Micellar-casein¯kappa-carrageenan mixtures. I. Phase separation and ultrastructure

The phase behaviour of micellar-casein (MC)¯kappa-carrageenan mixtures was investigated using different ionic forms of the carrageenan (Na+, K+) in different ionic conditions and at two temperatures. At 50°C, that is above the conformational transition temperature of the carrageenan, a macroscopic phase separation was clearly evidenced. Accordingly, ternary phase diagrams were established as a function of the biopolymer concentration for each system. By analogy with other particulate systems, it was assumed that this phase separation originated from a depletion¯flocculation mechanism.