Dynamic gastric stability and in vitro lipid digestion of soybean protein isolate and three storage protein-stabilized emulsions: Effects of ultrasonic treatment

Effects of ultrasound-assisted punicalagin binding on the allergenicity reduction of soybean protein 7S

Punicalagin (PUN) is the predominant polyphenol in pomegranate peels, and it has antioxidant property. This study aimed to explore the potential of PUN binding in reducing the allergenicity of soybean protein 7S (a major soy allergen). Ultrasound pretreatment (U7S) was used to enhance the availability of PUN binding sites. After PUN binding, the U7S conformation became more disordered, and the surface hydrophobicity was reduced. The molecular docking results indicated that the formation of the U7S-PUN complexes mainly depended on hydrogen bonding interactions. The phenolic hydroxyl group from PUN endowed U7S with high antioxidant properties, which were retained after digestion in the gastrointestinal tract. At a molar ratio of 1:50, U7S-PUN complexes reduced the IgG binding capacity by approximately 58.05 % and increased the rate of degranulation inhibition to about 35.87 %. This research offers a theoretical foundation for the use of PUN in the production of hypoallergenic plant-based protein products.

Controlled lipid digestion in the development of functional and personalized foods for a tailored delivery of dietary fats

In recent decades, obesity and its associated health issues have risen dramatically. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this trend, underscoring the pressing need for new strategies to manage weight. Functional foods designed to modulate lipid digestion and absorption rates and thereby reduce the assimilation of dietary fats have gained increasing attention in food science as a potentially safer alternative to weight-loss medications. This review provides insights into controlled lipid digestion and customized delivery of fats. The first section introduces basic concepts of lipid digestion and absorption in the human gastrointestinal tract. The second section discusses factors regulating lipid digestion and absorption rates, as well as strategies for modulating lipid assimilation from food. The third section focuses on applications of controlled lipid digestion in developing personalized foods designed for specific consumer groups, with particular emphasis on two target populations: overweight individuals and infants.

Ultrasound assisted complexation of soybean peptide aggregates and soluble soybean polysaccharide: pH optimization, structure characterization, and emulsifying behavior

This study aims to enhance the emulsifying properties of soybean peptide aggregates (SPA) by preparing SPA-soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS) composite particles at the assistance of ultrasound technique. The optimal pH for SPA and SSPS complexation was determined by measuring the charge and particle size of the composites. The effects of ultrasound power and duration on the physicochemical properties of the composite particles were assessed through measurements of particle size, zeta potential, contact angle, FTIR, and SEM. The influence of ultrasound duration on the emulsifying properties of the composite particles was evaluated by particle size, zeta potential, microstructure, rheology, and in vitro digestibility. The optimal pH for SPA and SSPS complexation was determined to be 4.0. Zeta potential and FTIR analyses indicated that ultrasound enhanced the electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding between SPA and SSPS. Emulsions stabilized with ultrasonicated composite particles exhibited reduced particle sizes, increased viscosity, improved viscoelastic properties, and better in vitro digestibility. The results suggest that moderate ultrasound treatment can strengthen the interactions between SPA and SSPS, thereby enhancing their emulsifying properties. This study offers valuable insights into enhancing the emulsifying performance of highly hydrophobic protein particles.

High-intensity ultrasound-modified Jerusalem artichoke leaf protein for stabilizing corn oi-in-water emulsion and Enhacing curcumin delivery

Jerusalem artichoke leaf protein (JALP) has limited applications because of its dark color, even though Jerusalem artichoke is a cash crop. This study utilized high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) (≤ 600 W) to modify the physicochemical characteristics and functional properties of JALP. Compared with the JALP, all the HIUS-treated JALP (UJALP) samples had a lighter brown color, higher absolute ζ-potential value, lower Z-average size, higher surface hydrophobicity, higher water solubility, lower turbidity, more -SH group, and higher water-holding, oil-holding, emulsifying and foaming capacities. The HIUS treatment disrupted certain non-covalent and SS bonds, promoted protein depolymerization, change protein secondary structures, causing partial unfolding of protein and exposure of some charged groups, hydrophobic groups and chromophores (like tryptophan and tyrosine). The UJALP-stabilized corn oil-in-water emulsions (UJALPEs) were more stable than the JALP-stabilized emulsion (JALPE). The bioaccessibility of curcumin in the JALPE (56.38 %) was significantly lower than in the UJALPE-600 W (64.59 %).

Unraveling the binding mechanism between soybean protein isolate and selected bioactive compounds

The present study was aimed to investigate the interactions between soybean protein isolate (SPI) with resveratrol (RESV) and lutein (LUT). The binding forces, molecular interactions and functional properties were explored by multi-spectroscopic analysis, molecular docking and functional property indexes between SPI and RESV/LUT. The RESV/LUT quenched SPI chromophore residues with static mechanism and the endothermic reaction. The SPI- RESV/LUT complexes were formed through hydrogen bond, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. Molecular docking confirmed van-der-Waals force as one of the important forces. The interaction of RESV/LUT led to SPI's secondary structure alterations with a decrease in α-helix and random coil and an increase in β-sheet and β-turns. RESV/LUT developed foaming and emulsifying properties of SPI and showed a significant decrease of the surface hydrophobicity with RESV/LUT concentrations increase attributed to SPI's partial unfolding. Our study exposed molecular mechanisms and confirmations to understand the interactions in protein- RESV/LUT complexes for protein industrial base promotion.

Exploring changes in aggregation and gel network morphology of soybean protein isolate induced by pH, NaCl, and temperature in view of interactions

The texture of soybean protein-based products is primarily influenced by the aggregation and gel morphology of the protein, which is modulated by manufacturing factors. Interactions involved in protein morphology changes include disulfide bonds, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonds. Notably, an interaction perspective probably provides a new way to explaining the aggregation and gel morphology, which could help overcome the hurdle of developing a textured product. Based on the interaction perspective, this review provides detailed information and evidence on aggregation, conformational stability, and gel network morphology of soybean protein and its components induced by pH, NaCl, and temperature. pH-induced electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, NaCl-induced electrostatic interactions, and temperature-induced hydrophobic interactions and disulfide linkages are the main motivations responsible for changes in soybean aggregation and gel morphology. By reducing the proportion of strong-interactions, such as disulfide linkages and hydrophobic interactions, and increasing the proportion of weak-interactions, such as electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds, the protein total surface area expands, indicating increased conformational stretching and decreased cohesion. This possibly results in reduced hardness and increased toughness of textured proteins. The opposite effect can be observed when the proportion of strong interactions is increased and that of weak interactions is decreased.

Riboflavin-loaded soy protein isolate cold gel treated with combination of high intensity ultrasound and high hydrostatic pressure: Gel structure, physicochemical properties and gastrointestinal digestion fate

Transglutaminase (TGase) was added to soy protein isolate (SPI) dispersion after the combination treatment of high intensity ultrasound (HIU) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) to catalyze the formation of cold gel, which was used to encapsulate riboflavin. The structure, physicochemical properties and in vitro digestion characteristics of riboflavin-loaded SPI cold gel were investigated. HIU-HHP combined treatment enhanced the strength, water retention, elastic property, thermal stability and protein denaturation degree of riboflavin-loaded SPI cold gels, and improved the gel network structure, resulting in a higher encapsulation efficiency of riboflavin and its chemical stability under heat and light treatment. HIU-HHP combined treatment reduced the erosion and swelling of SPI cold gel in simulated gastrointestinal fluid, and improved the sustained release effect of SPI gel on riboflavin by changing the digestion mode and rate of gel. In addition, HIU-HHP combined treated gels promoted the directional release of riboflavin in the simulated intestinal fluid, thereby improving its bioaccessibility, which was related to the secondary structure orderliness, tertiary conformation tightness and aggregation degree of protein during the gastrointestinal digestion. Therefore, HIU-HHP combined treatment technology had potential application value in improving the protection, sustained/controlled release and delivery of SPI cold gels for sensitive bioactive compounds.

Particle characteristics and tribo-rheological properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) dispersions: Effect of heating and incorporation of flaxseed gum

To understand the heat treatment and flaxseed gum (FG) on the properties of commercial spray dried soy protein isolate (SPI), SPI dispersions were prepared with mass ratio of 6 %, 9 %, and 12 % in water and the corresponding protein concentrations of 2.2 %, 3.61 % and 5.23 % were reached after centrifugation. The solutions were treated at different temperatures (25, 75 and 100 °C) and the particle characteristics and physical properties of the resulted samples were determined. The influence of different concentrations (0.05 % to 0.3 %) of FG addition was evaluated in the SPI solution at 5 % protein concentration. The results showed that heating caused decrease of particle size of the SPI proteins and 100 °C heat treatment caused decrease of hydrophobicity and viscosity of the protein dispersions, and increase of their physical stability, and the effect was more marked at high protein concentration; while heat treatment at 75 °C caused substantial increase in protein hydrophobicity and viscosity, and decrease of stability. Addition of FG resulted in increase of particle size, absolute value of zeta potential and hydrophobicity of the protein solutions. The viscosity of the solution was decreased with addition of FG, but higher FG concentration could lead to higher viscosity. The physical stability of the mixed system was improved at low FG concentrations, but decreased at concentration higher than 0.2 %, which was more significant after 100 °C heat treatment. FG incorporation could improve the boundary lubrication of the protein solutions.

Effect of high intensity ultrasonic treatment on structural, rheological, and gelling properties of potato protein isolate and its co-gelation properties with egg white protein

The study aimed to investigate the effect of high intensity ultrasonic (HIU) treatment at different times (0, 10, 20, and 30 min) on the structure and gel properties of water-soluble potato protein isolate (WPPI) and to further investigate the improvement of gel properties of ultrasonicated WPPI (UWPPI) by the addition of egg white protein (EWP). HIU reduced the particle size of WPPI, whose structure became loose and disordered, which improved gelling properties of UWPPI. Fourier transform infrared results indicated that α-helix content decreased, whereas the proportion of irregular curl increased with the increase in ultrasonication time (0-20 min), indicating that the initially ordered structure of UWPPI became disordered. After HIU treatment, the free sulfhydryl groups of UWPPI and surface hydrophobicity decreased and fluorescence intensity increased. These results demonstrated that the HIU loosened the structure of UWPPI, exposing more chromogenic groups while embedding more hydrophilic groups. After thermal induction, UWPPI gel hardness increased and exhibited excellent water holding capacity. After the addition of EWP, rheological properties stabilized, and the hardness of UWPPI-EWP gels increased significantly, forming internally structured protein gels with a tightly ordered structure and increased brightness. Thus, HIU changed the structure and gelling properties of WPPI, and the addition of EWP further enhanced the performance of hybrid protein gels. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: High intensity ultrasonic changed the structure of water-soluble potato protein isolate (WPPI) and improved the properties of WPPI gels. The addition of egg white protein significantly improved the quality of mixed protein gels which showed great potential industrial value.

Changes on the conformational and functional properties of soybean protein isolate induced by quercetin

The conformational changes and functional properties of SPI induced by quercetin was investigated via fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and molecular docking. A decrease in the fluorescence intensity and a blue shift in the maximum wavelength were observed due to the binding process with fluorescent residues. The analysis of Stern-Volmer equation showed that the fluorescence quenching induced by quercetin took the form of static quenching, and the binding stoichiometry between SPI and quercetin was 1:1. The values of ΔH and ΔS were both positive illustrating that hydrophobic interaction was the primary binding force between quercetin and SPI. Results of FTIR and CD indicated that the binding with quercetin changed the secondary structure of SPI, resulting in a partially unfolded and more flexible structure. SDS-PAGE confirmed there was no covalent interaction between the two constituents. Molecular docking demonstrated that there were stable configurations and high matching degrees in both 11S and 7S proteins with quercetin via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Meanwhile, modification by quercetin enhanced the foaming and emulsifying capacities of SPI. These findings might provide theory reference for elucidation the mechanism of polyphenols-proteins interaction and development of related food additive products in future.

Different interactions driving the binding of soy proteins (7S/11S) and flavonoids (quercetin/rutin): Alterations in the conformational and functional properties of soy proteins

The purpose of this research was to comparatively investigate the interactions between bioactive flavonoids (quercetin and rutin) and two predominant soy proteins (β-conglycinin and glycinin), and the structural and functional properties of their complexes. The binding affinities of quercetin/rutin toward 7S/11S were structure-dependent, in that rutin had a higher binding affinity than that of quercetin, and 11S exhibited higher affinity toward quercetin/rutin than that of 7S. The interactions in the 7S/11S-quercetin complexes were driven by van der Waals forces and hydrogen-bonding interactions, whereas the 7S/11S-rutin complexes exhibited hydrophobic interactions. Binding to quercetin or rutin altered the secondary structures (decrease in the α-helix and random coil contents and increase in the β-sheet content), decreased the surface hydrophobicity and thermal stability, and enhanced the antioxidant capacity of 7S and 11S. These findings provide valuable information that can facilitate the design of custom-tailored protein-flavonoid macromolecules.

Nanostructured lipid carriers for the encapsulation of phloretin: preparation and in vitro characterization studies

Phloretin is a powerful antioxidant with many effects, such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, promoting cell renewal, delaying aging and so on. However, the application of phloretin was limited by its low water solubility, low absorption in vivo and unstable properties. A phloretin-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier was designed with a high-pressure homogenization technique. The mean particle size of phloretin NLC was 137.40 ± 3.27 nm, and the Polydispersity index (PdI) value was 0.237 ± 0.005. The encapsulation efficiency was 96.68% ± 0.06%. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the phloretin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers were spherical. Phloretin in NLC showed a sustained release pattern in vitro. The results showed that phloretin NLC is more suitable for absorption than phloretin ethanol solution, and NLC can be a promising carrier for phloretin in the food industry.