| 摘要 |
To prepare a textured foodstuff or animal food, an aqueous mixture which contains nutrient components and an ionic gelling agent is prepared. A gel is produced in the mixture by reacting the gelling agent with a non-toxic divalent or polyvalent metal ion, either by means of directly treating discrete particles of the mixture in a solution which contains the abovementioned ions, or by including the abovementioned ions in the mixture. The mixture is frozen slowly so that not less than 2 hours elapse before the mixture is frozen completely. Ice crystals are formed in the mixture, resulting in a fibrous, layer-like or strip-like structure. This structure is sufficiently stable to allow the product to be processed for example by sterilising or canning, even on an industrial scale. |
