Characterization of protein–polyphenol interactions

Dietary polyphenols have received attention for their biologically significant functions as antioxidants, anticarcinogens or antimutagens, which have led to their recognition as potential nutraceuticals. Polyphenols also characteristically possess a significant binding affinity for proteins, which can lead to the formation of soluble and insoluble protein–polyphenol complexes. Questions remain concerning whether and to what extent the protein–polyphenol interaction influences functionality. For example, is the formation of protein–polyphenol complexes an obstacle to the nutritional bioavailability of either species? This article discusses the development of suitable methodologies to investigate the physicochemical basis of protein–polyphenol interactions and the influence of structure–activity relationships on binding affinities.     

Mechanical properties of protein‐stabilized starch‐based supercritical fluid extrudates

Mechanical properties of starch‐based supercritical fluid extrusion (SCFX) extrudates were correlated to their structure. Thermosetting ingredients were added to the feed and the extrudate was dried to set the expanded structure. Compared to whey protein concentrate with 34% protein (WPC‐34), addition of egg white (EW) gave a softer skin and a fragile but well formed cellular structure. For drying between 70 and 100 °C, the overall structure was more homogenous for EW added. A higher modulus was associated with a larger number average of sides in a cell face and higher percentage of closed cells. Ashby's model (1983) for non‐food cellular solids gave a good fit to our data for relating relative compressive modulus to relative bulk density. A linear regression model indicated that bulk density alone was a good predictor of mechanical strength.     

The effect of protein concentration and heat treatment temperature on micellar casein–soy protein mixtures

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of concentration and temperature on the rheological properties of soy proteins (SP) and micellar casein (MCN) systems. Individual and mixed (1:1) protein systems of 2–15% concentration were prepared and heat treated for 5 min at 40–90 °C. After cooling to 20 °C, their rheological properties were determined using steady-shear rheology. Zeta potential and particle size measurements were also conducted. Both proteins were negatively charged under all experimental conditions, but the absolute values of zeta potential and thus the stability of the protein solutions decreased with temperature and concentration. For SP solutions, viscosity and apparent yield stress increased with concentration. Shear thinning behavior was prevalent, becoming more pronounced with increasing concentration. Heat treatments at T ≥ 80 °C induced glycinin denaturation, followed by aggregation and network formation when C ≥ 7.5%. Heat treatment did not significantly affect viscosity of MCN systems, while increasing concentration resulted in a significant increase in apparent viscosity and apparent yield stress. Most MCN systems exhibited Newtonian flow behavior, with the exception of systems with C ≥ 12.5% treated at T ≥ 80 °C, which became slightly shear thickening. Mixed SP–MCN systems mimicked the behavior of SP, with most values of rheological parameters intermediate between SP and MCN-only systems. Mixtures of 7.5–12.5% concentration treated at 90 °C displayed local phase separation, low viscosity and apparent yield stress, while 15% mixtures treated at 90 °C showed protein aggregation and incipient network formation. The data generated in this study can be used to develop a range of protein based products with unique flow characteristics and storage stability.     

Characterization of ‘wet’ alginate and composite films containing gelatin,whey or soy protein

The following study explored how the addition of various proteins (gelatin, soy protein isolate (SPI) and heated/unheated whey protein isolate (WPI)), at two different concentration levels (1% and 2%), affected the mechanical, microstructural and optical properties of calcium cross-linked ‘wet’ alginate films. Additionally, the water holding capacity and textural profile analysis (TPA) properties were determined for the alginate–protein gels. Adding all types of protein significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the force to puncture the ‘wet’ alginate–protein composite films compared to the control alginate film. The tensile test showed significant differences in tensile strength between the various films but interestingly there was no significant difference in the percent elongation at breaks between any of the films. Micrograph images showed that the SPI and heated WPI formed relatively larger protein clumps/regions in the alginate films whereas the gelatin and unheated WPI appeared to be more integrated into the alginate film. The heated WPI films were the least transparent of all the films, followed by the SPI films. Few TPA differences existed between the alginate–protein gels. However, the alginate–gelatin gels did have significantly less water loss than the other alginate–protein gels suggesting that alginate and gelatin may be the most compatible of all the alginate–protein combinations tested.     

Aggregation kinetics and ��-potential of soy protein during fractionation

The mechanism of soy protein fractionation was explored. A Focused Beam Reflectance Measurement (FBRM) technique was used to study the effects of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations on the aggregation/precipitation processes of soy globulins. An electrophoretic technique was used to provide information about the electrical charge of the resulting individual protein precipitate. FBRM measurements demonstrated the presence of a two-step process for glycinin (around 90% purity) aggregation. First, in the absence of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, about 9730 counts of the primary particles (~ 3.33 ??m) per second were formed immediately, with the pH being adjusted to 5.8 for glycinin precipitation. Second, more than 90% of the primary particles aggregated slowly within approximately 15 min into larger secondary particles (~ 54.72 ??m). The addition of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ significantly increased the amount of the primary aggregate of soy globulins and altered their aggregation process. However, the number of primary particles induced by Ca²⁺ was smaller than that by Mg²⁺. The aggregation kinetic pattern for soy globulins in the second precipitation step (mainly ??-conglycinin) significantly differed from that of the first precipitation step (mainly glycinin) in the stability of secondary particles. Electrophoretic measurements showed that, as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ concentrations were increased, the net ??-potential of the glycinin-rich fractions decreased, and the reduced effect by using Ca²⁺ was greater than that by using Mg²⁺. The different influences on the ??-potential for soy protein between Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were probably due to their different influences on phytate precipitation, respectively. The combined effects of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ and phytate led to the reduction in the ??-potential and thus to colloidal stability for soy globulins, resulting in more protein precipitation.     

Effect of calcium and sodium caseinates on physical characteristics of soy protein isolate–lipid films

The effect of addition of caseinates to soy protein isolated (SPI) based films containing lipids (33% of oleic acid or 85:15 oleic acid (OA)–beeswax blend (BW)) on water vapour permeability (WVP), mechanical and optical properties was evaluated. SPI–lipids was combined with caseinates (sodium or calcium) in different SPI:caseinate ratios with the aim of improving water vapour barrier, mechanical and optical properties of SPI films containing lipids. Caseinate incorporation to SPI based films provoked an increase of elastic modulus and tensile strength at break, mainly for calcium caseinate. Both caseinates contributed to increase the water vapour barrier properties of soy protein-based films. Caseinates also provoked an increase of transparency of SPI based films and colour softening. The most effective combination was 1:1 sodium caseinate:SPI ratio, when film contains 85:15 oleic acid:beeswax ratio.     

Mechanical and microstructural properties of soy protein – high amylose corn starch extrudates in relation to physiochemical changes of starch during extrusion

Mechanical and microstructural properties of expanded extrudates prepared from blends of high amylose corn (Zeamays L. ssp. Mays) starch (HACS) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) were studied in relation to the physicochemical changes in starch. Effects of screw speed (230 and 330 rpm) and SPC level (10%, 20%, 30% and 50%) on expansion and mechanical properties were determined. Compared with 230 rpm, screw speed at 330 rpm resulted in increased specific mechanical energy, expansion ratio, water absorption and water solubility indices and decreased bulk density and piece density. Varying screw speeds did not significantly affect the mechanical strength of extrudates or starch molecular weight distribution. Bulk and piece densities, and water absorption index (WAI) only slightly increased or exhibited no significant trends as SPC level increased to 20%. A substantial increase in bulk and piece densities and decrease in expansion ratio and WAI were observed as SPC level increased from 20% to 30%. The trends were either reversed or moderated as SPC increased to 50%. These results in combination with average crushing force and water solubility index data provided a significant insight into the interactions between HACS and SPC during extrusion processing. As compared to an earlier baseline study by our research group on normal corn starch – SPC extrudates, results from the current study indicated that the expansion of extrudate containing HACS alone was lower than that of extrudates containing normal corn starch. However, expansion of the HACS–SPC blends was not significantly impacted at 10–20% SPC levels, whereas the expansion of normal corn starch was significantly reduced.     

Characterization of quinoa protein–chitosan blend edible films

Quinoa protein/chitosan films were obtained by solution casting of blends of quinoa protein extract (PE) and chitosan (CH). Films from a PE/CH blend were characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, and SEM. The tensile mechanical, barrier, and sorption properties of the films were also evaluated. The blend of PE with CH yielded mechanically resistant films without the use of a plasticizer. The film had large elongation at break, and its water barrier properties showed that they were more hydrophilic than CH film. The thickness and water-vapor permeability of PE/CH (v/v) 1/1 blend film increased significantly compared to pure CH films. CH films are translucent in appearance and yellowish in blend with PE. By blending anionic PE with cationic CH an interaction between biopolymers was established with different physicochemical properties from those of pure CH. Drying and sorption properties show significant differences between PE/CH blend film and CH film. The structural properties determined by XRD, FTIR and TGA showed a clear interaction between quinoa proteins and CH, forming a new material with enhanced mechanical properties.     

Detection of radiolytic hydrocarbons by supercritical fluid extraction and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric analysis of irradiated cheese

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) was used for the isolation of characteristic hydrocarbon patterns formed by irradiation of fat-containing foods. The proposed method has the advantage of not requiring the use of organic solvents since analyte recovery is obtained simply by thermal desorption of the solutes previously retained in an adsorbent material, packed in the trap of the SF extractor, and its subsequent GC–MS analysis. Thereby, the risks of contamination with different compounds, as well as of losses by coevaporation with the solvent, involved in the use of conventional techniques are avoided. The method is capable of verifying, in less than two hours, whether a cheese sample has been (or not) submitted to an irradiation treatment on the basis of the detection of four radiolytic markers, namely n-pentadecane, 1-tetradecene, n-heptadecane, and 1-hexadecene.     

Effect of dynamic high-pressure treatment on the interfacial and foaming properties of soy protein isolate–hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses systems

The objective of the work was to study the effect of dynamic high-pressure homogenization (HPH) on the interfacial and foaming properties of soy protein isolate (SP) and surface-active polysaccharides (E4M and E15) with different molecular weight.     

Characterization of nutritionally important phytoconstituents in minimally processed ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetables using HPLC–DAD and GC–MS

Ready-to-eat baby-leaf vegetable market has been rapidly growing and offering to consumers convenient and appealing products, rich in health beneficial bioactive compounds. In the present study, the composition of carotenoids, tocopherols, and fatty acids were analyzed in seven baby-leaf vegetables using HPLC–DAD and GC–MS. Among the vegetables, the maximum amount (μg/g FW) of All-E-violaxanthin (42.77), 9′-Z-neoxanthin (22.13), All-E-lutein (69.67), All-E-β-carotene (60.18), total carotenoids (195.21), γ-tocopherol (19.68) and total tocopherol (47.68) were found in Batavian lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. Acephala). In all the studied baby-leaf vegetables, α-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3) was found in highest quantity (44.73–54.39 %) followed by palmitic acid (C16:0) (13.02–19.49 %), and linoleic acid (C18:2) (8.25–21.54 %). Significantly high amount polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were recorded in Batavian lettuce (74.33 %) and red Romaine (72.72 %), compared to other studied vegetables. In view of health benefits, baby-leaf vegetables contain a low amount of saturated fatty acids and high-mono and PUFA, which can enhance the health benefits of these vegetables. Carotenoids in most of these studied baby-leaf vegetables can be classified as very high. Knowledge of carotenoid, tocopherols and fatty acids composition in different baby-leaf vegetables will be useful to nutritional experts for selection of nutrient-dense plants for food fortification and proper diet recommendation. To our knowledge, this is the first report on fatty acids composition from baby-leaf vegetables.     

Characterization of chitosan–whey protein films at acid pH

The capability to produce blend chitosan–whey protein films at acidic pH, carrying a high amount of protein, is demonstrated, even though under these conditions a pure whey protein film could not be obtained. The films are biphasic and characterized by a compositional gradient, with the downward film surface containing a lower amount of protein than the upward surface. The surface richer in protein was more hydrophobic than that richer in chitosan. The difference in composition and hydrophilicity between both surfaces increases with the amount of protein incorporated in the film. Increasing the protein amount decreased elongation at break and tensile strength but, in general, had little effect on water vapor permeability. Although some of the film functionality might be compromised due to the incompatibility between the polysaccharide and protein components within the film matrix, the blended films, especially those with intermediated protein amount, may have useful applications on those food systems where the edible films should break up during the cooking or mastication process.     

Study of the retention and release of n-hexanal incorporated into soy protein isolate–lipid composite films

This work deals with the study of the kinetic of aroma release, which had been previously incorporated into soy protein isolate (SPI)–lipid composite films. The aim was to determine the influence of type and amount of lipidic material on aroma (n-hexanal) release and retention, as well as the apparent diffusion coefficients. To carry out this study it have been employed SPI-based films containing two SPI:LIPID ratios (1:0.25 and 1:0.5), and two types of lipids, oleic acid (OA) and beeswax (BW), in OA:BW ratios 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 0:100. The measurements were performed by a gas chromatography technique. The films that showed more retention were SPI:LIPID 1:0.5 100% BW and control film. Concerning release rate, films containing BW as unique lipid material gave the lowest aroma release rate. Apparent diffusion coefficients (D_app) of all films are in the same order of magnitude (10⁻¹⁵ m² s⁻¹). D_app decreases when BW increases in the film matrix and when oleic acid amount decreases. In conclusion, for encapsulating n-hexanal, SPI-BW films demonstrated the best performances, followed by control film (without lipids).     

Evaluation of air-dried soy protein isolate-rice noodles prepared via combined treatment with microbial transglutaminase and glucono-δ-lactone

In this study, the effects of steaming treatments during the preparation of structurally enhanced air-dried rice noodles were investigated. Soy protein isolate-rice noodles (RNS) were combined (COM) with microbial transglutaminase (MTG) and glucono-δ-lactone (GDL), and steamed for 5 (S5) or 10 (S 10) min followed by air-drying to yield air-dried RNS-COM-S5 and RNS-COM-S10, respectively. Control samples were air-dried rice flour noodles (ADRN), steamed for 5 or 10 min before air-drying (ADRN-S5 and ADRN-S10). Compared to other air-dried RNS prepared without steaming, RNS-COM-S5 and RNS-COM-S10 showed a reduction in cooking time (5.35 min) and cooking loss (7.11%) and increased cooking yield (125%), supposedly due to low gelatinisation enthalpy, while retaining textural and mechanical properties, significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the controls. The scanning electron micrographs showed that all steamed air-dried noodles also had larger hollows, which could be responsible for the improved cooking qualities. In general, the relative order of starch crystallinity resulting from steaming treatment decreased in all steamed noodles, and RNS-COM1-S10 showed the highest order. The treatment of RNS with MTG and GDL yielded air-dried noodles with a more compact structure. Steaming is necessary to improve the rehydration characteristics of the air-dried noodles without sacrificing textural and mechanical qualities.     

Physicochemical properties and freeze–thaw stability of rice flour blends among rice cultivars with different amylose contents

Food Science and Biotechnology - The effectiveness of the rice flour blends (RFB) for improving the processing suitability of Dodamssal rice flour (DD), a functional rice variety with a relatively...