Characterization of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) powder and corn starch composite gels as dysphagia diet

In the present study, the effects of corn starch (CS) on the properties of Chinese shrimp (Fenneropenaeus chinensis) powder (SP) were characterized to explore the feasibility of developing dysphagia diet. The SP/CS gels were prepared by adding CS at different concentrations. The SP/CS mixture presented low gel properties at CS concentrations ranging from 12-48 mg/mL, but did demonstrate gelation behavior with the highest G' value of 1134.2 Pa and a water holding capacity of 90% at 60 mg/mL. As the CS concentration increased, the stability of the SP/CS mixture also improved, as evidenced by the significantly reduced relaxation times T22 and T23, enhanced gel network formation, and the presence of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions between SP and CS. Furthermore, the international dysphagia diet standardisation initiative (IDDSI) swallowing level of the SP/CS mixtures were 2, 3, 4, and 5 at CS concentrations of 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 mg/ml, respectively. The SP/CS-60 mixture gel was considered suitable for dysphagia patients. These findings suggest that the gel properties of SP can be modified by CS, and that the SP/CS mixture gels have the potential to be used as a texture-modified diet with high-quality protein for dysphagia patients.