Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour

Plant proteins have become increasingly desirable due to their sustainability and proposed health benefits. This study initially examined the effects of heat treatment on the solubility of pea protein (PP) in a 3 % (w/w) protein solution, applying heat from 65 °C to 95 °C for varying durations acros...

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Main Authors: Dan Li, Ying Ma, Alejandra Acevedo-Fani, Weihong Lu, Harjinder Singh, Aiqian Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Current Research in Food Science
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125002047
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author Dan Li
Ying Ma
Alejandra Acevedo-Fani
Weihong Lu
Harjinder Singh
Aiqian Ye
author_facet Dan Li
Ying Ma
Alejandra Acevedo-Fani
Weihong Lu
Harjinder Singh
Aiqian Ye
author_sort Dan Li
collection DOAJ
description Plant proteins have become increasingly desirable due to their sustainability and proposed health benefits. This study initially examined the effects of heat treatment on the solubility of pea protein (PP) in a 3 % (w/w) protein solution, applying heat from 65 °C to 95 °C for varying durations across pH conditions ranging from 5.5 to 7.8. Subsequently, an advanced dynamic gastric digestion model—the Human Gastric Simulator—was employed to examine the in vitro gastric digestion behaviours of heat-treated and untreated PP. Results suggest that heat treatment reduces the protein aggregate size and enhances PP solubility, potentially due to a decrease in α-helix and β-turn structures or an increase in β-sheet content, as determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, heat treatment elevated the surface hydrophobicity and free sulfhydryl group concentration of PP. During in vitro dynamic gastric digestion with pepsin, PP underwent notable structural and physical stability modifications. Unheated and heated PP exhibited small particles in the digesta and remained unaggregated throughout digestion. However, the heat-treated PP showed a smaller particle size during gastric digestion and a greater hydrolysis rate than the unheated protein. This study systematically evaluates the solubility and digestion behaviour of PP subjected to food processing conditions, highlighting its stability and structural changes that may influence the delivery of macronutrients from the stomach to the next phase of digestion.
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spelling doaj-art-07e5e85228764df790bf5e44db36fd7f2025-08-22T04:58:10ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Food Science2665-92712025-01-011110117310.1016/j.crfs.2025.101173Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviourDan Li0Ying Ma1Alejandra Acevedo-Fani2Weihong Lu3Harjinder Singh4Aiqian Ye5Riddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand; School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, ChinaRiddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New ZealandSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, ChinaRiddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New ZealandRiddet Institute, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand; Corresponding author.Plant proteins have become increasingly desirable due to their sustainability and proposed health benefits. This study initially examined the effects of heat treatment on the solubility of pea protein (PP) in a 3 % (w/w) protein solution, applying heat from 65 °C to 95 °C for varying durations across pH conditions ranging from 5.5 to 7.8. Subsequently, an advanced dynamic gastric digestion model—the Human Gastric Simulator—was employed to examine the in vitro gastric digestion behaviours of heat-treated and untreated PP. Results suggest that heat treatment reduces the protein aggregate size and enhances PP solubility, potentially due to a decrease in α-helix and β-turn structures or an increase in β-sheet content, as determined via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Additionally, heat treatment elevated the surface hydrophobicity and free sulfhydryl group concentration of PP. During in vitro dynamic gastric digestion with pepsin, PP underwent notable structural and physical stability modifications. Unheated and heated PP exhibited small particles in the digesta and remained unaggregated throughout digestion. However, the heat-treated PP showed a smaller particle size during gastric digestion and a greater hydrolysis rate than the unheated protein. This study systematically evaluates the solubility and digestion behaviour of PP subjected to food processing conditions, highlighting its stability and structural changes that may influence the delivery of macronutrients from the stomach to the next phase of digestion.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125002047Pea protein isolateHeat treatmentProtein solubilityHydrolysisGastric emptyingProtein digestibility
spellingShingle Dan Li
Ying Ma
Alejandra Acevedo-Fani
Weihong Lu
Harjinder Singh
Aiqian Ye
Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
Current Research in Food Science
Pea protein isolate
Heat treatment
Protein solubility
Hydrolysis
Gastric emptying
Protein digestibility
title Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
title_full Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
title_fullStr Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
title_full_unstemmed Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
title_short Heat-induced modifications of pea protein: Implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
title_sort heat induced modifications of pea protein implications for solubility and digestion behaviour
topic Pea protein isolate
Heat treatment
Protein solubility
Hydrolysis
Gastric emptying
Protein digestibility
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927125002047
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