, springiness, and chewiness. CoCl<sub>2</sub> was the most effective additive, with a concentration of 0.002% achieving optimal results for yield, Mw, gel strength, and texture, though higher levels diminished these benefits. ZnCl<sub>2</sub> at 0.04% improved gel strength, chewiness, and Mw but had minimal effect on other properties. A correlation (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.5064) was observed between Mw and gel strength, indicating Mw’s critical role in curdlan’s mechanical properties. Overall, CoCl<sub>2</sub> and FeSO<sub>4</sub> at specific concentrations demonstrated potential for enhancing curdlan quality and offered practical insights for tailoring fermentation processes to achieve desired properties in industrial applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-53107e8fdd354fc8b200dc3d5a2d6c3a
institution Kabale University
issn 2310-2861
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Gels
spelling doaj-art-53107e8fdd354fc8b200dc3d5a2d6c3a2025-08-20T03:47:54ZengMDPI AGGels2310-28612025-04-0111531310.3390/gels11050313Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural PropertiesXinyi Zhu0Bowei Yao1Siyang Yue2Zhongyi Chang3Xuexia Yang4Hongliang Gao5College of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, ChinaNingXia Academy of Metrology & Quality Inspection, Yinchuan 750001, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, ChinaCollege of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, ChinaSchool of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, ChinaThis research investigates the influence of inorganic salts on curdlan production, gel strength, molecular weight (Mw), and texture properties, to provide insights into optimizing fermentation conditions. Five different inorganic salts were individually incorporated into the fermentation medium to assess their impact. The results showed that FeCl<sub>3</sub> significantly reduced curdlan yield, Mw, and gel quality, indicating its unsuitability for curdlan fermentation. FeSO<sub>4</sub> at 0.01% enhanced yield, gel strength, and texture properties, such as springiness and chewiness, though higher concentrations had adverse effects. MnCl<sub>2</sub> exhibited limited impact on yield, with low concentrations notably decreasing gel strength, hardness, springiness, and chewiness. CoCl<sub>2</sub> was the most effective additive, with a concentration of 0.002% achieving optimal results for yield, Mw, gel strength, and texture, though higher levels diminished these benefits. ZnCl<sub>2</sub> at 0.04% improved gel strength, chewiness, and Mw but had minimal effect on other properties. A correlation (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.5064) was observed between Mw and gel strength, indicating Mw’s critical role in curdlan’s mechanical properties. Overall, CoCl<sub>2</sub> and FeSO<sub>4</sub> at specific concentrations demonstrated potential for enhancing curdlan quality and offered practical insights for tailoring fermentation processes to achieve desired properties in industrial applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/5/313curdlaninorganic saltsgel strengthtexturemolecular weight
spellingShingle Xinyi Zhu
Bowei Yao
Siyang Yue
Zhongyi Chang
Xuexia Yang
Hongliang Gao
Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
Gels
curdlan
inorganic salts
gel strength
texture
molecular weight
title Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
title_full Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
title_fullStr Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
title_full_unstemmed Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
title_short Effects of Inorganic Salts on Curdlan Production and Structural Properties
title_sort effects of inorganic salts on curdlan production and structural properties
topic curdlan
inorganic salts
gel strength
texture
molecular weight
url https://www.mdpi.com/2310-2861/11/5/313
work_keys_str_mv AT xinyizhu effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties
AT boweiyao effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties
AT siyangyue effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties
AT zhongyichang effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties
AT xuexiayang effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties
AT honglianggao effectsofinorganicsaltsoncurdlanproductionandstructuralproperties