L’allergie au pois

Screening of Twelve Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Cultivars and Their Isolates Focusing on the Protein Characterization, Functionality, and Sensory Profiles

Pea protein concentrates and isolates are important raw materials for the production of plant-based food products. To select suitable peas (Pisum sativum L.) for protein extraction for further use as food ingredients, twelve different cultivars were subjected to isoelectric precipitation and spray drying. Both the dehulled pea flours and protein isolates were characterized regarding their chemical composition and the isolates were analyzed for their functional properties, sensory profiles, and molecular weight distributions. Orchestra, Florida, Dolores, and RLPY cultivars showed the highest protein yields. The electrophoretic profiles were similar, indicating the presence of all main pea allergens in all isolates. The colors of the isolates were significantly different regarding lightness (L*) and red-green (a*) components. The largest particle size was shown by the isolate from Florida cultivar, whereas the lowest was from the RLPY isolate. At pH 7, protein solubility ranged from 40% to 62% and the emulsifying capacity ranged from 600 to 835 mL g⁻¹. The principal component analysis revealed similarities among certain pea cultivars regarding their physicochemical and functional properties. The sensory profile of the individual isolates was rather similar, with an exception of the pea-like and bitter attributes, which were significantly different among the isolates.

Sensory profile, functional properties and molecular weight distribution of fermented pea protein isolate

Pea protein isolate (PPI, from Pisum sativum L.) was fermented with six different lactic acid bacteria strains for 24 ​h and 48 ​h. The fermented samples were analyzed regarding their retronasal aroma and taste, their protein solubility, emulsifying and foaming capacity. Changes in the molecular weight distribution were analyzed to monitor potential effects of fermentation on the main allergenic protein fractions of PPI. After 24-h fermentation, PPI's characteristic aroma attributes and bitter taste decreased for all fermented PPI. However, after 48-h fermentation, cheesy aroma, and acid and salty tastes were increased. The PPI fermented with L. plantarum showed the most neutral taste and the panel's highest preference; instead, fermentation with L. fermentum led to a fecal aroma and was the least preferred. The protein solubility and emulsifying capacity decreased after PPI fermentation, while foaming capacity remained constant in comparison to the untreated PPI. The electrophoretic results showed a reduction in the intensity of the allergenic protein fractions; however, these changes might be attributed to the reduced protein solubility rather than to a high proteolytic effect of the strains. Fermentation of PPI for 24 ​h and 48 ​h might not be a suitable method for the production of highly functional pea proteins. Further modification methods have to be investigated in the future.