Modifications of soy protein isolates using combined extrusion pre-treatment and controlled enzymatic hydrolysis for improved emulsifying properties

Volatile Compound, Physicochemical, and Antioxidant Properties of Beany Flavor-Removed Soy Protein Isolate Hydrolyzates Obtained from Combined High Temperature Pre-Treatment and Enzymatic Hydrolysis

The present study investigated the volatile compound, physicochemical, and antioxidant properties of beany flavor-removed soy protein isolate (SPI) hydrolyzates produced by combined high temperature pre-treatment and enzymatic hydrolysis. Without remarkable changes in amino acid composition, reductions of residual lipoxygenase activity and beany flavor-causing volatile compounds such as hexanol, hexanal, and pentanol in SPI were observed after combined heating and enzymatic treatments. The degree of hydrolysis, emulsion capacity and stability, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, and superoxide radical scavenging activity of SPI were significantly increased, but the magnitudes of apparent viscosity, consistency index, and dynamic moduli (G′, G″) of SPI were significantly decreased after the combined heating and enzymatic treatments. Based on these results, it was suggested that the enzymatic hydrolysis in combination with high temperature pre-treatment may allow for the production of beany flavor-removed SPI hydrolyzates with superior emulsifying and antioxidant functionalities.

Effects of microwave pretreatment and transglutaminase crosslinking on the gelation properties of soybean protein isolate and wheat gluten mixtures

BACKGROUND

The integration of soybean protein isolate (SPI) with wheat gluten (WG) crosslinked via microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) may enhance the formation of ϵ-(γ-glutamyl)lysine covalent bonds, because SPI is rich in lysine and WG contains more glutamine. Microwave pretreatment may accelerate enzymatic reactions. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the effects of microwave pretreatment on the gelation properties of SPI and WG crosslinked with MTGase.

RESULTS

Interestingly, the gel strength, water-holding capacity (WHC) and storage modulus (G') values of MTGase-induced SPI/WG gels were dramatically improved with increasing microwave power. Moreover, the MTGase crosslinking reaction promoted the formation of disulfide bonds, markedly reducing the free SH group and soluble protein content of gels. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis of SPI/WG gels showed that microwave pretreatment increased the proportion of α-helices and β-turns and decreased the proportion of β-sheets. Results from scanning electron microscopy indicated that the MTGase-induced SPI/WG gels had denser and more homogeneous microstructures after microwave pretreatment.

CONCLUSION

The effect of microwave pretreatment is useful in advancing gelation characters of MTGase-induced SPI/WG gels and provides the possibility for expanding the application of food protein. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Secondary Structure and Subunit Composition of Soy Protein In Vitro Digested by Pepsin and Its Relation with Digestibility

In the present study, in vitro digestibility and structure of soybean protein isolates (SPIs) prepared from five soybean varieties were investigated in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), using FT-IR microspectroscopy and SDS-PAGE. The result indicated that β-conformations were prone to be hydrolyzed by pepsin preferentially and transformed to unordered structure during in vitro digestion, followed by the digestion of α-helix and unordered structure. A negative linear correlation coefficient was found between the β-conformation contents of five SPIs and their in vitro digestibility values. The intensities of the protein bands corresponding to 7S and 11S fractions were decreased and many peptide bands appeared at 11~15 kDa during enzymatic hydrolysis. β-conglycinin was poorly hydrolyzed with pepsin, especially the β-7S subunit. On the other hand, basic polypeptides of glycinin degraded slower than acidic polypeptides and represented a large proportion of the residual protein after digestion. 11S-A₃ of all SPIs disappeared after 1 h digestion. Moreover, a significant negative linear correlation coefficient (r = −0.89) was found between the β-7S contents of five SPIs and their in vitro digestibility values. These results are useful for further studies of the functional properties and bioactive properties of these varieties and laid theoretical foundations for the development of the specific functional soy protein isolate.

Effect of maleylation on physicochemical and functional properties of rapeseed protein isolate

Influence of maleylation on the physicochemical and functional properties of rapeseed protein isolate was studied. Acylation increased whiteness value and dissociation of proteins, but reduced free sulfhydryl and disulfide content (p < 0.05). Intrinsic fluorescence emission and FTIR spectra revealed distinct perturbations in maleylated proteins' tertiary and secondary conformations. Increase in surface hydrophobicity, foaming capacity, emulsion stability, protein surface load at oil-water interface and decrease in surface tension at air-water interface, occurred till moderate level of modification. While maleylation impaired foam stability, protein solubility and emulsion capacity were markedly ameliorated (p < 0.05), which are concomitant with decreased droplet size distribution (d 32). In-vitro digestibility and cytotoxicity tests suggested no severe ill-effects of modified proteins, especially up to low degrees of maleylation. The study shows good potential for maleylated rapeseed proteins as functional food ingredient.

Functional properties and structure changes of soybean protein isolate after subcritical water treatment

Subcritical water is an emerging method in food industry. In this study, soybean protein isolate (SPI) was treated by subcritical water (SBW) at various temperatures (0, 120, 160, 200 °C) for 20 min. The changes in the appearances, physicochemical properties and structural changes were investigated. After SBW treatment, the color of SPI solution modified turned to be yellow. The mean particle size and turbidity of SPI had similar behaviors. The mean particle size was decreased from 263.7 nm to 116.8 nm at 120 °C and then reached the maximum at 160 °C (1446.1 nm) due to the aggregation of protein. Then it was decreased to 722.9 nm at 200 °C caused by the protein degradation. SBW treatment could significantly enhance the solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties of SPI. With increasing temperature, the crystalline structure of protein was gradually collapsed. The degradation of the protein advanced structure occurred, especially at 200 °C revealed by ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry. Better functional properties exhibited in hydrolysis products indicating that SBW treatment could be used as a good method to modify the properties of soy proteins isolate for specific purposes under appropriate treatment condition.

The effect of soy protein structural modification on emulsion properties and oxidative stability of fish oil microcapsules

Hydrolysates of soy protein isolate-maltodextrin (SPI-Md) conjugate were used as wall material to prepare fish oil microcapsules by freeze-drying method. Effects of the protein structural modifications on the physicochemical properties of the emulsion and the oxidative stability of the microcapsules were characterized. Compared with emulsions of SPI-Md conjugates or soy protein isolate/maltodextrin (SPI/Md) mixture, lower droplet size (212.5-329.3nm) and polydispersity index (PDI) (0.091-0.193) were obtained in the fish oil emulsions prepared by SPI-Md conjugate hydrolysates. The improved amphiphilic property of SPI-Md conjugate hydrolysates was supported by the results of surface and interfacial tension, and further confirmed by the improved emulsion stability during the storage period. Although the microencapsulation efficiency (MEE) of SPI-Md conjugate hydrolysates slightly decreased from 97.84% to 91.47% with the increasing degree of hydrolysis (DH), their oxidative stabilities (peroxide value and headspace propanal) were apparently improved compared with native SPI/Md mixture or SPI-Md conjugates system. Moreover, favorable thermal stability as well as a porous and uniform surface structure of the microcapsules coated by SPI-Md conjugate hydrolysates (DH 2.9%) was observed via the thermal analysis and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, respectively.

Functional properties of a cross-linked soy protein-gelatin composite towards limited tryptic digestion of two extents

BACKGROUND

Both enzymatic cross-linking and hydrolysis are used to treat food proteins for functionality modification. The present study aimed to reveal the impact of limited tryptic digestion on some functional properties of a cross-linked composite generated from soy protein isolate and gelatin by transglutaminase.

RESULTS

The composite was digested by trypsin for 1.5 and 4 h to produce two hydrolyzed composites with degrees of hydrolysis of 1% and 2%, respectively. Electrophoretic and chemical analysis showed that only part of the composite was degraded, and the gelatin fraction in the composite was more sensitive to tryptic digestion than the soy protein fraction. The hydrolyzed composites exhibited higher protein dispersion index at pH 4.5 or 7.0 and surface hydrophobicity, better digestibility in vitro, emulsifying property and oil absorption capacity, but lower water holding capacity and rheological properties (apparent viscosity, storage and loss modulus) than the composite. Compared to soy protein isolate, the hydrolyzed composites had better rheological properties, and higher water-holding capacity and emulsion stability index.

CONCLUSION

The applied tryptic digestion conferred some improved properties on the hydrolyzed composites compared with the composite or soy protein isolate, and has potential for obtaining a new functional ingredient for processed foods.

Food proteins: a review on their emulsifying properties using a structure-function approach

Proteins are of great interest due to their amphiphilic nature, which allows them to reduce the interfacial tension at the oil-water interface. The incorporation of proteins at the oil-water interface has allowed scientists to utilise them to form emulsions (O/W or W/O), which may be used in food formulations, drug and nutrient delivery. The systematic study of the proteins at the interface and the factors that affect their stability (i.e., conformation, pH, solvent conditions, and thermal treatment) has allowed for a broader use of these emulsions tailored for various applications. In this review, the factors affecting the stability of emulsions using food proteins will be discussed. The use of polysaccharides to complex with proteins will also be explored in relation to enhancing emulsion stability.

Optimization of glutamine peptide production from soybean meal and analysis of molecular weight distribution of hydrolysates

The process parameters of enzymatic hydrolysis and molecular weight distribution of glutamine (Gln) peptides from soybean meal were investigated. The Protamex(®) hydrolysis pH of 6.10, temperature of 56.78 °C, enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) of 1.90 and hydrolysis time of 10.72 h were found to be the optimal conditions by response surface methodology (RSM) for a maximal degree of hydrolysis (DH) value of 16.63% and Gln peptides content at 5.95 mmol/L. The soybean meal was hydrolyzed by a combination of Protamex(®) and trypsinase so that DH and Gln peptides would reach 22.02% and 6.05 mmol/mL, respectively. The results of size exclusion chromatography indicated that the relative proportion of the molecular weight <1000 Da fraction increased with DH values from 6.76%, 11.13%, 17.89% to 22.02%, most notably the 132-500 Da fractions of hydrolysates were 42.14%, 46.57%, 58.44% and 69.65%. High DH values did not lead to high Gln peptides content of the hydrolysate but to the low molecular weight Gln peptides.

Functional properties of pea (Pisum sativum, L.) protein isolates modified with chymosin

In this paper, the effects of limited hydrolysis on functional properties, as well as on protein composition of laboratory-prepared pea protein isolates, were investigated. Pea protein isolates were hydrolyzed for either 15, 30 and 60 min with recombined chymosin (Maxiren). The effect of enzymatic action on solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties at different pH values (3.0; 5.0; 7.0 and 8.0) was monitored. Chymosin can be a very useful agent for improvement of functional properties of isolates. Action of this enzyme caused a low degree of hydrolysis (3.9-4.7%), but improved significantly functional properties of pea protein isolates (PPI), especially at lower pH values (3.0-5.0). At these pH values all hydrolysates had better solubility, emulsifying activity and foaming stability, while longer-treated samples (60 min) formed more stable emulsions at higher pH values (7.0, 8.0) than initial isolates. Also, regardless of pH value, all hydrolysates showed improved foaming ability. A moderate positive correlation between solubility and emulsifying activity index (EAI) (0.74) and negative correlation between solubility and foam stability (-0.60) as well as between foam stability (FS) and EAI (-0.77) were observed. Detected enhancement in functional properties was a result of partial hydrolysis of insoluble protein complexes.

Effects of microfluidization treatment and transglutaminase cross-linking on physicochemical, functional, and conformational properties of peanut protein isolate

Peanut protein isolate (PPI) was treated by high-pressure microfluidization (40, 80, 120, and 160 MPa) and/or transglutaminase (TGase) cross-linking. It was found that individual microfluidization at 120 MPa was more effective in improving the solubility, emulsifying properties, and surface hydrophobicity of PPI than at other pressures (e.g., 40, 80, or 160 MPa). Individual TGase cross-linking also effectively changed the physicochemical and functional properties of PPI. Microfluidization (120 MPa) or TGase cross-linking caused the unfolding of PPI structure, resulting in the decrease of α-helix and β-turns levels and the increase of β-sheet and random coil levels, as proved by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Compared with individual treatments, microfluidization followed by TGase cross-linking significantly (p < 0.05) improved the emulsion stability during long-term storage (20 days). Moreover, the combined treatments led to looser structure of PPI and resulted in more obvious changes in physicochemical properties.