Influence of inulin/oligofructose on the acid‐induced cold aggregation and gelation of preheated soy proteins

BACKGROUND: In recent years inulin‐type prebiotics have attracted much attention due to consumers' awareness of the health benefits of functional foods. Currently no information is available about the possible texture‐modifying effect of these non‐ionizable polar carbohydrates in different soy‐based food systems. In this study, the effect of inulin/oligofructose on the cold aggregation and gelation of preheated soy protein isolate (SPI) and its fractions (7S, 11S, and their mixture), induced by glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL), were evaluated by turbidity (A₆₀₀) and dynamic rheological measurements. RESULTS: Oligofructose significantly delayed the aggregation of all protein samples and decreased the end‐point optical density of 11S fraction and SPI. Inulin, a long‐chain fructan, only delayed the aggregation of 7S globulin and reduced the capacity of aggregation (A₆₀₀) of SPI. While oligofructose showed no significant effect, the addition of 5% (w/v) inulin enhanced the gelation of SPI and the 7S/11S mixture, which was demonstrated by the increase in gel storage modulus up to 13.6% and 10.1% (P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Inulin was found to enhance the viscoelastic properties of GDL‐induced cold‐set soy protein gels. It is expected that ‘functional’ cold‐set gel products with improved texture can be prepared from preheated soy proteins and inulin. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Characterization of cold-set gels produced from heated emulsions stabilized by whey protein

This paper reports the cold gelation of preheated emulsions stabilized by whey protein, in contrast to, in previous reports, the cold gelation of emulsions formed with preheated whey protein polymers. Emulsions formed with different concentrations of whey protein isolate (WPI) and milk fat were heated at 90 °C for 30 min at low ionic strength and neutral pH. The stable preheated emulsions formed gels through acidification or the addition of CaCl₂ at room temperature. The storage modulus (G′) of the acid-induced gels increased with increasing preheat temperature, decreasing size of the emulsion droplets and increasing fat content. The adsorbed protein denatures and aggregates at the surface of the emulsion droplets during heat treatment, providing the initial step for subsequent formation of the cold-set emulsion gels, suggesting that these preheated emulsion droplets coated by whey protein constitute the structural units responsible for the three-dimensional gel network.     

Casein gelation under simultaneous action of transglutaminase and glucono‐δ‐lactone

Casein solutions (5% w/v) were treated with microbial transglutaminase (MTG) and glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL) under varying conditions in order to obtain gels. Storage modulus (G ′) and gelation time of the gels were measured by oscillation rheometry, while protein cross‐linking was determined by gel permeation chromatography. The addition of only GDL to milk resulted in very weak gels, while MTG on its own was not able to create gel networks. Simultaneous action of both ingredients led to gels, the firmness of which was linearly related to the added amount of MTG, but passed through a maximum with rising GDL concentrations. Using chromatographical analysis, increasing G ′ values were interrelated with the formation of MTG‐induced oligomers. The gelation time was directly proportional to the GDL concentration but not influenced by the addition of MTG within the studied range of concentration.     

Effects of enzymatic modification of soybean protein on the pasting and rheological profile of starch–protein systems

Reformulation of traditional food systems to introduce new ingredients may change their structure and perceived texture. Interactions between proteins and starch during processing can markedly influence starch gel network structure and rheological profile. The present work aimed to study the effects of soybean protein and the products of enzymatic modification on the pasting and rheological profile of corn and cassava starch. The behavior of those protein‐enriched gels during storage was also assessed. Soybean protein isolate (SPI) was incubated with endopeptidase (AL) or food grade microbial transglutaminase (TG). Pasting and rheological behavior, water retention capacity, and structure of protein– and hydrolyzed protein–starch gels were analyzed. Protein incorporation increased the viscosity of starch suspension during and after heating. SPI‐modified proteins increased peak viscosity. Only the structural modifications brought by TG on SPI increased the final viscosity during starch pasting and the storage modulus (G′). This modulus (G′) of the gelled systems decreased with the addition of AL‐treated protein isolate. Light and fluorescence microscopy showed that SPI formed a continuous phase, like a network, in the gelled system. Different network structures and rheological properties can be obtained when SPI are modified by protease and TG enzymes, which may be very useful for designing new food products.     

Relation Between Denaturation and Some Functional Properties of Soybean Protein

Selected functional properties of soybean protein heat denatured to different degrees were studied. Rheological properties (total breaking energy, Young's modulus) and water-holding capacity of soybean protein gel were improved by the preheat treatment applied during preparation of soybean protein. When soybean proteins were preheated in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) or 2-mercaptoethanol (ME), the improvement in rheological properties was largely inhibited. But in the presence of potassium bromate (KB_rO₃), improvement in rheological properties occurred. The rheological properties and water-holding capacity of gel formed from ground meat containing NEM-treated soybean protein were similar to that of ground meat containing soybean protein preheated without NEM.     

Structural mechanisms leading to improved water retention in acid milk gels by use of transglutaminase

Water retention in transglutaminase (TG)-treated acid milk gels was studied and linked with the gel formation dynamics. Heat-treated skim milk with and without pre-treatment by TG was acidified at 20 °C, 30 °C and 40 °C at constant glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) level to obtain different acidification rates. Formation dynamics and structural properties of acid-induced gels were followed by rheological and near-infrared light backscattering measurements as well as microscopy. TG-treated gels showed decreased tan δ values all through the acidification, which was pronounced around the gelation point. Backscattered light intensity was lowered in TG-treated gels compared to the controls indicating that TG-treated gels were comprised of smaller aggregates. Water holding capacity (WHC) was measured by using centrifugation at selected pH points (pH 5.2, 5.0, 4.8 and 4.6) during acidification. Both acidification temperature and TG treatment had significant effects on the water retention properties of the gels. Spontaneous syneresis observed at high acidification temperatures (≥30 °C) was prevented upon TG-treatment. WHC of TG-treated gels was significantly higher compared to the control gels at all pH points. TG-treated milk gels showed a homogeneous network formed of smaller aggregate and pore sizes at the gelation point and did not show any large-scale re-organisation thereafter. Transglutaminase is likely to act as a fixative of the protein network at an early stage of gelation and thereby limiting network rearrangements that take place in acid milk gels formed at high acidification temperatures leading to contraction and subsequent wheying off.     

Rheological/textural properties of starch and crude hsian‐tsao leaf gum mixed systems

The Effects of hsian‐tsao leaf gum (HG) on the rheological/textural properties of non‐waxy starches were studied. Pronounced interactions between starch and HG were observed. The rheological properties, including pseudo‐gel viscosity in the rapid visco‐analyser test, storage and loss moduli in the dynamic rheological test, as well as firmness in the texture analyser test, of the mixed gels generally improved with increasing gum concentration to a certain level, then deteriorated with further increase in gum concentration. The critical gum concentration for the development of optimal rheological properties depended on the starch type and concentration. Within the concentration range studied, mixed systems with wheat starch could generally reach the highest pseudo‐gel viscosity, firmness, and storage modulus if the starch/HG ratio was appropriate, followed by those with corn and tapioca starch. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rheology of Rice Starch‐Sucrose Composites

The effect of sucrose at different concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 30%) on rheological properties of rice starch pastes (5% w/w) was investigated in steady and dynamic shear. The steady shear properties of rice starch‐sucrose composites were determined from rheological parameters for power law and Casson flow models. At 25°C all the starch‐sucrose composites exhibited a shear‐thinning flow behavior (n=0.25–0.44). The presence of sucrose resulted in the decrease in consistency index (K), apparent viscosity (η_a,100) and yield stress (σ_oc). Dynamic frequency sweeps at 25°C indicated that starch‐sucrose composites exhibited weak gel‐like behavior with storage moduli (G′) higher than loss moduli (G′′). G′ and G′′ values decreased with the increase in sucrose concentration. The dynamic (η*) and steady‐shear (η_a) viscosities at various sucrose concentrations did not follow the Cox‐Merz superposition rule. G′ values as a function of aging time (10 h) at 4°C showed a pseudoplateau region at long aging times. In general, the values of G′ and G′′ in rice starch‐sucrose composites were reduced in the presence of sucrose and depended on sucrose concentration.     

Combined milk gel generated with a novel coagulating enzyme by Virgibacillus sp. SK37, a moderately halophilic bacterium

The hydrolysis of milk proteins by the recombinant AprX‐SK37 protease and the changes in the rheological properties of the milk gel generated with AprX‐SK37 and glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL) were investigated. The AprX‐SK37 and rennet selectively hydrolysed κ‐casein to yield a 16‐kDa band, while subtilisin hydrolysed all of the casein components. Milk treated only with AprX‐SK37 formed softer gel. Storage modulus (G′) values of the combined gels increased with GDL concentrations up to 7 g/L. High tan δ was observed in the combined gel at 8.75 g/L GDL alongside syneresis. AprX‐SK37 is a promising milk‐clotting enzyme when combined with an optimal GDL concentration.     

Effect of glucono-δ-lactone acidification and heat treatment on the physicochemical properties of silver carp mince

The physicochemical and rheological properties of silver carp mince with different levels of glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) with or without heat treatment at 90 °C for 20 min were investigated. Breaking force, deformation, and whiteness of GDL-induced gels increased with increasing GDL concentration. Heat treatment of GDL-induced gels led to a significant increase in breaking force and whiteness, but decreased deformation. Disulphide bond formation was observed in GDL-induced gels, which increased after heating of the acidified gels. Solubility profiles of gels in different solutions suggested that gel networks were mainly due to hydrophobic interactions, although other chemical interactions may also occur. SDS-PAGE showed that acidification resulted in a large decrease in myosin heavy chain (MHC) band intensity, suggesting the extensive formation of covalent cross-links among silver carp myosins during GDL-induced gelation.     

Short communication: Effects of nanofiltration and evaporation on the gel properties of milk protein concentrates with different preheat treatments

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentration methods (nanofiltration and evaporation) and heat treatments on the gel properties of milk protein concentrate (MPC). The MPC gels were produced using glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) as an acidifier with different preheat treatments (30 min at 80°C and 5 min at 92°C). We then evaluated the effect of preheat treatments on MPC gel properties, including storage modulus (G′), loss tangent (tan δ), firmness, whey separation, and microstructure. The results indicated that without preheating, evaporation (EP)-MPC had higher G′ and firmness, and lower tan δ and whey separation than nanofiltration (NF)-MPC. These results suggest that EP-MPC produced a better acid-induced gel than NF-MPC when no preheat treatments were performed. After preheating, however, except for a very small difference in the final G′ (EP-MPC was higher), the 2 MPC did not differ significantly in firmness, final tan δ, or whey separation. Additionally, compared with the gel of unheated MPC, both preheat-treated gels (NF-MPC and EP-MPC) achieved increased G′ and firmness and decreased tan δ and whey separation. The preheat-treated MPC also displayed a more flexible-stranded network. These findings demonstrate that, given a suitable heating treatment, NF-MPC compares favorably with EP-MPC in achieving desired gel properties.     

Enzymatic modifications of pea protein and its application in protein-cassava and corn starch gels

The interactions between starch and proteins during processing influence pasting and rheological properties of starch and produce modifications on starch gel structure. Enzymatic modifications have been proposed for overcoming the limitations of using proteins as food ingredients. This work aimed to study the impact of native and enzymatically modified pea proteins on the properties of protein-starch (from cassava or corn) gels. Pea protein isolate (PPI) was incubated with endopeptidase (AL) or microbial transglutaminase (TG). Pasting profile, rheological behaviour and water retention capacity of protein-starch gels were analyzed. Protein (native and enzymatically modified) incorporation increased the viscosity of both corn and cassava starches during gel preparation. However, the hydrolyzed protein reduced drastically the increment of viscosity of protein-starch gels. The addition of PPI led to corn starch network that shifted from an elastic-like nature to a more viscous-like, whereas the opposite effect was observed in cassava gel network. TG- and AL-treated proteins led to a decrease of both G′ and G″ moduli of protein-starch gels, and AL-treated proteins showed the highest decrease on these parameters. Hydrolyzed proteins also favoured the syneresis of the protein-corn starch gel, whereas crosslinked proteins tended to reduce it. Enzymatic modifications of pea proteins affected significantly pasting and rheological properties of protein-starch gels.     

Effects of endogenous flour lipids on the quality of short‐dough biscuits

Fractionation and reconstitution techniques were used to study the contribution of endogenous flour lipids to the quality of short‐dough (shortcake type) biscuits. Biscuit flour was defatted with chloroform and baked with bakery fat, but without endogenous lipid. Short‐dough biscuits baked from defatted flour had smaller diameters, and were flatter, denser and harder than control biscuits. Defatted flour shortcake doughs exhibited different rheological behaviour from the control samples, showing higher storage and loss moduli (G′ and G″ values), ie higher viscoelasticity. Functionality was restored when total non‐starch flour lipids were added back to defatted flour. The polar lipid fraction had a positive effect in restoring flour quality whereas the non‐polar lipid fraction had no effect. Both fractions were needed for complete restoration of both biscuit quality and dough rheological characteristics. A study of the microstructure of defatted biscuits revealed that their gluten protein was more hydrated and developed than the gluten of the control biscuits. This conclusion was supported by the higher water absorption of the defatted gluten. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Existence of Exogenous Protein on Physicochemical Properties of Heat- and Transglutaminase-induced Bovine Collagen-peptide Gel

ABSTRACT: The combined influence of preheat treatment, mixing with various proteins, and the addition of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) on the physicochemical properties of bovine collagen-peptide (BCP) gel was investigated. The preheat treatment and the mixing with various proteins contributed to the enhancement of the gel strength and polymerization of BCP. The gel made with 0.1% MTGase showed the highest breaking strength. The melting point of the preheated BCP gel was higher than that of the unheated one ( P < 0.05). The gel made with a combination of preheated BCP-casein or preheated BCP-soybean protein showed a higher melting point than that made with preheated BCP alone ( P < 0.05). The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) pattern of the mixture of preheated BCP with casein or soybean protein showed that the protein bands with relatively low molecular weights disappeared and the bands with relatively high molecular weights increased. Observation by a scanning electron microscope revealed that the preheated BCP gel prepared with MTGase had a well-defined cross-linked network and showed some clumps of aggregated proteins. These results show that preheating, mixing with other proteins and MTGase treatment, are effective ways to make BCP a fine biopolymer.     

Dynamic rheological properties and bread‐making qualities of wheat gluten: effects of urea and dithiothreitol

Controlled stress rheometry differentiated glutens from the cultivars under study into ‘extra‐strong’, strong and weak on the basis of their elastic and viscous moduli measured in the linear domain. The mechanical spectra of different glutens revealed no qualitative differences, but exhibited large quantitative differences in the magnitude of the dynamic measurements, ie elastic modulus, G′, viscous modulus, G″, and loss tangent, tanδ. Both covalent and non‐covalent interactions appeared to contribute to these differences. However, disulfide cross‐links proved to be especially important determinants of differences in the elastic characteristics of the glutens. The present study indicated that dynamic rheological parameters of glutens were related to their bread‐making performance, as evidenced by the significant correlations between the dynamic moduli of the glutens and loaf volume. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Viscoelastic properties of high pressure and heat induced tofu gels

Tofu gels were rheologically examined to determine their storage or elastic (G′) and loss or viscous (G″) moduli as a function of frequency within their linear viscoelastic limits. The tofu gels were made using either glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) or calcium sulphate (CaSO₄·2H₂O), followed by either heat treatment (heated soymilk at ?97 °C prior to coagulation and subsequently held at 70 °C for 60 min, HT) or high pressure treatment (400 MPa at 20 °C for 10 min, HP). The overall moduli values of the GDL gels and CaSO₄·2H₂O gels of both physical treatments were similar, each gave frequency profiles expected for weak viscoelastic materials. However, although both temperature and high pressure treatments could be used to produce tofu gels, the final products were not the same. Pressure formed gels, despite having a higher overall “consistency” (increasing values of their moduli), had a proportionately higher contribution from the loss modulus (increased tan δ). Differences could also be observed using confocal scanning laser microscopy. While such treatment may give rise to differing systems/structures, with new or modified organoleptic properties, the more “open” structures obtained by pressure treatment may well cause processing difficulties if subsequent reworking or moulding is required.     

Rheological properties and permeability of soy protein-stabilised emulsion gels made by acidification with glucono-δ-lactone

BACKGROUND: Soy protein, an important efficient emulsifier, is widely used by the food industry for incorporation into milk, yogurts, ice cream, salad dressings, dessert products, etc. The objective of this study was to investigate the rheological and physical properties of soy protein‐stabilised emulsion gels as affected by protein concentration and gelation temperature. RESULTS: The rheological properties and permeability were determined using oscillatory rheometry, permeability and whey separation. The modulus (G′ and G″), fracture stress and fracture strain of acid‐induced emulsion gels after 20 h of glucono‐δ‐lactone addition depended strongly on soy protein concentration and gelation temperature. At increasing soy protein concentrations, acid‐induced emulsion gels had shorter gelation times but higher storage moduli (G′), fracture stresses and strains. Increasing gelation temperature decreased the gelation time, G′, fracture stresses and strains. Permeability and whey separation were significantly affected by the protein concentration and the gelation temperature. A significant positive correlation was observed between whey separation and permeability coefficient in emulsion gels formed at different temperatures. CONCLUSION: The rheological properties and permeability of soy protein‐stabilised emulsion gels were significantly influenced by protein concentration and gelation temperature. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Rheological properties of milk gels formed by a combination of rennet and glucono-delta-lactone

The effects of heat treatment of milk, and a range of rennet and glucono-delta-lactone (GDL) concentrations on the rheological properties, at small and large deformation, of milk gels were investigated. Gels were made from reconstituted skim milk at 30 degrees C, with two levels each of rennet and GDL. Together with controls this gave a total of sixteen gelation conditions, eight for unheated and eight for heated milk. Acid gels made from unheated milks had low storage moduli (G') of < 20 Pa. Heating milks at 80 degrees C for 30 min resulted in a large increase in the G' value of acid gels. Rennet-induced gels made from unheated milk had G' values in the range approximately 80-190 Pa. However, heat treatment severely impaired rennet coagulation: no gel was formed at low rennet levels and only a very weak gel was formed at high levels. In gels made with a combination of rennet and GDL unusual rheological behaviour was observed. After gelation, G' initially increased rapidly but then remained steady or even decreased, and at long ageing times G' values increased moderately or remained low. The loss tangent (tan delta) of acid gels made from heated milk increased after gelation to attain a maximum at pH approximately 5.1 but no maximum was observed in gels made from unheated milk. Gels made by a combination of rennet and GDL also exhibited a maximum in tan delta, indicating increased relaxation behaviour of the protein-protein bonds. We suggest that this maximum in tan delta was caused by a loosening of the intermolecular forces in casein particles caused by solubilization of colloidal calcium phosphate. We also suggest that in combination gels made from unheated milk a low value for the fracture stress and a high tan delta during gelation indicated an increased susceptibility of the network to excessive large scale rearrangements. In contrast. combination gels made from heated milk formed firmer gels crosslinked by denatured whey proteins and underwent fewer large scale rearrangements.     

The effect of the glucono-δ-lactone/caseinate ratio on sodium caseinate gelation

The influence of the acidification rate and the final pH on the properties of sodium caseinate gels (2–6%, w/v) prepared by acidification with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) at 10 °C was investigated. The rheological properties of the systems were analysed under shear at incipient gelation and under uniaxial compression throughout the entire gelation process. The water holding capacity (WHC) of these gels and their amount of soluble protein in different media were also evaluated. Up to ∼50% of the total κ-casein content was soluble in gels with a higher amount of GDL, and this contributed to the high WHC observed under this condition. The acidification rate did not affect the rheological properties measured under shear during gelation, but the GDL/caseinate ratio used had a significant effect on the steady-state properties. Fast acidification resulted in lower Young's modulus and stress at fracture values, but higher residual stress values and relaxation times. In contrast, slow acidification produced a more interconnected network probably because of the extensive reorganization or rearrangement within the segments near the isoelectric point.     

Rheological Properties of Mixed Gels using Waxy and Non‐waxy Wheat Starch

Mixed starches with an amylose content of 5, 10, 18, 20, 23, and 25% were prepared by blending starches isolated from waxy and non‐waxy wheat at different ratios. The dynamic viscoelasticity of mixed 30% and 40% starch gels was measured using a rheometer with parallel plate geometry. The change in storage shear modulus (G′) over time at 5 °C was measured, and the rate constant of G′ development was estimated. As the proportion of waxy starch in the mixture increased, starch gels showed lower G′ and higher frequency dependence during 48 h storage at 5 °C. Since the amylopectin of waxy starch granules was solubilized more easily in hot water than that of non‐waxy starch granules, mixed starch containing more waxy starch was more highly solubilized and formed weaker gels. G′ of 30% and 40% starch gels increased steadily during 48 h. 30% starch gel of waxy, non‐waxy and mixed starches showed a slow increase in G′. For 40% starch gels, mixed starch containing more waxy starch showed rapidly developed G′ and had a higher rate constant of starch retrogradation. Waxy starch greatly influenced the rheological properties of mixed starch gels and its proportion in the mixture played a major role in starch gel properties.