PURPOSE: To obtain efficiently highly viscous gelatin which contains no impurities without need for chemical treatments with a crosslinking agent, etc., by heating dry granular gelatin to such an extent that it is not insolubilized and thus increasing the viscosity of the gelatin.
CONSTITUTION: Gelatin such as alkali-treated gelatin or acid-treated gelatin is formed into fine granules and dried preferably to a water content of approx. 18% or less. Then the dry granular gelatin is heated to such an extent that it is not insolubilized by external heating using an oven, etc., or internal heating including high-frequency heating. Thus the molecules of the gelatin are joined with each other so that they are highly polymerized. In consequence, the viscosity of the gelatin is increased and highly viscous gelatin is obtained. In this process, the viscosity of the resultant gelatin can be adjusted by controlling the time for the heating treatment. Further, in the heating treatment, no chemicals nor treating agents are used and hence there is no bad influence on the human body. The highly viscous gelatin thus obtained can be used advantageously in foodstuffs, for medical use or the like.
OTSUKA TATSURO
TAKAHASHI HITOSHI
