*2.6. Texture Profile Analysis (TPA)*

Texture profile analysis of all developed gels was performed in a TA-XT2 texturometer (Stable Microsystems, Godalming, UK) with a P0.25S plunger that penetrated 15 mm into the sample at 1 mm/s. From the force vs. time texturogram, three parameters were selected to characterize the materials: firmness, as the maximum rupture force (N); adhesiveness, represented by the negative area of the graph, that translates the recessive force of the probe (N·s); and cohesiveness corresponding to the ratio of the material's response to a second deformation. At least five measurements were made in each sample. Commercial food and feed products were also measured for comparative purposes.
