FoodNet

Experimental cookery

1932

Page 7

Presented as published in 1932. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
cooking, and they may become mushy and disintegrate. This is probably due to the greater dispersion of the cellulose and pectic substances. In dried legumes, alkalies may also increase the disintegration of some of the protein. Milk is prevented from curdling or coagulating by the addition of alkali. Curdling is a lessened dispersion of the milk protein, casein. The addition of alkalies to eggs elevates the temperature for coagulation. Alkalies added to doughs cause a greater degree of dispersion of the gluten, which results in a dough that is runny and sticky to handle. In larger quantities the bak- ing quality of the flour is partially destroyed. Alkalies added to gelatin tend to prevent its setting, and they may cause greater dispersion in emul- sions. Dispersion by enzymes. Enzymes may also cause an increased or lessened degree of dispersion in foods. The clotting of milk upon the ad- dition of rennin is an example of lessened dispersion, but the proteinase enzyme in flour increases the dispersion of the gluten. Classification and Properties of Colloids Based upon Physico-Chemical Relationships in Liquids Each colloidal solution as w^ell as each true solution has its own peculiar properties. These depend upon the nature of the particles in solution and the dispersing medium. But a large group of colloidal systems may have similar properties, and for convenience they are classified in a group or subdivision. The classification of colloidal systems into groups is not always satisfactory, for there is no distinct line of demarcation between the different subdivisions. Ostwald, Freundlich, Gortner, and Buchanan and Fulmer give excellent discussions of the properties of colloidal systems which are of interest to those concerned with food preparation. Suspensoids and emulsoids. One basis for classification of colloidal systems is the nature of the dispersed phase. In a suspensoid the dispersed particles are in a solid state. In an emulsoid the dispersed particles are in a liquid state. Many authorities classify suspensoids and lyophobes, emulsoids and lyophiles, as being coextensive, but Freundlich states that this is in- correct, for there are many emulsoids with lyophobic properties. Reversible and irreversible colloids. If after a colloidal solution is evaporated, a sol is reformed upon the addition of water, the colloid is classified as a reversible colloid. Gelatin and dried egg white are examples of this type of colloid. An irreversible colloid does not spontaneously form a sol with the addition of water, after water has been evaporated. Re- versible and hydrophilic colloids are coextensive; irreversible and hydro- phobic colloids belong to similar groups. Sols and gels. Colloidal solutions are also classified upon the basis of their consistency. Those which are apparently solutions are called sols. Those with a jelly-like consistency are called gels. The consistency of fruit jelly or a gelatin dessert is that of a typical gel. There is no distinct line SWELLING OF COLLOIDAL GELS 7