| abstract |
The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing a gelled aqueous composition, which process employs a gel-forming globular protein such as whey protein, ovalbumin or soy protein. More particularly the present invention concerns a process for preparing a product comprising a gelled aqueous composition, said composition containing at least 50 wt.% water, wherein the process comprises: a. preparing an aqueous solution of a gel-forming globular protein comprising at least 3%, preferably at least 4.5% of the globular protein by weight of water; b. if necessary, adjusting the pH of the solution to at least 1 unit above the iso-electric point of the globular protein; c. heating and/or pressurising said aqueous solution so as to obtain a suspension of aggregates of the globular protein, which aggregates have a number weighted average particle size in the range of 10-300 nanometers, preferably in the range of 15-200 nanometers; d. optionally, diluting the suspension to a concentration of at least 1% globular protein by weight of water; e. inoculating the suspension with a micro-organism capable of acidifying the suspension; f. fermenting the suspension with the micro-organism so as to reduce the pH by at least 0.5 units to between 1 unit above and 1.5 units below the iso-electric point of the globular protein, preferably to between 0.8 units above and 1.0 unit below the iso-electric point. The invention also relates to products obtainable by the above process. |