Effects of Acid and Salt Solutions on the Pasting, Rheology and Texture of Lotus Root Starch–Konjac Glucomannan Mixture

To explore the functional properties of mixed biopolymer systems affected by acid and salts. The effects of acid and salt solutions (i.e., NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) on the pasting, rheology, texture and microstructure of lotus root starch–konjac glucomannan (LRS/KGM) mixtures were assessed. Acid (citric acid buffer) treatment worsened the pasting (except for breakdown viscosity), rheological (except for fluid index), and textural properties, thereby inhibiting retrogradation, weakening pseudoplasticity and thickening, and reducing mixture viscoelasticity. Furthermore, it led to destructive ruptures and large pores in the internal microstructure. Salt treatment worsened the pasting properties (except for setback viscosity), thus inhibiting retrogradation and weakening pseudoplasticity, but enhanced the rheological properties, improving thickening and fluctuating viscoelasticity of the mixture. Moreover, salt addition decreased the hardness while increasing mixture cohesiveness, and modified the elasticity, adhesiveness and internal microstructure in a salt type- and concentration-dependent manner. A salt solution concentration of 0.5 mol/L NaCl, 0.1 mol/L KCl, and 0.5 mol/L CaCl2 led to the mixture with the best texture and gel network.