Texture analyzer

MCR and MCA suture retention strengths were measured by means of
a TA.XT plus Texture Analyzer equipped with a 5 kg load cell. The
suture retention strength was defined as the peak force reached during
suture pull-out. It is related to the difficulty of the suturing operation
and the stability of the suture connection.^{28 (link)} Square samples of 1.5 × 1.5 cm² were obtained and
used for the analysis. In detail, one end of the sample was clamped
on the lower grip probe at 4 mm of sample length; a loop of a 2/0
nylon monofilament suture (Scicalife) was placed in the middle of
the sample, namely, at 7.5 mm from each side of the sample and clamped
on the upper grip probe (placed at 5 cm distance from the lower one).
The suture retention strength was defined as the peak force obtained
during the procedure. Six replicates were analyzed for both random
and aligned MC.

The instrumental texture of model mayonnaises was measured by a texture analyzer (TA Instruments, New Castle, DE, USA) with a cylinder probe (36 mm in diameter). Each sample was filled to a 50 mm depth in a beaker with dimensions of 40 mm in diameter and 60 mm in height. The samples were then penetrated to a depth of 30 mm at a speed of 1.5 mm s⁻¹ with a trigger force of 3 g. Textural parameters of the samples (i.e., peak force, positive area, negative peak force, negative area) were calculated. All experiments were carried out at least in triplicate.