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

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as thermal gel and gellan as cold gel have been elucidated and inves-tigated. 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 degrees C and generally in weak gel state at 20 degrees 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.