Changes in the structure and dissociation of soybean protein isolate induced by ultrasound-assisted acid pretreatment

The aggregation, structures and emulsifying properties of soybean protein isolate induced by ultrasound and acid

The effects of ultrasound and acid on the aggregation, structures and emulsifying properties of soybean protein isolate (SPI) were investigated. Results of solubility showed that ultrasonic treatments at 0.001 M HCl increased the content of soluble SPI. The particle size of soluble aggregates subjected to ultrasonication and acid was initially decreased and then increased with increasing ultrasonic time. Secondary structure analysis, by circular dichroism, indicated lower a-helix and higher random coil amounts in SPI treated with short ultrasonic time, in contrast to the higher a-helix and lower random coil in SPI treated with longer time (more than 20 min). Emulsions prepared with SPI by 10 min of ultrasonication demonstrated significantly (P < 0.05) small droplet sizes and long term stability in comparison with their untreated counterparts. These results highlight that the emulsifying properties of SPI can be significantly improved by the synergistic effect of ultrasound and acid.

Characterization of heat-stable whey protein: Impact of ultrasound on rheological, thermal, structural and morphological properties

Ultrasound, an emerging non-thermal technique, has potential to modify the functionality of bio-molecules like protein. In the present study, the impact of ultrasound on whey protein (WP) was assessed with functional, rheological, heat coagulation and transition temperature, SDS-PAGE, FTIR spectra, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results of this study showed that the raw WP had broad bimodal particle size distribution while after ultrasonication, modified WP exhibited narrower distribution along with smaller particle size (0.683 ± 0.225 μm) compared to untreated WP (2.453 ± 0.717 μm). The solubility of WP also increased after ultrasonication (72.22 ± 0.68% to 79.21 ± 1.08%). During the rheological evaluation, both the samples exhibited Newtonian behaviour but, the modified WP exhibited dramatically higher storage modulus (G') throughout the temperature profile compared to raw WP mainly due to enhanced proteins aggregation during heating which revealed more elastic and stronger gel. The modified WP exhibited significantly higher (about 6-times) heat stability compared to raw WP which signified that after ultrasonication the WP can withstand higher temperature during processing for longer time. The results were also confirmed by higher transition temperature (T_peak) of modified WP (93.32°) compared to untreated WP (81.93 °C). The SDS-PAGE profile of raw and modified WP showed that the ultrasound significantly decreased the bands density of low molecular weight molecules (β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin). FTIR spectra also showed noticeable difference between the secondary structure component of raw and modified WP. Finally, the structural micrographs of raw and modified WP from SEM and TEM analysis also confirmed the adequacy of modification of WP employing non-thermal techniques. The modified WP revealed smaller, regular and more homogenous and ordered structures compared to untreated sample.

Autochthonous Bacillus licheniformis: Probiotic potential and survival ability in low-fishmeal extruded pellet aquafeed

In recent years, Bacillus spp. have garnered attention as probiotic supplements in aquafeed owing to the production of heat stable and low pH resistant spores. Herein, we isolated and characterized an autochthonous Bacillus licheniformis KCCM 43270 from the intestine of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) for supplementation in low‐fishmeal extruded aquafeeds. The KCCM 43270 was screened based on amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase as well as non‐hemolytic activities. The isolate was able to grow in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xylan, and soybean meal (SBM) when used as a single carbon source in the minimal nutrient M9 medium. The KCCM 43270 spores displayed complete survival in acid (pH 2.5) and bile (0.3%, w/v) for 3 hr, strong biofilm formation, and nearly 50% adhesion with intestinal mucus. The spores of the isolate also showed significant survival ability at 80, 90, 100°C for 60, 30, and 1 min, respectively. In addition, the spores in a blend of SBM complex carrier showed significant heat stability at 120°C for 5 min and under different drying conditions. Furthermore, the spores also survived the extrusion process during low‐fishmeal aquafeed manufacturing, implying the potential application of B. licheniformis KCCM 43270 in aquafeed industry.

Effects of bean dregs and crab shell powder additives on the composting of green waste

Composting is an effective and economic technology for the recycling of organic waste. In this study, bean dregs (BD) (at 0, 35, and 45%) and crab shell powder (CSP) (at 0, 15, and 25%) were evaluated as additives during the two-stage composting of green waste (GW). The GW used in this experiment mainly consisted of branch cuttings collected during the maintenance of the urban green landscape. Combined additions of BD and CSP improved composting conditions and compost quality in terms of composting temperature, specific surface area, average pore diameter, pH and EC values, carbon dioxide release, ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions, E₄/E₆ ratio, elemental composition and atomic ratios, organic matter degradation, microbial numbers, enzyme activities, compost phytotoxicity, and environmental and economic benefits. The combined addition of 35% BD and 25% CSP to the two-stage composting of GW resulted in the highest quality compost product in only 22 days.

Process optimization of ultrasound-assisted treatment for soya bean protein isolate/polyacrylamide composite film

In this paper, composite films composed of soya bean protein isolate (SPI) and polyacrylamide (PAM) were prepared under variations of ultrasonic power, treatment time and heating temperature. The effects of the major processing parameters related to ultrasonic-assisted treatment were evaluated and optimized through the single-factor analysis and Box-Behnken design (BBD), respectively, when the tensile strength of composite films was considered as the response value. The single-factor analysis was carried out to study the effects of ultrasonic power, treatment time and heating temperature on the viscosity and cohesion of the slurry and the tensile strength of SPI/PAM composite films, which also provided a reasonable data range of each factor for further optimization. Experiment results indicated that these three factors play a significant role in the tensile strength of films. Then BBD was applied to optimize the treatment conditions of these three factors, using the tensile strength of films as the response value. According to the interactive second-order polynomial model of three factors and the three-dimensional response surface, the maximum tensile strength of films was obtained under the optimal condition. To verify the reliability of the model, the experiment with the optimal condition was conducted, and results demonstrated that the observed tensile strength was in agreement with the predicated one. Also, the morphology and water solubility of the films showed that the film can be coated on the yarns evenly and removed clearly.

Impact of ultrasound pretreatment on hydrolysate and digestion products of grape seed protein

The effects of ultrasound pretreatment with different working modes, including mono frequency ultrasound (MFU), simultaneous dual frequency ultrasound (SDFU) and alternate dual frequency ultrasound (ADFU) using energy-gather counter flow ultrasound equipment, on the degree of hydrolysis (DH) of grape seed protein (GSP) hydrolysate and IC₅₀ of GSP digestion products were studied. Amino acid composition analysis (AACA), ultraviolet-visible (UV) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) of GSP with different ultrasound pretreatments were measured. The results showed that MFU, SDFU and ADFU pretreatments improved the DH and reduced the IC₅₀ of GSP significantly (P < .05). The MFU of 20 kHz and SDFU of 20/40 kHz showed higher ACE inhibitory activity within the MFU and SDFU groups, respectively. ADFU of 20/35 kHz produced the highest ACE inhibitory activity among the three working modes (MFU, SDFU and ADFU). AACA showed that all the working modes of the ultrasound pretreatment could increase the amount of hydrophobic amino acids and the total amino acids. The changes in UV spectra and amino acid analysis indicated the unfolding of protein structure and exposure of more hydrophobic groups by SDFU and ADFU pretreatments. AFM analysis of the GSP indicated that the microstructures were destroyed and the particle size reduced after dual-frequency ultrasound pretreatments. Therefore, energy-gather counter flow ultrasound pretreatment is an effective method to improve the DH and reducing the IC₅₀ due to the changes of molecular conformation and effects on the microstructure by sonochemistry of GSP. In conclusion, it is necessary to select the frequency and working modes of ultrasound pretreatment for the preparation of ACE inhibitory peptide of GSP.

Proanthocyanidin B2 attenuates postprandial blood glucose and its inhibitory effect on alpha-glucosidase: analysis by kinetics, fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and molecular docking

As a dimer of proanthocyanidin, proanthocyanidin B₂ (PB₂) was found to effectively attenuate postprandial blood glucose in mice after sucrose loading.