Gum manufacturer TIC Gums has added a new Agaroid RS-520 product to its line of readily soluble agars. TIC Pretested Agaroid RS-520 is a hydrocolloid system that yields flexible, strong gels. This system was developed as a gelatin replacer in confectionery and bakery products. The RS series, including Agar RS-100 and Agaroid RS-30, consists of naturally occurring hydrocolloid derived from red seaweed, and other gelling hydrocolloids. The company claims that the product achieves complete hydration at temperatures as low as 160° F. "Traditional agar, by contrast, must be boiled for between three to five minutes to reach complete hydration during processing," Florian Ward, TIC Gums vice president stated. Agaroid RS-520 requires at least 55 percent total solids and a pH of 3.5 to form gels. The product should be hydrated at 190° F to maximise gel strength. Thefree-flowing powder is off-white in colour with a viscosity at 25 to 70 cP and 6.5 to 9.5 maximum. TIC Gums states that this product is a powerful gelling agent that can be used in bakery gels, glazes, icings, yoghurts and puddings.
