Pectic substances gels, formation

The behaviour of pectic substances in solutions involves both short and long range interactions among all the constituents of the macromolecule as well as interactions with the solvent molecules and the ions in the solutions. The calculations reported here explain the aggregation of PGA chains in acidic media as due to the formation of a network of inter-intra chain hydrogen bonds. Also the gel formation of Na- and Ca-Pectate is well reproduced. 

Sugar in Gels. Pectic substances are treated in detail in this symposium by Joseph. The role of sugar in gel formation is considered to be primarily one of dehydration (54). Sugar and acid both affect gelatinization of starch. Steiner (105) discusses applications to food production. 

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