Application of the non-parametric kinetics (NPK) method to the reversible sol-gel transition of gelatin

The kinetic parameters of the melting and gelation phenomena occurring on the reversible sol-gel transition under thermal treatments can be estimated with the classical methods. From a Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) the peaks of the endothermic or exothermic behavior of the relative melting and gelation phenomena can be analysed by calculating the enthalpies of reaction ΔH and the temperatures at which they occur Tm and Tg. It was observed a clear dependence of the thermal treatments of the DSC and the resulting enthalpy and peak temperature. For instance, during cooling the enthalpy and gelation temperature are decreasing by increasing cooling rate. The purpose of this work is to applicate the Non-Parametric Kinetic (NPK) method on the reversible sol-gel transition to estimate its kinetic parameters. It is observed that this method gives good results and thus it can be used for this kind of reaction.