Physicochemical and functional properties of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein isolate

The amino acid composition and physicochemical and functional properties of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) protein isolate (HPI) were evaluated and compared with those of soy protein isolate (SPI). Edestin, a kind of hexameric legumin, was the major protein component. HPI had similar or higher levels of essential amino acids (except lysine), in comparison to those amino acids of SPI. The essential amino acids in HPI (except lysine and sulfur-containing amino acids) are sufficient for the FAO/WHO suggested requirements for 2-5 year old children. The protein solubility (PS) of HPI was lower than that of SPI at pH less than 8.0 but similar at above pH 8.0. HPI contained much higher free sulfhydryl (SH) content than SPI. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that HPI had only one endothermic peak with denaturation temperature (T(d)) of about 95.0 degrees C, attributed to the edestin component. The T(d) of the endotherm was nearly unaffected by 20-40 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate but significantly decreased by 20 mM dithiothreitol (P < 0.05). The emulsifying activity index, emulsion stability index, and water-holding capacity of HPI were much lower than those of SPI, and the fat adsorption capacity was similar. The data suggest that HPI can be used as a valuable source of nutrition for infants and children but has poor functional properties when compared with SPI. The poor functional properties of HPI have been largely attributed to the formation of covalent disulfide bonds between individual proteins and subsequent aggregation at neutral or acidic pH, due to its high free sulfhydryl content from sulfur-containing amino acids.     

High-pressure induced physicochemical and functional modifications of low-density lipoproteins from hen egg yolk

High-pressure treatment represents a potential method to stabilize microbiologically agricultural raw materials that are sensitive to heat treatments. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), the main contributors to the exceptional emulsifying properties of yolk, are particularly sensitive to heat treatment. In this study, high-pressure treatments have been performed on LDL, and their impact on LDL physicochemical and emulsifying properties has been assessed. LDL dispersions at two pH levels (pH 3 and 8) were treated at different pressure levels: 200, 400, and 600 MPa at 20 degrees C. LDL dispersion characteristics (solubility, aggregation, and protein denaturation) and LDL emulsifying properties (o/w 30:70 emulsions: droplet size, flocculation, and protein adsorption) of nontreated and high-pressure treated dispersions were compared. Solubility is not altered by high-pressure treatment whatever the pH, whereas aggregation and protein denaturation are drastically enhanced, in particular at pH 8. The effects of these modifications on LDL emulsifying properties are mainly a diminution of the flocculation (depletion and bridging) at this same pH. Finally, it seems that high-pressure treatment combined with an alkaline pH decreases droplet flocculation of LDL dispersions.     

Gelation of edible blue-green algae protein isolate (Spirulina platensis Strain Pacifica): thermal transitions, rheological properties, and molecular forces involved

Proteins isolated from blue-green algae Spirulina platensis strain Pacifica were characterized by visible absorption, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), viscometry, and dynamic oscillatory rheological measurements. Unique thermal unfolding, denaturation, aggregation, and gelation of the algal protein isolate are presented. DSC analysis showed that thermal transitions occur at about 67 and 109 degrees C at neutral pH. Calcium chloride stabilized the quaternary structure against denaturation and shifted the transitions at higher temperatures. Viscometric studies of Spirulina protein isolate as a function of temperature showed that the onset of the viscosity increase is closely related to the dissociation-denaturation process. Lower viscosities were observed for the protein solutions dissolved at pH 9 due to an increased protein solubility. Solutions of Spirulina protein isolate form elastic gels during heating to 90 degrees C. Subsequent cooling at ambient temperatures caused a further pronounced increase in the elastic moduli and network elasticity. Spirulina protein isolate has good gelling properties with fairly low minimum critical gelling concentrations of about 1.5 and 2.5 wt % in 0.1 M Tris buffer, pH 7, and with 0.02 M CaCl(2) in the same buffer, respectively. It is suggested that mainly the interactions of exposed hydrophobic regions generate the molecular association, initial aggregation, and gelation of the protein isolate during the thermal treatment. Hydrogen bonds reinforce the network rigidity of the protein on cooling and further stabilize the structure of Spirulina protein gels but alone are not sufficient to form a network structure. Intermolecular sulfhydryl and disulfide bonds were found to play a minor role for the network strength of Spirulina protein gels but affect the elasticity of the structures formed. Both time and temperature at isothermal heat-induced gelation within 40-80 degrees C affect substantially the network formation and the development of elastic modulus of Spirulina protein gels. This is also attributed to the strong temperature dependence of hydrophobic interactions. The aggregation, denaturation, and gelation properties of Spirulina algal protein isolate are likely to be controlled from protein-protein complexes rather than individual protein molecules.     

Effect of pH on the thermal denaturation of whey proteins in milk

The effect of pH on thermal denaturation of four main whey protein fractions in skim milk was examined by gel permeation FPLC. On heating skim milk at 80 degrees C for 0.5-20.0 min over the pH range 5.2-8.8, the extent of denaturation, based on loss of solubility at pH 4.6, increased with heating time and was usually in the order immunoglobulins > serum albumin/lactoferrin > beta-lactoglobulin > alpha-lactalbumin. Rates of denaturation of the immunoglobulins and the serum albumin/lactoferrin fraction were highest at the lower end of this pH range, whereas those of beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin increased over most of the pH range. The effects of pH, addition of Ca, and reduction of disulfide bonds on the rates of the unfolding and aggregation stages of denaturation are discussed.     

Effect of pH and ionic strength modifications on thermal denaturation of the 11S globulin of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Helianthinin, the main storage protein of sunflowers, has low water solubility and does not form a gel when heated; this behavior is different from other 11S globulins and limits its food applications. To understand this particular behavior, changes on helianthinin association-dissociation state induced by modifications in pH and ionic strength were analyzed. The influence of these different medium conditions on its thermal stability and tendency to form aggregates was also studied. Helianthinin behavior at different pH values and ionic strengths is similar to other 11S globulins except that it remains in a trimeric form at pH 11. Helianthinin thermal stability is higher than other 11S globulins but is lower than oat 11S globulin. Alkaline pH produces a 10 degrees C decrease of its denaturation temperature and also of the cooperativity of denaturation process, but it does not affect the denaturation activation energy. The decrease in thermal stability with the pH increase is also manifested by its tendency to form aggregates by SH/SS interchange reactions. When thermal treatments at alkaline pH are performed, all helianthinin subunits form aggregates, characterized by a higher proportion of beta-polypeptides than alpha-polypeptides, which is an indication that aggregation is accompanied by dissociation. Treatments at 80 degrees C are sufficient to induce aggregation but not to produce denaturation, and in these conditions hexameric forms remain after the treatment.     

糖接枝处理改善大豆蛋白纤维聚集体泡沫稳定性

为了探究糖接枝对大豆蛋白纤维聚集行为和泡沫性质的影响,明确蛋白质结构与功能的关系,该研究以大豆蛋白(soy protein isolation,SPI)和乳糖(lactose)为原料,通过干热法制备糖接枝大豆蛋白(SPI-lactose conjugate,SPI-Lac),以及在酸性条件下加热诱导其形成纤维聚集体(p H值2.0),制备了一种糖接枝大豆蛋白纤维聚集体(SPI-lactose conjugate fibillar aggregates),并考察了糖接枝对大豆蛋白的纤维聚集行为及泡沫性质的影响。研究结果表明:大豆蛋白在酸性条件下(p H值2.0)经加热后会发生水解,同时水解产物不断聚集形成大分子的纤维聚集体。糖接枝导致大豆蛋白的水解速度下降,但荧光光强和粒径的结果表明糖接枝能增强纤维聚集能力。SPI-Lac在中性条件下的溶解度(p H值5.0—7.0)显著高于SPI(P0.05),且不同时间处理的SPI-Lac纤维聚集体均能改善SPI在酸性条件下的溶解度(p H值2.0—5.0)。此外,不同时间处理的SPI-Lac纤维聚集体在酸性条件下的起泡能力均高于SPI纤维聚集体。SPI和SPI-Lac纤维聚集体的形成会导致SPI起泡能力的下降,但是短时间酸热处理形成的纤维聚集体泡沫稳定性得到显著改善。因此,糖接枝结合短时间酸热处理制备的糖接枝大豆蛋白纤维聚集体在中性条件下的泡沫稳定性显著提高(P0.05),是合理有效的蛋白质改性方法。     

适宜含水率保持油茶籽贮藏品质

为了确定油茶籽贮藏适宜的含水率,研究了在4℃,不同含水率(7%、10%、13%、16%、20%)油茶籽贮藏期间的品质变化。结果表明,较低的含水率能较好保持油茶籽的贮藏特性及营养品质。其中,含水率为7%的油茶籽贮藏效果较好,但与10%处理效果差异不明显(P>0.05)。在整个贮藏期,含水率为7%时油茶籽可溶性蛋白下降了13.05 mg/g,油酸含量下降了2.38%,酸值、过氧化值等品质指标上升速率较慢,同时能较好保持β-谷甾醇和角鲨烯等生物活性成分;其次是10%的含水率处理。而含水率为20%的油茶籽贮藏期间可溶性蛋白下降较快,贮藏结束时为25.47 mg/g,油茶籽劣变严重,所提取的油样品质变差,营养物质含量较少,因此含水率20%的油茶籽不适宜长期贮藏。综合考虑油茶籽品质因素和处理成本,认为控制含水率在10%以下能较好保持油茶籽的贮藏品质。该研究可为科学合理地贮藏油茶籽提供参考。     

高场强超声-加热联用增强大豆分离蛋白冷凝胶凝胶特性

为探究高场强超声技术对大豆分离蛋白葡萄糖酸内酯冷凝胶性的影响,该研究将高场强超声技术与加热处理联用,对大豆蛋白进行预处理后形成冷凝胶。采用质构仪、圆二色谱、荧光色谱、扫描电镜、电泳、粒度仪等多种表征手段,比较了2种高场强超声-加热联用工艺对大豆分离蛋白冷凝胶凝胶性的影响,并推测其作用机理。研究发现:与传统加热预处理相比,2种高场强超声-加热联用预处理都能够显著(P0.05)增强大豆分离蛋白冷凝胶的持水性和凝胶强度。工艺一(20 k Hz,400 W下先超声0、2、4、10 min后加热20 min)制备的冷凝胶的凝胶强度与持水性随超声时间的增加逐步增加(凝胶强度由(5.83±0.31)g增加到(46.37±1.15)g;持水性由42.04%±1.59%增加到81.74%±6.22%),而工艺二(先加热20 min后超声0、2、4、10 min)制备的冷凝胶的凝胶强度与持水性在较短超声时间内(4 min内)迅速增加(凝胶强度由(5.83±0.31)g增加到(37.57±2.57)g;持水性由42.03%±1.85%增加到79.31%±3.00%)。与工艺一相比,工艺二能够在较短超声时间内增强大豆分离蛋白冷凝胶性的机理可能在于:工艺二的处理方式,大豆蛋白经过热处理后充分展开、变性,使超声作用能在较短的时间内对大豆分离蛋白的二级结构和三级结构明显改变,暴露更多疏水基团,增加疏水环境和表面疏水性,增强蛋白在溶液中的溶解性,并增强大豆蛋白分子间的静电相互作用,从而形成致密、均一的微观凝胶结构,增加凝胶的持水性和凝胶强度。研究结果可为高场强超声-加热联用技术在大豆加工领域中的应用提供参考。     

Porphyran as a functional modifier of a soybean protein isolate through conjugation by the Maillard reaction

Porphyran (Por) prepared from dried nori was applied as a functional modifier of a soybean protein isolate (SPI) to conjugate with SPI from defatted soybean by the Maillard reaction (79% relative humidity and 60 degrees C for 7 days). Two kinds of partially denatured conjugate (Conj 45 and Conj 63) were obtained from the reaction product by sequential extraction at pH 4.5 and pH 6.3, and the respective yield and weight ratios of the SPI and Por moieties were 8.4% and 1:1 for Conj 45 and 11.7% and 1:0.16 for Conj 63. Conj 63 demonstrated improved solubility between pH 5.0 and pH 8.0, while Conj 45 exhibited substantially complete solubility over the pH range of 2.0-8.0. Conj 63 showed more tolerance against digestion with pancreatin than SPI, whereas this was lost after denaturation. Conj 63 and Conj 45 both showed a markedly higher emulsion activity index and emulsion stability than SPI, even at pH 3.0; in particular, Conj 45 exhibited outstanding emulsifying ability. Conj 63 had about a two-fold higher calcium-binding ability than SPI, and Conj 63 and Conj 45 did not aggregate with added Ca2+ and Mg2+. It is believed that Por could be a valuable functional modifier of SPI for providing soybean protein-based liquid foods such as beverages by conjugation through the Maillard reaction.     

Structural rearrangement of ethanol-denatured soy proteins by high hydrostatic pressure treatment

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (100-500 MPa) on solubility and structural properties of ethanol (EtOH)-denatured soy β-conglycinin and glycinin were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy. HHP treatment above 200 MPa, especially at neutral and alkaline pH as well as low ionic strength, significantly improved the solubility of denatured soy proteins. Structural rearrangements of denatured β-conglycinin subjected to high pressure were confirmed, as evidenced by the increase in enthalpy value (ΔH) and the formation of the ordered supramolecular structure with stronger intramolecular hydrogen bond. HHP treatment (200-400 MPa) caused an increase in surface hydrophobicity (F(max)) of β-conglycinin, partially attributable to the exposure of the Tyr and Phe residues, whereas higher pressure (500 MPa) induced the decrease in F(max) due to hydrophobic rearrangements. The Trp residues in β-conglycinin gradually transferred into a hydrophobic environment, which might further support the finding of structural rearrangements. In contrast, increasing pressure induced the progressive unfolding of denatured glycinin, accompanied by the movement of the Tyr and Phe residues to the molecular surface of protein. These results suggested that EtOH-denatured β-conglycinin and glycinin were involved in different pathways of structural changes during HHP treatment.     

Effects of ethanol on structure and solubility of potato proteins and the effects of its presence during the preparation of a protein isolate

In this study, a protein isolate with a high solubility at neutral pH was prepared from industrial potato juice by precipitation at pH 5 in the presence of ethanol. The effects of ethanol itself and the effects of its presence during precipitation on the properties of various potato protein fractions were examined. The presence of ethanol significantly reduced the denaturation temperature of potato proteins, indicating that the preparation of this potato protein isolate should be performed at low temperature in order to retain a high solubility. In the presence of ethanol, the thermal unfolding of the tertiary and the secondary structure of patatin was shown to be almost completely independent. Even at 4 degrees C, precipitation of potato proteins in the presence of ethanol induced significant conformational changes. These changes did, however, only result in minor changes in the solubility of the potato protein fractions as a function of pH and heat treatment temperature.     

高压微射流压力对大豆蛋白-大豆多糖体系功能性质的影响

为提升大豆分离蛋白（soy protein isolate,SPI）的功能性质,该文引入大豆可溶性多糖（soybean soluble polysaccharides,SSPS）,构建大豆分离蛋白-大豆可溶性多糖体系（SPI-SSPS）,研究动态高压微射流（dynamic high-pressure microfluidization,DHPM）处理对SPI-SSPS功能特性的影响。分别采用0,60,100,140和180 MPa的 DHPM压力处理SPI-SSPS,探究不同压力对SPI-SSPS起泡特性、乳化特性、溶解性、粒度分布和表面疏水性的影响。结果表明,DHPM处理能提高SPI的溶解性和起泡特性,且SSPS的存在能显著提高DHPM对SPI功能性质的改善效果（P<0.05）。100和60 MPa的DHPM处理能使SPI-SSPS呈现较高的起泡能力和起泡稳定性,分别为未处理样品的1.2和2.4倍。140 MPa的DHPM处理使SPI-SSPS溶解性较强,为未处理样品的1.8倍。然而,DHPM处理会显著降低SPI-SSPS的乳化特性、粒径和表面疏水性（P<0.05）。随着处理压力的增加,SPI-SSPS的粒度和表面疏水性逐渐降低,在180MPa的DHPM处理下SPI-SSPS具有较小的粒径和较低的荧光强度。综上所述,DHPM结合SSPS改性技术可用于改善SPI的功能性质（如溶解性、起泡性）,促进SPI在食品工业的应用。该文的研究结果可为SPI的功能性质改性提供参考。     

Changes in sulfhydryl content of egg white proteins due to heat and pressure treatment

The sulfhydryl (SH) content of egg white proteins (10% v/v or 9.64 mg of protein/mL) after heat (50-85 degrees C) and combined heat- and high-pressure treatments (100-700 MPa, 10-60 degrees C) was determined using 5',5-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB), both for the soluble fraction and the total protein fraction. Only irreversible changes were taken into account. Both physical treatments were performed at two pH levels: pH 7.6, corresponding to the pH of fresh egg white, and pH 8.8, corresponding to that of aged egg white. Both heat and combined heat- and high-pressure treatment resulted in an exposure of buried SH groups. These exposed SH groups were involved in the formation of disulfide bond stabilized protein aggregates, as shown by gel electrophoresis. Under severe processing conditions (above 70 degrees C at atmospheric pressure or above 500-600 MPa, depending on the temperature applied), a decrease in total SH content could be observed, probably due to the formation of disulfide bonds by oxidation, especially at alkaline pH when the thiolate anion was more reactive. The high degree of exposure of sulfhydryl groups, and subsequent oxidation and sulfhydryl-disulfide bond exchange reactions resulting in soluble aggregates, can explain why pressure-induced egg white gels are softer and more elastic than heat-induced ones. When pressure treatment was performed at low temperatures (e.g., 10 degrees C), a lower pressure was required to induce similar changes in the sulfhydryl content, as compared to higher temperatures (e.g., 25 degrees C), indicating an antagonistic effect between pressure and temperature in the domain studied (10-60 degrees C, 100-700 MPa). Treatment conditions resulting in extensive protein insolubilization were accompanied by a transfer of free sulfhydryl groups from the soluble to the insoluble protein fraction. These SH groups were mainly accessible to DTNB.     

Effect of high-pressure processing on activity and structure of alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in buffer and milk

Changes in the activity and structure of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were investigated after high pressure processing (HPP). HPP treatments (206-620 MPa for 6 and 12 min) were applied to ALP and LDH prepared in buffer, fat-free milk, and 2% fat milk. Enzyme activities were measured using enzymatic assays, and changes in structure were investigated using far-ultraviolet circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and dynamic light scattetering (DLS). Kinetic data indicated that the activity of ALP was not affected after 6 min of pressure treatments (206-620 MPa), regardless of the medium in which the enzyme was prepared. Increasing the processing time to 12 min did significantly reduce the activity of ALP at 620 MPa (P < 0.001). However, even the lowest HPP treatment of 206 MPa induced a reduction in LDH activity, and the course of reduction increased with HPP treatment until complete inactivation at 482, 515, and 620 MPa. CD data demonstrated a partial change in the secondary structure of ALP at 620 MPa, whereas the structure of LDH showed gradual denaturation after exposure at 206 MPa for 6 min, leading to a random coil structure at both 515 and 620 MPa. DLS results indicated aggregation of ALP only at HPP treatment of 206 MPa and not above and enzyme precipitation as well as aggregation at 345, 415, 482, and 515 MPa. The loss of LDH activity with increasing pressure and time treatment was due to the combined effects of denaturation and aggregation.     

Influence of sucrose on the thermal denaturation, gelation, and emulsion stabilization of whey proteins

The influence of sucrose (0-40 wt %) on the thermal denaturation and functionality of whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions has been studied. The effect of sucrose on the heat denaturation of 0.2 wt % WPI solutions (pH 7.0) was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. Sucrose increased the temperature at which protein denaturation occurred, for example, by 6-8 degrees C for 40 wt % sucrose. The dynamic shear rheology of 10 wt % WPI solutions (pH 7.0, 100 mM NaCl) was monitored as they were heated from 30 to 90 degrees C and then cooled to 30 degrees C. Sucrose increased the gelation temperature and the final rigidity of the cooled gels. The degree of flocculation in 10 wt % oil-in-water emulsions stabilized by 1 wt % WPI (pH 7.0, 100 mM NaCl) was measured using a light scattering technique after they were heated at fixed temperatures from 30 to 90 degrees C for 15 min and then cooled to 30 degrees C. Sucrose increased the temperature at which maximum flocculation was observed and increased the extent of droplet flocculation. These results are interpreted in terms of the influence of sucrose on the thermal unfolding and aggregation of protein molecules.     

Influence of pH and ionic strength on heat-induced formation and rheological properties of soy protein gels in relation to denaturation and their protein compositions

The influence of pH and ionic strength on gel formation and gel properties of soy protein isolate (SPI) in relation to denaturation and protein aggregation/precipitation was studied. Denaturation proved to be a prerequisite for gel formation under all conditions of pH and ionic strength studied. Gels exhibited a low stiffness at pH >6 and a high stiffness at pH <6. This might be caused by variations in the association/dissociation behavior of the soy proteins on heating as a function of pH, as indicated by the different protein compositions of the dissolved protein after heating. At pH 3-5 all protein seems to participate in the network, whereas at pH >5 less protein and especially fewer acidic polypeptides take part in the network, coinciding with less stiff gels. At pH 7.6, extensive rearrangements in the network structure took place during prolonged heating, whereas at pH 3.8 rearrangements did not occur.     

Unfolding and refolding of beta-lactoglobulin subjected to high hydrostatic pressure at different pH values and temperatures and its influence on proteolysis

The unfolding of beta-lactoglobulin during high-pressure treatment and its refolding after decompression were studied by 1H NMR and 2H/1H exchange at pH 6.8 and 2.5 and at 37 and 25 degrees C. The extent of unfolding increased with the pressure level. The structure of beta-lactoglobulin required higher pressures to unfold at pH 2.5 than at pH 6.8. More flexibility was achieved at 37 degrees C than at 25 degrees C. Results indicated that the structural region formed by strands F, G, and H was more resistant to unfold under acidic and neutral conditions. The exposure of Trp19 at an earlier time, as compared to other protein regions, supports the formation of a swollen structural state at pH 2.5. Refolding was achieved faster when beta-lactoglobulin was subjected to 200 MPa than to 400 MPa, to 37 degrees C than to 25 degrees C, and to acidic than to neutral pH. After treatment at 400 MPa for 20 min at neutral pH, the protein native structure was not recovered. All samples at acidic pH showed that the protein quickly regained its structure. Hydrolysis of beta-lactoglobulin by pepsin and chymotrypsin could be related to pressure-induced changes in the structure of the protein. Compared to the behavior of the protein at atmospheric pressure, no increased proteolysis was found in samples with no increased flexibility (100 MPa, 37 degrees C, pH 2.5). Slightly flexible structures were associated with significantly increased proteolysis (100 MPa, 37 degrees C, pH 6.8; 200 MPa, 37 degrees C, pH 2.5). Highly flexible structures were associated with very fast proteolysis (>or=200 MPa, 37 degrees C, pH 6.8; >or=300 MPa, 37 degrees C, pH 2.5). Proteolysis of prepressurized samples improved only when the protein was significantly changed after the pressure treatment (400 MPa, 25 degrees C, 20 min, pH 6.8).     

Effects of pH and heat treatments on the structure and solubility of potato proteins in different preparations

The soluble potato proteins are mainly composed of patatin and protease inhibitors. Using DSC and both far-UV and near-UV CD spectroscopy, it was shown that potato proteins unfold between 55 and 75 degrees C. Increasing the ionic strength from 15 to 200 mM generally caused an increase in denaturation temperature. It was concluded that either the dimeric protein patatin unfolds in its monomeric state or its monomers are loosely associated and unfold independently. Thermal unfolding of the protease inhibitors was correlated with a decrease in protease inhibitor activities and resulted in an ionic strength dependent loss of protein solubility. Potato proteins were soluble at neutral and strongly acidic pH values. The tertiary structure of patatin was irreversibly altered by precipitation at pH 5. At mildly acidic pH the overall potato protein solubility was dependent on ionic strength and the presence of unfolded patatin.     

Conformational study of globulin from common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to study changes in the conformation of globulin from common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) (BWG) under various environmental conditions. The IR spectrum of the native BWG showed several major bands from 1691 to 1636 cm(-1) in the amide I' region, and the secondary structure composition was estimated as 34.5% beta-sheets, 20.0% beta-turns, 16.0% alpha-helices, and 14.4% random coils. Highly acidic and alkaline pH conditions induced decreases in beta-sheet and alpha-helical contents, as well as in denaturation temperature (Td) and enthalpy of denaturation (DeltaH), as shown in the DSC thermograms. Addition of chaotropic salts (1.0 M) caused progressive decreases in ordered structures and thermal stability following the lyotropic series of anions. The presence of several protein structure perturbants also led to changes in IR band intensities and DSC thermal stabilities, suggesting protein unfolding. Intermolecular antiparallel beta-sheet (1620 and 1681 cm(-1)) band intensities started to increase when BWG was heated to 90 degrees C, suggesting the initiation of protein aggregation. Increasing the time of the preheat treatment (at 100 degrees C) caused progressive increases in Td and pronounced decreases in DeltaH, suggesting partial denaturation and reassociation of protein molecules.     

Changes in trout hemoglobin conformations and solubility after exposure to acid and alkali pH

The effect of different acid and alkali treatments followed by pH readjustment on solubility and conformation of trout hemoglobins was investigated. At low pH (1.5-3.5) hemoglobin was unfolded at faster rates as the pH was lowered. Inclusion of 500 mM NaCl at low pH significantly increased the rate of unfolding. At alkaline pH (10-12) the conformation of hemoglobin was much less affected than at acid pH, and the presence of salt had little additional effect. When hemoglobin solutions were adjusted to neutrality at different stages of unfolding, the recovery of native structure on refolding was proportional to the extent of unfolding prior to pH readjustment: the more unfolded the protein, the less was the recovery of native structure. The presence of salt led to a smaller recovery of native structure. The more improperly unfolded the hemoglobin was (and hydrophobic), the lower was its solubility. Results suggest that the presence of NaCl (25-500 mM) may not only interfere with the refolding process but also enhance the hydrophobic interactions of improperly refolded hemoglobin, possibly due to charge screening. These results show that proper control of unfolding and refolding time and ionic strength in processes using highly acidic or alkaline conditions can minimize loss of hemoglobin solubility.