Solution and gelling properties of gellan benzyl esters

Gellan benzyl esters of different degrees of esterification were prepared, and their gelation behavior was examined. Native gellan and gellan benzyl ester aqueous solutions and the ensuing aqueous gels obtained by cooling their solutions with added salt were studied by means of rheological and small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. Although esterification causes no fundamental changes in the gellan ordered structure, the introduction of bulky benzyl ester groups reduces the backbone propensity of double-helix formation and subsequent helix-helix association (gelation). In consequence, gellan-based gels become less stable both mechanically and thermally with esterification.