Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects

Walnut gluten (WGLU) is a plant-based protein rich in essential amino acids for the human body. Due to its poor water solubility and functional properties, its application in the food industry is limited. For the first time, this study looks into how different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) of...

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Main Authors: Yanmei Deng, Guohui Yuan, Tongqin Yang, Baoyu Gao, Yanling Lu, Jiaojiao Yang, Lei Guo, Qian Ma, Fangyu Fan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2289
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author Yanmei Deng
Guohui Yuan
Tongqin Yang
Baoyu Gao
Yanling Lu
Jiaojiao Yang
Lei Guo
Qian Ma
Fangyu Fan
author_facet Yanmei Deng
Guohui Yuan
Tongqin Yang
Baoyu Gao
Yanling Lu
Jiaojiao Yang
Lei Guo
Qian Ma
Fangyu Fan
author_sort Yanmei Deng
collection DOAJ
description Walnut gluten (WGLU) is a plant-based protein rich in essential amino acids for the human body. Due to its poor water solubility and functional properties, its application in the food industry is limited. For the first time, this study looks into how different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment affect the structure and functional properties of WGLU. ACP processing destroys the spatial structure of the WGLU and alters its functional properties. The comprehensive performance reached its best after 60 s of ACP treatment, the main manifestations included increased β-sheet content, reduced α-helix content, and unfolding of the tertiary structure, which ultimately improved the stability of emulsification and foam. Meanwhile, the solubility (86.35%), water retention rate (2.15 g/g), oil retention rate (5.31 g/g), emulsification rate (10.59 m<sup>2</sup>/g), and foaming rate (24.67%) of WGLU reached their maximum values. However, longer treatment times (90 and 120 s) induce WGLU aggregation, followed by decreased functional properties. In summary, the physicochemical and functional properties of WGLU can be significantly enhanced through ACP treatment, enhancing the bioavailability of gluten and providing an effective strategy for its application in food processing.
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issn 2304-8158
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publishDate 2025-06-01
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spelling doaj-art-6894679948df4a39a11c736ca32cea972025-08-20T03:16:43ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011413228910.3390/foods14132289Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times EffectsYanmei Deng0Guohui Yuan1Tongqin Yang2Baoyu Gao3Yanling Lu4Jiaojiao Yang5Lei Guo6Qian Ma7Fangyu Fan8College of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaCollege of Biological and Food Engineering, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, ChinaWalnut gluten (WGLU) is a plant-based protein rich in essential amino acids for the human body. Due to its poor water solubility and functional properties, its application in the food industry is limited. For the first time, this study looks into how different durations (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 s) of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment affect the structure and functional properties of WGLU. ACP processing destroys the spatial structure of the WGLU and alters its functional properties. The comprehensive performance reached its best after 60 s of ACP treatment, the main manifestations included increased β-sheet content, reduced α-helix content, and unfolding of the tertiary structure, which ultimately improved the stability of emulsification and foam. Meanwhile, the solubility (86.35%), water retention rate (2.15 g/g), oil retention rate (5.31 g/g), emulsification rate (10.59 m<sup>2</sup>/g), and foaming rate (24.67%) of WGLU reached their maximum values. However, longer treatment times (90 and 120 s) induce WGLU aggregation, followed by decreased functional properties. In summary, the physicochemical and functional properties of WGLU can be significantly enhanced through ACP treatment, enhancing the bioavailability of gluten and providing an effective strategy for its application in food processing.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2289atmospheric cold plasmawalnut gluteninphysicochemical propertiessecondary and tertiary structuraldifferential scanning calorimetry
spellingShingle Yanmei Deng
Guohui Yuan
Tongqin Yang
Baoyu Gao
Yanling Lu
Jiaojiao Yang
Lei Guo
Qian Ma
Fangyu Fan
Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
Foods
atmospheric cold plasma
walnut glutenin
physicochemical properties
secondary and tertiary structural
differential scanning calorimetry
title Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
title_full Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
title_fullStr Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
title_full_unstemmed Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
title_short Modifying the Structural and Functional Properties of Walnut Glutenin Through Atmospheric Cold Plasma Treatment: Evaluation of Treatment Times Effects
title_sort modifying the structural and functional properties of walnut glutenin through atmospheric cold plasma treatment evaluation of treatment times effects
topic atmospheric cold plasma
walnut glutenin
physicochemical properties
secondary and tertiary structural
differential scanning calorimetry
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/13/2289
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