Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion

Consumer requirements for confectionery products have changed significantly over the past decade. These changes are evident in the growing demand for products that are high in protein but lower in energy content and, as a result, the market for these types of products is expanding. This study compar...

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Main Authors: Milica Stožinić, Đurđica Ačkar, Branislav Šojić, Tea Sedlar, Ljiljana Popović, Biljana Pajin, Ivana Flanjak, Maja Bulatović, Jovana Petrović, Ivana Nikolić, Ivana Lončarević
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2547
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author Milica Stožinić
Đurđica Ačkar
Branislav Šojić
Tea Sedlar
Ljiljana Popović
Biljana Pajin
Ivana Flanjak
Maja Bulatović
Jovana Petrović
Ivana Nikolić
Ivana Lončarević
author_facet Milica Stožinić
Đurđica Ačkar
Branislav Šojić
Tea Sedlar
Ljiljana Popović
Biljana Pajin
Ivana Flanjak
Maja Bulatović
Jovana Petrović
Ivana Nikolić
Ivana Lončarević
author_sort Milica Stožinić
collection DOAJ
description Consumer requirements for confectionery products have changed significantly over the past decade. These changes are evident in the growing demand for products that are high in protein but lower in energy content and, as a result, the market for these types of products is expanding. This study compared the chemical composition and functional properties of pork meat protein (MP) and blood plasma protein (BP) and evaluated their incorporation into cocoa cream formulations. Functional properties, such as water-holding capacity (WHC) and oil-holding capacity (OHC), were determined. Essential amino acid profiles were determined using HPLC analysis, and protein digestibility was evaluated both in the native form and after incorporation into the cocoa cream matrix via in vitro enzymatic digestion assays. Additionally, antioxidant activity of the enriched cocoa creams was assessed using the established ABTS assay. Results showed that BP contained a higher proportion of essential amino acids (26.44% of total amino acids), meeting the FAO/WHO recommendations, and exhibited superior digestibility compared to MP. Both proteins demonstrated high WHC and OHC values. The antioxidant potential of BP-enriched cocoa cream further supported its functional benefits. These findings indicate that blood plasma protein is a promising ingredient for enhancing the nutritional and functional quality of cocoa cream products.
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spelling doaj-art-1fe198beb0a840e7b7dca441b2aaa5fe2025-08-20T03:08:12ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011414254710.3390/foods14142547Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated DigestionMilica Stožinić0Đurđica Ačkar1Branislav Šojić2Tea Sedlar3Ljiljana Popović4Biljana Pajin5Ivana Flanjak6Maja Bulatović7Jovana Petrović8Ivana Nikolić9Ivana Lončarević10Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Food Technology Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Franje Kuhača 20, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaInstitute of Food Technology, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Food Technology Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Franje Kuhača 20, 31000 Osijek, CroatiaFaculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, Karnegijeva 4, 11120 Belgrade, SerbiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaFaculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad, Bulevar cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaConsumer requirements for confectionery products have changed significantly over the past decade. These changes are evident in the growing demand for products that are high in protein but lower in energy content and, as a result, the market for these types of products is expanding. This study compared the chemical composition and functional properties of pork meat protein (MP) and blood plasma protein (BP) and evaluated their incorporation into cocoa cream formulations. Functional properties, such as water-holding capacity (WHC) and oil-holding capacity (OHC), were determined. Essential amino acid profiles were determined using HPLC analysis, and protein digestibility was evaluated both in the native form and after incorporation into the cocoa cream matrix via in vitro enzymatic digestion assays. Additionally, antioxidant activity of the enriched cocoa creams was assessed using the established ABTS assay. Results showed that BP contained a higher proportion of essential amino acids (26.44% of total amino acids), meeting the FAO/WHO recommendations, and exhibited superior digestibility compared to MP. Both proteins demonstrated high WHC and OHC values. The antioxidant potential of BP-enriched cocoa cream further supported its functional benefits. These findings indicate that blood plasma protein is a promising ingredient for enhancing the nutritional and functional quality of cocoa cream products.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2547proteincocoa cream productfunctional propertiesamino acid contentin vitro digestibility
spellingShingle Milica Stožinić
Đurđica Ačkar
Branislav Šojić
Tea Sedlar
Ljiljana Popović
Biljana Pajin
Ivana Flanjak
Maja Bulatović
Jovana Petrović
Ivana Nikolić
Ivana Lončarević
Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
Foods
protein
cocoa cream product
functional properties
amino acid content
in vitro digestibility
title Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
title_full Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
title_fullStr Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
title_full_unstemmed Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
title_short Incorporation of Pork Meat and Blood Plasma Proteins into a Cocoa Cream Matrix: Characterization, Comparison of Functional Properties, and In Vitro Simulated Digestion
title_sort incorporation of pork meat and blood plasma proteins into a cocoa cream matrix characterization comparison of functional properties and in vitro simulated digestion
topic protein
cocoa cream product
functional properties
amino acid content
in vitro digestibility
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2547
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