Water status of two gelatin gels during storage as determined by magnetic resonance imaging
Journal
Journal of Food and Drug Analysis
Journal Volume
12
Journal Volume
12
Journal Issue
3
Journal Issue
3
Pages
221-227
Start Page
221
End Page
227
ISSN
10219498
Date Issued
2004-09
Author(s)
Chung, Yi-Lin
Abstract
A two-gelatin-gel model system was used to investigate the water status of two gels with different Aw, 0.968 (H-gel) and 0.828 (L-gel), using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. A multi slice-multi echo pulse sequence was applied and the transverse relaxation time (T2) of water protons was calculated. During storage the average T2 values of H-gel decreased, while those of L-gel increased. However, at the end of storage (15 days) when the Aw of two gels were the same, the average T2 values of L-gel were larger than those of H-gel, and heterogeneous T2 values were observed in both gels. This was due to water migration between the two gels and redistribution of water in each gel during storage. The two-gelatin-gel model system and nondestructive MRI technique established in this study offer a good method to monitor moisture redistribution between gels with different Aw and to investigate the water status and structural changes in food systems during storage.
Subjects
Gelatin gel
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Transverse relaxation time (T2)
Water activity (Aw)
Water status
Type
journal article