TWL+Gelatin

__**GELATIN**__

Question 1) In recent years a lot of efforts have been initiated to find new alternatives for gelatin? Why?

Answer: Gelatin is an animal protein, made from pigskins, cattle bones, and cattle hides. Gelatin has always been an issue with respect to halal haram. Since it is made from pigskins, it is consider non-halal for the muslim and is prohibited to be consumed by muslims. However, gelatin is widely used in food industry as it has many functional properties in food applications such as a gelling agent, a thickener, an emulsifier, a whipping agent, a stabilizer, and substance that imparts a smooth mouth feel to foods. Thus, it is quite impossible to manufacture a desired food without the addition of gelatin. In order to solve this issue, food technologists have been working on it to come out with an alternative with the same functional propertrapsties to substitute gelatin.

Question 2) Gelatin is always considered a special/unique ingredient that find many applications in food and non-food industry. Why?

Answer: Gelatin is **freely soluble in hot water**. In fact, it is the only natural protein that can **produce clear and thermo-reversible gel when it is combined with water.** Thic functional prepertiy of gelatin is very IMPORTANT. Gelatin has another unique preperty, that is, it can **melt at body tempearture while it is in the gel form.** Gelatin is almsot **flavourless and odourless**. It is used to **mask tastes and odours in pharmaceutical field**. Gelatin is also a **flavour or fragrance carrier**. It will released flavour or fragrance whenever it is desired.

Question 3) Do you think fish gelatin can be used to replace mammalian gelatin (porcine and bovine)?

Answer: I would say that fish gelatin is able to replace mammalian gelatin, but only to a certain extend.