pairs of calcium / magnesium ions are particularly sensitive

Gellan gum is a linear polymer , when the presence of electrolytes , when the gel may be formed . It calcium / magnesium ions are particularly sensitive to divalent ions with calcium and magnesium ion source to make a gel formed than with sodium and potassium so much more effective monovalent ions ,Ethyl lactate and potassium can also lead to gel , but the required concentration of divalent ions than about 25 times , and the type of the gel is reversible ! If for dissolving the gellan gum water, or have been added already contains a certain amount of ions, especially divalent ions such as calcium and magnesium , even by heating to 100 degrees it is difficult to fully hydrated gellan gum . so generally the first gellan gum in deionized water and heated to 70 - 75 degrees of hydration , and at this temperature or greater than the temperature of the electrolyte is added , it will not form a gel fashion , has been cooled to 30-50 degrees, can only form a gel , a ferrous lactate concentration is most suitable 4-6MMOL, which species not melt the gel and then heated , if you want the gellan gum was dissolved in tap water containing no inorganic salts , especially calcium carbonate content of more than 180PPM hard water , the water must be added to reduce the effective chelating calcium ion concentration , such as sodium citrate or sodium hydrogen citrate . chelating agent can prevent the gellan gum with water calcium and magnesium ions to form complexes.