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Abstract This article reported the gelation and microstructural properties of scallop male gonads hydrolysates (SMGHs) in the presence of κ-Carrageenan (κ-C) and treated or untreated with potassium chloride (KCl). The presence of κ-C significantly increased the elastic moduli (10.3–449.5 Pa) and melting temperature (32.7–46.7 °C) of SMGHs. The decrease in the relaxation time (T 21 , T 23) signified the strong binding between SMGHs and κ-C. The blue shift in the amide I and II peals coupled with a new band of 1159 cm−1 in SMGHs/κ-C further demonstrated the electrostatic interactions between SMGHs and κ-C. κ-C rose the percentage of β-sheets from 28.10% to 35.93% but at the expense of α-helix and β-turn fractions and highly ebbed the intrinsic fluorescence of SMGHs. Such scenarios resulted in a more compact network formation and flocculation of κ-C chains. The salt-treatment to κ-C promoted helical formation, however, presence of SMGHs created larger interstitial spaces in the κ-C network due to aggregates of SMGHs and decreased the overall gel strength. The outcome promises novel opportunities in the design and development of functional hydrogels based on protein and polysaccharide complexes for food, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Graphical abstract Image 1 • Synergistic effectongelation occursbetweenκ-carrageenan(κ-C)and SMGHs. • Synergistic effect of κ-C on SMGHs may be attributed to the water migration in gel system. • Positive patches of SMGHs and sulfate groups of κ-C entangle by electrostatic interaction. • κ-C-κ-C connections hold the entire networkwhile SMGHsentrapintothisnetwork. • SMGHs appear to create larger interstitial spaces inκC/KClnetwork decreasinggel strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (CaHMB), a functional calcium salt, is used to maintain and improve muscle health. Here, a new hydrogel material prepared from alginate (ALG) with three M/G ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 1:2) and CaHMB (0–2 mg/mL) was investigated. CaHMB regulates the formation and properties of ALG hydrogels through chelation and hydrogen bonding. When the M/G ratio was 2:1, the anionic groups of CaHMB containing carboxyl and hydroxyl groups formed hydrogen bonds with the polysaccharide chains, hindering the capture of Ca2+ by the G-residue fragments of ALG, which in turn retarded the gelation process. The noncalcium cross-linked polysaccharide chain structure of ALG and the anionic group of CaHMB also affected the water distribution in the hydrogel, especially when M residue content ≥G residue content. Lower M/G ratios and higher CaHMB concentrations could increase the number of "egg box" crosslinking junctions of calcium alginate, and the microstructure was denser in the gel pores, resulting in a stronger gel strength and more free water bound in the gel matrix. This study provides a theoretical and methodological basis for the design of novel hydrogels by studying the crosslinking features of ALG/CaHMB. • Alginate and calcium β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (ALG/CaHMB) successfully form gels. • Hydrogen bonds between anionic groups of CaHMB and ALG delay the gel formation. • More guluronate residues enhance the crosslinking density forming denser networks. • Higher CaHMB concentrations promote the formation of more "egg box" structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]