Our invention provides a highly convenient process and equipment which can be used to prepare alginate or low-methoxy pectate gels on site e.g. where the product is to be used. The process comprises making a sol in an in-line dynamic mixer, then introducing gelling ions, e.g. calcium ions, into the sol in the mixer and immediately subsequently allowing the sol to gel. The equipment consists of an in-line dynamic mixer with feed points for the alginate or low-methoxy pectate and water spaced sufficiently apart from a feed point for a source of gelling ions such that the sol is formed before it comes into contact with the gelling ions. The process can be used to prepare gelled particles for use as feed for live stock as well as to produce gels containing e.g. meat or fruit. A particular use is to produce feed containing sensitive ingredients e.g. live bacteria.
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