Quantitative analysis of the phase volume of agarose-canola oil gels in comparison to blending law predictions using 3D imaging based on confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Abstract

Studying the phase behaviour of composite gels facilitates understanding of their structural and textural properties at low and intermediate levels of solids. In this work, the phase behaviour of a model system of agarose including various concentrations of canola oil was studied. This was pursued using a variety of techniques including SEM, FTIR, microDSC and dynamic oscillation in-shear. The structural studies recorded strong, continuous agarose networks supporting soft, discontinuous canola oil inclusions, with increasing levels of canola oil strengthening the composite system. A novel confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) method for quantitative in situ examination of the oil phase volume was developed using three-dimensional (3D) imaging and image analysis software - FIJI and Imaris. Microscopic observations were assessed in relation to theoretical predictions from rheology-based blending-law analysis. Quantitative outcomes from the combined 3D imaging and image analysis are in close agreement with the volume predictions for the oil phase obtained from the isostrain blending law indicating the suitability of this approach in quantifying the phase behaviour of composite materials. The results of this work indicate that the developed microscopic method shows promise and could be used in the determination of phase volume in more complex and industrially relevant systems.