Rheological Behaviors of Thickened Infant Formula Prepared with Xanthan Gum-Based Food Thickeners for Dysphagic Infants

In this study, the rheological properties of TIF prepared with four commercial food thickeners (coded A –D) were determined as a function of thickener concentration, thickener type, and setting time because the selection of an appropriate food thickener for TIF preparation is necessary for managing dysphagia in infants. The flow and dynamic rheological properties of TIF were investigated at three di fferent concentrations (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0% w/w) of XG-based thickener. The flow properties of TIF were described by the power law and Casson models. All TIF samples demonstrated high shear-thinning (n = 0.12–0.33) behavior at all concentrations (1.0–3.0%). Their apparent viscosity (ηa,50), consistency index (K), yield stress (σoc), storage modulus (G′), and loss modulus (G″) increased with an increase in thickener concentration. In general, TIF with thickener A had much higher values for all flow parameters at each thickener concentration when compared to TIF with other thickeners (B, C, and D). However, then values of TIF samples with thickener A were much lower, indicating that they are less slimy and have better mouthfeel than those of TIF samples with other thickeners. All TIF samples with different thickeners produced different thickening patterns over a setting time. The flow and dynamic rheological parameters demonstrated differences in the rheological behaviors between XG-based thickeners, indicating that their rheological properties are related to the concen...
Source: Dysphagia - Category: Speech Therapy Source Type: research