Effect of extrusion on the emulsifying properties of soybean proteins and pectin mixtures modelled by response surface methodology

The objective of this study was to apply response surface methodology to estimate the emulsifying capacity and stability of mixtures containing isolated and textured soybean proteins combined with pectin and to evaluate if the extrusion process affects these interfacial properties. A simplex-centroid design was applied to the model emulsifying activity index (EAI), average droplet size (D_[4,3]) and creaming inhibition (CI%) of the mixtures. All models were significant and able to explain more than 86% of the variation. The high predictive capacity of the models was also confirmed. The mean values for EAI, D_[4,3] and CI% observed in all assays were 0.173 ± 0.015 nm, 19.2 ± 1.0 μm and 53.3 ± 2.6%, respectively. No synergism was observed between the three compounds. This result can be attributed to the low soybean protein solubility at pH 6.2 (<35%). Pectin was the most important variable for improving all responses. The emulsifying capacity of the mixture increased 41% after extrusion. Our results showed that pectin could substitute or improve the emulsifying properties of the soybean proteins and that the extrusion brings additional advantage to interfacial properties of this combination.     

Susceptibility of an industrial α-lactalbumin concentrate to cross-linking by microbial transglutaminase

The susceptibility of an industrial α-lactalbumin concentrate to cross-linking with a microbial transglutaminase from Streptoverticillium mobaraense was investigated. At a protein concentration of 0.5% w v⁻¹, the maximum cross-linking was observed at 50°C, pH 5 and at 5 h of incubation time. Results from sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that most of the monomeric form of α-lactalbumin was converted to polymers too large to move into the gel matrix. Addition of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid or SDS prior to the incubation of protein–enzyme mixture, further enhanced the transglutaminase reaction with the industrial α-lactalbumin. Results from reverse phase chromatography indicated that cross-linking caused a broadening of the α-lactalbumin peak with little change in the average hydrophobicity of the protein. In contrast to the reported results on pure α-lactalbumin, the industrial α-lactalbumin concentrate showed considerable cross-linking with transglutaminase even without the reduction of the disulphide bonds. This difference was attributed to the partially unfolded secondary structures in the industrial α-lactalbumin concentrate.     

Comparison of the gel-forming ability and gel properties of α-lactalbumin,lysozyme and myoglobin in the presence of β-lactoglobulin under high pressure

α-Lactalbumin (α-La) and lysozyme (LZM) each contain four disulfide bonds but no free SH group, whereas myoglobin (Mb) possesses no disulfide bond or free SH group. In this work, the pressure-induced gelation of α-La, LZM and Mb in the absence and in the presence of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) was studied. Solutions of α-La, LZM and Mb (1–24%, w/v) did not form a gel when subjected to a pressure of 800 MPa and circular dichroism analysis revealed that both α-La and LZM are pressure-resistant proteins. In the presence of β-Lg (5%, w/v), however, a pressure-induced gel formed for α-La and LZM (each 15%, w/v) but not for Mb (15%, w/v). One- and two-dimensional SDS-PAGE demonstrated the disulfide cross-linking of proteins was responsible for the gelation. Although α-La and LZM are homologous and have the same disulfide bond arrangement, the texture and appearance of the gels formed from α-La/β-Lg and LZM/β-Lg were markedly different even when induced under the same experimental conditions. Microscopic analysis indicated that phase separation occurs during the gelation of LZM/β-Lg but not during the gelation of α-La/β-Lg. NMR relaxation measurement revealed that the association of water molecules with the protein matrix in the α-La/β-Lg gel is tighter compared to that in the LZM/β-Lg gel. These results indicate that the gel-forming ability of a globular protein under high pressure is related to the primary structure of the protein, and that the gel properties depend on the cross-linking reaction and on the phase behavior of protein dispersion under high pressure.     

Purification of angiotensin I-converting enzyme-inhibitory peptides from the enzymatic hydrolysate of defatted canola meal

Defatted canola meals from seeds of different processing origins were hydrolyzed by Alcalase to give hydrolysates that inhibited angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity. Heat treated meals yielded protein hydrolysates with 50% ACE-inhibitory concentrations of 27.1 and 28.6 μg protein/ml compared with 35.7 and 44.3 μg protein/ml for the none-heat treated meals. Separation of the hydrolysate on a Sephadex G-15 gel permeation column (GPC) yielded a fraction with an IC₅₀ value of 2.3 μg protein/ml. Amino acid analysis showed that the GPC fraction contained 45% content of aromatic amino acids in comparison to 8.5% of the hydrolysate. Two peptides, Val-Ser-Val (IC₅₀ = 0.15 μM) and Phe-Leu (IC₅₀ = 1.33 μM) were purified, and located in the primary structure of canola napin and cruciferin native proteins. The results suggest that canola protein hydrolysate is a potential ingredient for the formulation of hypotensive functional foods.     

Influence of complexing carboxymethylcellulose on the thermostability and gelation of α-lactalbumin and β-lactoglobulin

Thermostability and gelation of the main proteins of whey, α-lactalbumin (α-lac) and β-lactoglobulin (β-lg) recovered by selective complexation with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was studied to evaluate its functionality in food systems. Their behavior was compared to the non-complexed proteins. Both complexes showed a maximum stability at pH 4, that is close to the pH of obtention of β-lg/CMC coacervate (pH 4) and α-lac/CMC coacervate (pH 3.2). Protein complexation increased the thermostability of β-lg by approximately 6–8 °C and that of α-lac by approximately 26 °C due to immobilization of protein molecules in a complex, mainly by electrostatic interactions and because of different amounts of bound polysaccharide. The denaturation enthalpy of complexed proteins markedly decreased as compared to free proteins. Storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) were recorded to reflect the structure development during heating β-lg/CMC and α-lac/CMC complexes at different pH values. β-lg/CMC complex at 20 wt% was a viscoelastic liquid at pH values within 2 and 8 but upon heating turned to a particulate viscoelastic gel. However, α-lac/CMC complex formed before heating opaque, large visible white particulate aggregates that sticked together to give a solid viscoelastic structure that was not further modified by thermal processing.     

Isothermal gelation of proteins. 1. Urea-induced gelation of whey proteins and their gelling mechanism

The changes in dynamic elastic moduli of whey proteins [whey protein isolates, β-lactoglobulin (B-Lg), α-lactalbumin (A-La) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)] at various concentrations in the presence of 8 molldm³ urea with time were measured at 25°C, because whey protein-urea systems set to gels automatically at room temperature without heating. From the time dependence behavior of elastic moduli for the proteins, the individual proteins were characterized as BSA having good, B-Lg intermediate and A-La poor urea-induced gelation. The disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds played important roles in the formation the urea-induced gels.     

Fractionation of pasteurized skim milk proteins by dynamic filtration

This paper describes a two-stage process for separating milk proteins from pasteurized skim milk in three fractions: casein micelles, β-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and other large whey proteins, and α-Lactalbumin (α-La). Casein micelles were extracted in the retentate of a microfiltration using rotating ceramic disk membranes. α-La and β-Lg transmissions remained between 0.8 and 0.98. Their yields in permeate reached 81% for α-La and 76.6% for β-Lg at a VRR of 5.4. The separation between β-Lg and α-La was carried out by UF using a rotating disk module equipped with a 50 kDa PES circular membrane. Permeate fluxes were very high, remaining above 340 L h^?1 m^?2 at VRR = 5 and 40 °C. α-La transmission remained generally between 0.2 and 0.13 giving yields from 28% to 34%. β-Lg rejection was above 0.94, giving a maximum selectivity of 4.2. These data confirm the potential of dynamic membrane filtration for separating α-La and β-Lg proteins from skim milk.     

Enzymatic properties of transglutaminase produced by a new strain of Bacillus circulans BL32 and its action over food proteins

The aim of this study was to physicochemically characterize transglutaminase (TGase) from Bacillus circulans BL32, a strain recently isolated from the Amazon basin region, for its application in food systems. The effects of pH and temperature on the enzyme activity were determined by Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD), with maximal TGase activities obtained for pH between 5.7 and 8.7 and temperatures of 25-45 °C. This microbial TGase showed to be remarkably stable: over 90% of its activity was retained after 120 min of incubation at 50 °C. The Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ cations enhanced enzyme activity and its thermal stability when in concentrations of up to 2 and 1 mol L⁻¹, respectively. Casein, isolated soy protein, and hydrolysed animal protein were treated with this TGase. The decrease in the amount of free amino groups, especially for casein, showed the cross-linking of protein catalysed by this enzyme, while the emulsifying properties of these proteins were improved with treatment. These results suggest that this microbial TGase has a good potential to be used in food and other industrial applications.     

Effect of whey protein enzymatic hydrolysis on the rheological properties of acid-induced gels

A protein dispersion blend of β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin was heat-denatured at pH 7.5, hydrolyzed by α-chymotrypsin and then acidified with glucono-δ-lactone to form gels at room temperature. Heat treatment induced the formation of whey protein polymers with high concentration of reactive thiol groups (37 μmol/g). The reactive thiol group concentration was reduced by half after 40 min enzymatic hydrolysis. It was further reduced after enzyme thermal deactivation. During acidification, the first sign of aggregation for hydrolyzed polymers occurred earlier than for non hydrolyzed polymers. Increasing the hydrolysis duration up to 30 min resulted in more turbid gels characterized by an open microstructure. Elastic and viscous moduli were both reduced, while the relaxation coefficient and the stress decay rate constants were increased by increasing the hydrolysis duration. After one week storage at 5 °C, the hardness of gels made from hydrolyzed polymers increased by more than 50%. The effect of polymer hydrolysis on acid-induced gelation is discussed in relation to the availability and reactivity of thiol groups during gel formation and storage.     

Emulsification mechanisms and characterizations of cold, gel-like emulsions produced from texturized whey protein concentrate

A novel supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) process was used to successfully texturize whey protein concentrate (WPC) into a product with cold-setting gel characteristics that was stable over a wide range of temperature. It was further hypothesized that incorporation of texturized WPC (tWPC) within an aqueous phase could improve emulsion stability and enhance the rheological properties of cold, gel-like emulsions. The emulsifying activity and emulsion stability indices of tWPC and its ability to prevent coalescence of oil-in-water (o/w) emulsions were evaluated and compared with the commercial WPC80. The cold, gel-like emulsions were prepared at different oil fractions (φ = 0.20–0.80) by mixing oil with the 20% (w/w) tWPC dispersion at 25 °C and evaluated using a range of rheological techniques. Microscopic structure of cold, gel-like emulsions was also observed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM). The results revealed that the tWPC showed excellent emulsifying properties compared to the commercial WPC in slowing down emulsion breaking mechanisms such as creaming and coalescence. Very stable with finely dispersed fat droplets, and homogeneous o/w gel-like emulsions could be produced. Steady shear viscosity and complex viscosity were well correlated using the generalized Cox–Merz rule. Emulsions with higher viscosity and elasticity were obtained by raising the oil fraction. Only 4% (w/w) tWPC was needed to emulsify 80% (w/w) oil with long-term storage stability. The emulsion products showed a higher thermal stability upon heating to 85 °C and could be used as an alternative to concentrated o/w emulsions and in food formulations containing heat-sensitive ingredients.     

Emulsifying properties of proteins extracted from Australian canola meal

Canola protein albumin fraction, globulin fraction, and canola protein isolate (CPI) were compared to commercial soy protein isolate (SPI) in terms of their emulsifying properties at various pH values. The globulin fraction had higher emulsifying capacity (EC), higher emulsifying activity index (EAI), and the droplet size of emulsions it stabilized was consistently smaller irrespective of pH compared to albumin fraction or CPI. In comparison to SPI, globulin fractions also had higher EC at all pH values tested, higher EAI at acidic pH, and smaller or comparable average emulsion droplet size at both pH 4 and 7. The stability of canola protein based emulsions were comparable to those of SPI based emulsions at most pH values (except the emulsion stabilized by the CPI at pH 4), with no significant (p > 0.05) changes in droplet size during storage for up to 7 days at room temperature. These emulsions, however, experienced separation into the emulsion and serum phases after 24 h storage at room temperature with the exception of CPI- and SPI-stabilized emulsions at pH 9. This study demonstrates the comparable emulsifying properties (forming or stabilizing) of some canola proteins to commercially available SPI, suggesting the potential use of canola proteins in food applications.     

Studies on the impact of glycation on the denaturation of whey proteins

It could be shown for technologically relevant whey protein powders that denaturation of β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) is affected significantly by the extent of covalent modification of lysine residues by lactose. The amount of acid soluble β-Lg as measured via RP-HPLC with UV detection after heating for 10 min at 80 °C increased from 40% (4.6% lysine modification) to 82% (22.4% lysine modification). An increase in glycation leads to a slower denaturation-induced oligomerisation, as shown by SDS-PAGE. Concomitant with an increase in lysine modification, the denaturation temperature increased from 79.5 to 84 °C, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Covalent attachment of lactose to whey proteins during preparation or storage significantly improves the heat stability of whey proteins, which may be of particular importance for the technological use of whey proteins varying in the degree of lysine modification.     

动态高压微射流协同糖基化对β-乳球蛋白乳化性和结构的影响

采用动态高压微射流（dynamic high pressure microfluidization,DHPM）协同糖基化处理β-乳球蛋白,研究改性β-乳球蛋白乳化性、乳化稳定性和结构的变化。研究发现DHPM协同糖基化处理过程中β-乳球蛋白结构变化与其乳化性能可能存在关联;DHPM协同糖基化处理能显著提高β-乳球蛋白的乳化性和乳化稳定性。0、40、120 MPa糖基化处理后β-乳球蛋白的乳化活性指数（emulsifying activity index,EAI）分别为136.3、168.1、177.9 m2/g。0 MPa协同糖基化处理后β-乳球蛋白的乳化稳定指数（emulsifying stability index,ESI）为52.3 min;随着压强逐渐增加至40 MPa和120 MPa,协同糖基化处理后ESI值分别升高为56.4 min和59.0 min。通过表征分析β-乳球蛋白结构变化发现：不同压力DHPM协同糖基化处理后,β-乳球蛋白分子质量升高;巯基含量升高;表面疏水性降低;二级结构变化以及氨基酸三维空间构象暴露程度发生变化。这些变化说明β-乳球蛋白与低聚半乳糖发生共价交联时改变了蛋白质结构,造成β-乳球蛋白表面亲水基团的增加,从而导致其乳化性能显著提高。     

Manipulating interfacial behaviour and emulsifying properties of myofibrillar proteins by L-Arginine at low and high salt concentration

The present work examined the impact of L-Arginine (Arg) on the emulsifying properties, interfacial behaviour and conformational characteristics of myofibrillar proteins (MPs) at high (0.6 m ) and low (0.15 m ) salt concentration to maintain good emulsifying properties of MPs at low salt concentration. The data indicated that Arg increased the emulsifying activity index/emulsion stability index (EAI/ESI) and decreased the CI and droplet size of emulsions regardless of salt concentration. Raman spectra revealed that the α-helix content decreased from 60.30% to 51.26% at high salt concentration, and from 60.20% to 54.82% at low salt concentration in the presence of Arg. In addition, MPs treated with Arg exhibited a higher interfacial pressure and more rapidly diffusion to the oil surface. Meanwhile, Arg increased the interfacial protein loading. The results demonstrated that Arg caused the unfolding of MPs, promoting the adsorption of proteins and decreasing the interfacial tension, ultimately improving the stability of emulsions at low salt concentration.     

Gel formation by β-conglycinin and glycinin and their mixtures

Gel formation and gel properties of β-conglycinin, glycinin and their mixtures were studied as a function of pH using small and large deformation rheology and differential scanning calorimetry. We conclude that heat denaturation is a prerequisite for gel formation. Gelation temperatures of β-conglycinin were lower than those of glycinin and more dependent on protein concentration. At pH 7.6, protein solutions gelled at a higher temperature than at pH 3.8.Glycinin gels were stiffer than β-conglycinin gels at the same pH and protein concentration, and fractured at a higher strain and stress. At pH 7.6, G′ is lower than at pH 3.8 for both proteins and the gels could be deformed to a larger extent. Based on the appearance of the gels (turbid at pH 7.6, white at pH 3.8) and the fracture properties, we conclude that different network structures are formed as a function of pH. The reason why glycinin gives a better gel than β-conglycinin is believed to be due to a difference in network structure as well as in strength of interaction between the protein molecules.Mixing of both soy proteins resulted in improved gelling properties at pH 3.8. The elastic modulus of the mixture was larger than the weighed sum of the separate contributions. Furthermore, mixing reduced the protein dispersability at pH 7.6. This strongly indicates the presence of an interaction between the proteins. Gels of the 1:1 mixture (pH 3.8) had a fracture stress and strain in between those of the gels of the separate proteins.     

Properties of enzyme modified corn, rice and tapioca starches

Corn, rice and tapioca starches were partially hydrolyzed by treating the starch dispersions with heat stable α-amylase. Dextrose equivalent (DE) of 8–12 was achieved by hydrolyzing the starch samples (10–20% w/v) for 30 min at 90 ± 2 °C. Scanning electron micrographs showed that starch granules had broken down to smaller particles. High performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection indicated that oligosaccharides with broad molecular weight distributions are present in the reaction products. Hydrolyzed starch dispersions were analyzed for their rheological properties. The storage modulus values (G′) for 20% solid containing slurries were 7373 and 1470 Pa for untreated and enzyme treated samples, respectively, indicating a marked decrease in solid properties due to enzyme action. The complex viscosities (η^*) for native corn starch and hydrolyzed corn starch were 8243 and 1637 Pas, respectively, which indicate that the enzyme treatment decreases the overall resistance of the sample to flow such that the product can spread easily. Further 13C CP/MAS NMR and FTIR studies revealed the loss of ordered structures in the enzyme modified starches. Free flowing fat substitute in the form of fine powder was prepared by spray drying the hydrolyzed starch slurry.     

Impact of cosolvents (polyols) on globular protein functionality: Ultrasonic velocity, density, surface tension and solubility study

The objective of this study was to understand how cosolvents influence the molecular and functional properties of globular proteins in aqueous solutions. The ultrasonic velocity, density and adiabatic compressibility of cosolvent solutions (0–50 wt% sorbitol or glycerol) were measured in the absence and presence of a globular protein (1 wt% β-lactoglobulin) at 30 °C. These measurements were used to calculate the partial specific apparent volume and adiabatic compressibility of the protein. The protein's volume decreased and its compressibility increased in the presence of high cosolvent concentrations, which were attributed to changes in the properties of the protein interior and solvation layer. Sorbitol was more effective than glycerol at decreasing the protein volume at high cosolvent concentrations, which may be because glycerol has some surface activity and may therefore accumulate around hydrophobic regions on the protein surface. Our data were used to account for the observation that sorbitol is more effective than glycerol at increasing the thermal stability and self-association of the β-lactoglobulin. A better understanding of the influence of protein–cosolvent–solvent interactions on the functionality of globular proteins may facilitate the design of protein-based products.     

Production of antioxidant hydrolyzates from a whey protein concentrate with thermolysin: Optimization by response surface methodology

Whey protein concentrate (WPC) enriched in β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) was hydrolyzed using Corolase PP^® and thermolysin to produce hydrolyzates with antioxidant activity. The optimization of the main experimental variables involved in the process, such as type of enzyme, and hydrolysis conditions, concretely enzyme to substrate ratio, time and temperature, were evaluated using response surface methodology. A central composite circumscribed (CCC) design was employed to study the effect of the experimental variables on the antioxidant activity determined by radical scavenging potency. The parameters of the model were estimated by multiple linear regression, and the highest radical scavenging activity (2.57 μmol Trolox/mg protein) was found in WPC hydrolyzed with thermolysin after 8 h at 80 °C and an enzyme/substrate ratio of 0.10 (w/w). Nineteen β-Lg derived peptides were identified by RP-HPLC-MS/MS in this hydrolyzate. Of special interest are peptides LQKW f(58-61) and LDTDYKK f(95-101), which amino acid composition makes them potential contributors on the radical scavenging activity detected.     

Study of the formation of complexes between DNA and esterified dairy proteins

Like with many naturally occurring basic proteins such as histones and lysozymes, plasmid DNA can interact with methylated α-lactalbumin (ALA) and methylated β-lactoglobulin (BLG) forming complexes. The stabilities of these complexes were tested at different pH, temperatures and salt concentrations, and after enzyme digestion with DNase I and pepsin. Incubation at 37°C for long periods (up to 24 h) allowed the interaction of DNA with low concentrations of esterified proteins to take place. High temperature treatment (100°C) for short periods of time enhanced complex formation after 5 min of heating in case of both DNA/methylated ALA and DNA/methylated BLG. The complex of DNA with methylated BLG was more stable than that of DNA and methylated ALA, when the thermal treatment at 100°C was extended to 10 min. Both complexes were formed in larger amounts and were more stable at acid pH (3–6). Generally, at acid pH, the concentration of the stable complex of DNA and methylated BLG was larger than that of the complex between DNA and methylated ALA. These complexes were still quite stable at very acid pH (1–2) but not at all at very basic pH (10–11). Formation and stability of studied complexes of DNA with esterified proteins were generally dependent on salt concentration. Magnesium chloride had the greatest inhibitory effect on the formation and the stability of these complexes while potassium acetate had the least. The inhibitory effect of KCl on both complex formation and stability was observed in the range 0.4–1.0 . The complexes between DNA and esterified milk proteins or lysozyme were more resistant to hydrolysis with DNase I than free non-complexed DNA. Surprisingly, the DNA/methylated ALA complex was more resistant to DNase I digestion than the DNA/methylated BLG or DNA/lysozyme complexes. All the studied proteins were resistant to pepsin when complexed with DNA.     

Effects of the proteinaceous moiety on the emulsifying properties of sugar beet pectin

The role of the proteinaceous moiety in emulsifying was investigated using pectin from sugar beet as a model polysaccharide. Physicochemical and macromolecular characteristics of sugar beet pectin were examined with or without an enzymatic modification using multiple acid-proteinases. The enzymatic modification decreased the total protein content from 1.56±0.15% to 0.13±0.02% by the Bradford method without significant change in ferulic acid or most constitutional sugars. It also decreased the weight-average molecular weight (M_w) from 517±28 to 254±20 kg/mol and the z-average root-mean-square radius of gyration from 43.6±0.8 to 35.0±0.6 nm. Emulsifying properties of the polysaccharide with or without the enzymatic modification were evaluated by emulsion droplet size and creaming stability of O/W emulsions (pH 3.0) containing 15 w/w% middle-chain triglyceride and 1.5 w/w% sugar beet pectin as main constituents. The modification increased the average diameter (d_3,2) of emulsion droplets from 0.56±0.04 to 3.00±0.25 μm immediately after the preparation, suggesting a decrease in the emulsifying activity. It caused the creaming of the emulsions during incubation at 60 °C, which was in line with the finding that macroscopic phase separation occurred only in the presence of the modified pectin after storage at 20 °C for a day, suggesting a decrease in the emulsion stabilizing ability. The modification also decreased significantly the amount of the pectin fraction that adsorbed onto the surface of emulsion droplets from 14.58±2.21% to 1.22±0.03% and the interfacial concentration of the polysaccharide from 1.42±0.23 to 0.45±0.05 mg/m², where the proteinaceous materials in the pectin molecules activated the oil-water interface. Results from the present study suggest an important role of the proteinaceous moiety to explain the emulsifying properties of sugar beet pectin as in the case of gum arabic and soy soluble polysaccharide.