Abstract: Thermo-irreversible aqueous gels are prepared by subjecting a gellable combination of xanthan gum and a glucomannan gum, preferably from the corms of an Amorphophallus species at a pH above 6 to a heat treatment under conditions of temperature and time to cause the gel to become thermo irreversible. The pH is preferably between 6 and 10 and more especially between 6 and 8. The preferred ratio of xanthan gum to glucomannan is in the range of from 5:95 to 95:5, more especially 1:10 to 10:1 and the preferred concentration of xanthan gum and glucomannan in the aqueous phase is 0.02% to 6%, more preferably 0.5 to 4%, by weight. The thermo irreversible gels of the invention, with the inclusion of food materials, such as minced meat, fruit and vegetables, simulate the texture of natural meat offals and other food structures.

Abstract: A gellable composition comprises a mixture of (1) gellan, (2) xanthan gum, and (3) a galactomannan and/or glucomannan gum capable of producing a gel in combination with xanthan gum, especially carob, tara, cassia or konjac gum, wherein the ratio by weight range of (1):[(2)+(3)] is 1:.gtoreq.2.

Abstract: A structured food or animal feed product comprises a gel formed by the interaction of water soluble components of Chinese grass with amylose or high amylose starch having an amylose content not below 25% by weight. In making the product the amylose or high amylose starch is mixed and allowed to interact in an aqueous medium with water soluble components of Chinese grass, with the optional inclusion of other nutritious material, whereby a gellable mixture is produced, which is formed into solid pieces.