Method for using glycol additives to texturally modify natural gum hydrogels

A method for strengthening a hydrogel of a naturally-occurring gelling agent, or a derivative thereof, comprising the steps of:

• providing a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, konjac flour and a combination thereof;
• hydrating said gelling agent;
• adding a glycol to said gelling agent, said glycol being a member selected from the group consisting of:
• HO—[C(R1)(R2)—C(R3)(R4)]—OH,
• wherein,
• R1, R2, R3, R4 are capable of being —H in all four positions,
• or H in 0, 1, 2, 3 positions and —CH3 or —C2H5 in any or all of the non-H occupied positions to produce a hydrogel mixture;
• heating said hydrogel mixture;
• and,
• returning said hydrogel mixture to ambient temperature,
• thereby producing a strengthened hydrogel.

A method for strengthening a hydrogel of a naturally-occurring gelling agent, or a derivative thereof, comprising the steps of:

• providing a gelling agent selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum, konjac flour and a combination thereof;
• hydrating said gelling agent;
• adding a glycol to said gelling agent, said glycol being a member selected from the group consisting of 1,2-propylene glycol and its ether derivatives, having only secondary alcohol groups, having a chemical structure of:
• R5O—CH2—CH(CH3)—OR6,
• wherein,
• either or both R5 and R6 are H or —CH2—CH(OH)—CH3, and a combination thereof, to produce a hydrogel mixture;
• heating said hydrogel mixture;
• and,
• returning said hydrogel mixture to ambient temperature,
• thereby producing a strengthened hydrogel.