Rheological behaviour and microstructure of microfibrillated cellulose suspensions/low-methoxyl pectin mixed systems. Effect of calcium ions

► Viscoelastic and microstructural properties of microfibrillated cellulose suspensions not influenced by the presence of LM pectin alone. ► Increase of the thixotropic character and the shear-thinning behaviour of cellulose suspensions due to viscosity of LM pectin. ► Cellulose control the viscoelastic properties of the mixtures in water, in presence or not of calcium, and in NaCl, without calcium ions. ► In presence of both sodium and calcium ions, viscoelastic properties of the mixtures are rather governed by LM pectin. ► Formation of an interpenetrating cellulose/LM pectin structure in the presence of calcium ions.