Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review

Water-soluble proteins, as ideal ingredients in food systems, have attracted much attention. However, their applications in the food industry are still limited by inherent shortcomings in stability and functionalities. Complexation with ligands is an effective strategy to overcome these limitations....

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Main Authors: Qing Guo, Xu Qi, Yuying Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2359
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author Qing Guo
Xu Qi
Yuying Hu
author_facet Qing Guo
Xu Qi
Yuying Hu
author_sort Qing Guo
collection DOAJ
description Water-soluble proteins, as ideal ingredients in food systems, have attracted much attention. However, their applications in the food industry are still limited by inherent shortcomings in stability and functionalities. Complexation with ligands is an effective strategy to overcome these limitations. In the present review, we summarize (1) the interaction mechanisms between water-soluble proteins and ligands; (2) the enhancement of the stability and functionalities of water-soluble proteins; (3) the influences of the nature of proteins and ligands, along with complexing conditions, on their interactions and enhancement of the stability and functionalities of water-soluble proteins; and (4) the applications of water-soluble protein-based complexes. Promising future research trends in the field of water-soluble protein-based complexes are also discussed. This review aims to offer theoretical guidance and technical support for the precise enhancement of protein stability and functionalities, thereby promoting their broader application in the food industry.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Foods
spelling doaj-art-5e3d836a8bbb46a49a1c79b5a359bf682025-08-20T02:35:43ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-07-011413235910.3390/foods14132359Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive ReviewQing Guo0Xu Qi1Yuying Hu2State Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Food Nutrition and Safety, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, ChinaSchool of Life and Health Sciences, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaWater-soluble proteins, as ideal ingredients in food systems, have attracted much attention. However, their applications in the food industry are still limited by inherent shortcomings in stability and functionalities. Complexation with ligands is an effective strategy to overcome these limitations. In the present review, we summarize (1) the interaction mechanisms between water-soluble proteins and ligands; (2) the enhancement of the stability and functionalities of water-soluble proteins; (3) the influences of the nature of proteins and ligands, along with complexing conditions, on their interactions and enhancement of the stability and functionalities of water-soluble proteins; and (4) the applications of water-soluble protein-based complexes. Promising future research trends in the field of water-soluble protein-based complexes are also discussed. This review aims to offer theoretical guidance and technical support for the precise enhancement of protein stability and functionalities, thereby promoting their broader application in the food industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2359water-soluble proteincomplexationstabilityfunctionality
spellingShingle Qing Guo
Xu Qi
Yuying Hu
Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
Foods
water-soluble protein
complexation
stability
functionality
title Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Complexation Strategies for Enhancing Water-Soluble Protein Stability and Functionality: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort complexation strategies for enhancing water soluble protein stability and functionality a comprehensive review
topic water-soluble protein
complexation
stability
functionality
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2359
work_keys_str_mv AT qingguo complexationstrategiesforenhancingwatersolubleproteinstabilityandfunctionalityacomprehensivereview
AT xuqi complexationstrategiesforenhancingwatersolubleproteinstabilityandfunctionalityacomprehensivereview
AT yuyinghu complexationstrategiesforenhancingwatersolubleproteinstabilityandfunctionalityacomprehensivereview