Isoflavone aglycone content and the thermal, functional, and structural properties of soy protein isolates prepared from hydrothermally treated soybeans

Effect of Fractionation and Processing Conditions on the Digestibility of Plant Proteins as Food Ingredients

Plant protein concentrates and isolates are used to produce alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs. Fractionation of ingredients and subsequent processing into food products modify the techno-functional and nutritional properties of proteins. The differences in composition and structure of plant proteins, in addition to the wide range of processing steps and conditions, can have ambivalent effects on protein digestibility. The objective of this review is to assess the current knowledge on the effect of processing of plant protein-rich ingredients on their digestibility. We obtained data on various fractionation conditions and processing after fractionation, including enzymatic hydrolysis, alkaline treatment, heating, high pressure, fermentation, complexation, extrusion, gelation, as well as oxidation and interactions with starch or fibre. We provide an overview of the effect of some processing steps for protein-rich ingredients from different crops, such as soybean, yellow pea, and lentil, among others. Some studies explored the effect of processing on the presence of antinutritional factors. A certain degree, and type, of processing can improve protein digestibility, while more extensive processing can be detrimental. We argue that processing, protein bioavailability and the digestibility of plant-based foods must be addressed in combination to truly improve the sustainability of the current food system.

Application of soy protein isolate in the fining of red wine

Soy protein isolate was evaluated as a potential fining agent as an alternative to the predominant protein commercial fining agents (ovalbumin, porcine gelatin, and pea protein isolate). Two red wines (cv. ‘Merlot’ and cv. ‘Lambrusco Maestri’) were finned, bottled, and analyzed for phenolic content, color, turbidity, and sensory profile. Independent of the protein used, fining promoted a reduction in a majority of the phenolic compound, a slight (but significant) reduction of chromatic properties, and a decrease in the turbidity of the wines. A decrease in astringency, persistence, bitterness, and wine body, as well as an increase in brightness, clarity, and acidity, was also observed in all treatments. The application of soy protein isolates yielded similar results to those obtained with other commercial fining agents, both in the physicochemical and the sensory measures, which favors its usage as an alternative to the traditional fining agents of animal-protein origin.

Changes in quality characteristics of tofu with freezing treatment of soybeans

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of length of freezing time (-18°C for 5 or 24 h) on the quality characteristics of tofu. The yield and moisture content of tofu obtained from frozen soybean were lower than control tofu. Tofu made from frozen soybeans showed higher hardness, gumminess and chewiness than the control. Freezing treatment also made the microstructure of the tofu more uniform than the control. However, after 24-h freezing, hardness decreased and the microstructure of tofu appeared to form pores. Sensory evaluation showed that mouth-feel decreased with an increase of freezing time. Among all of tofu frozen at -18°C, 5-h freezing treatment showed the highest overall acceptability. These results indicate that the length of time that soybeans are frozen before making tofu affects the quality of tofu.

Protein structural changes during processing of vegetable feed ingredients used in swine diets: implications for nutritional value

Protein structure influences the accessibility of enzymes for digestion. The proportion of intramolecular β-sheets in the secondary structure of native proteins has been related to a decrease in protein digestibility. Changes to proteins that can be considered positive (for example, denaturation and random coil formation) or negative (for example, aggregation and Maillard reactions) for protein digestibility can occur simultaneously during processing. The final result of these changes on digestibility seems to be a counterbalance of the occurrence of each phenomenon. Occurrence of each phenomenon depends on the conditions applied, but also on the source and type of the protein that is processed. The correlation between denaturation enthalpy after processing and protein digestibility seems to be dependent on the protein source. Heat seems to be the processing parameter with the largest influence on changes in the structure of proteins. The effect of moisture is usually limited to the simultaneous application of heat, but increasing level of moisture during processing usually increases structural changes in proteins. The effect of shear on protein structure is commonly studied using extrusion, although the multifactorial essence of this technology does not allow disentanglement of the separate effects of each processing parameter (for example, heat, shear, moisture). Although most of the available literature on the processing of feed ingredients reports effects on protein digestibility, the mechanisms that explain these effects are usually lacking. Clarifying these mechanisms could aid in the prediction of the nutritional consequences of processing conditions.

Changes in the Bioactive Compounds Content of Soybean as a Function of Grain Moisture Content and Temperature during Long-Term Storage

Soybean is a rich source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, isoflavones, carotenoids, and tocopherols. The amount of bioactive compounds in freshly harvested soybeans and their derived products has been determined; however, when they are used in the food industry, soybeans are generally stored prior to being processed. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soybean moisture content (12%, 15%, and 18%) and storage temperature (11, 18, 25, and 32 °C) on the free phenolic, total flavonoid, vanillic acid, total carotenoid, and δ- and γ-tocopherol content of soybeans stored for 12 mo. Moreover, the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities of phenolic extracts were determined. There was an increase in free phenolics and total flavonoids in the stored grains compared with the grains on the 1st d of storage. Vanillic acid showed a decrease in soybeans stored at 15% and 18% moisture content and 25 or 32 °C, which indicated some degradation into other metabolites. Total carotenoid content decreased as a function of storage temperature and showed some temperature-dependent degradation. The δ- and γ-tocopherol content also tended to decrease in grains stored at 15% or 18% moisture content or 25 or 32 °C, regardless of the moisture content studied.