Abstract
Addition of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) to ice slurries is expected to be effective in inhibiting recrystallization of ice. We evaluated the ability of recrystallization inhibition by the splat cooling method, using PVOH with different concentrations and molecular weights. The results showed that PVOH was effective in inhibiting recrystallization even at a low concentration of 0.01 mg/ml. Relatively small molecular weight decreased the ability of recrystallization inhibition, although molecular weight did not significantly affect the ability within the present experimental conditions. The recrystallization-inhibition ability of PVOH could be explained by the adsorption of PVOH molecules onto an ice surface, in the same manner as that of antifreeze protein.
