Whey protein isolate Protein amyloid fibrils Pickering emulsion Structural features Emulsifying characteristics
Abstract :
[en] Whey protein isolate amyloid fibrils (WPIFs) were prepared via acidic thermal treatment at pH 2.0, 85 • C for10 h. The aim was to investigate the influence of different pH values (2.0-8.0) on the structural features of WPIFs and emulsifying properties of WPIFs-stabilized Pickering emulsions. Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence confirmed WPIFs formation at pH 2.0. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that WPIFs maintained long fibrils at pH 2.0-3.0, whereas short fibrils were observed at pH 7.0-8.0. At pH 4.0-6.0, WPIFs underwent aggregation which resulted in increased particle size and decreased zeta potential, with the most distinct aggregates forming at pH 5.0. The structure of WPIFs affected by pH changes determined the emulsification of WPIFs Pickering emulsions. Specifically, WPIFs at pH 5.0 exhibited relatively low emulsifying activity index (EAI) of 14.84 ± 0.37 m 2 /g and high emulsifying stability index (ESI) of 93.25 ± 1.54%. WPIFs Pickering emulsion at pH 5.0 showed increased droplet sizes and enhanced viscoelasticity. The results indicated that the emulsifying properties of WPIFs Pickering emulsions were dependent on the structural features of WPIFs. These findings provide valuable insights into the pH-dependent structural regulation of WPIFs and highlight the application prospects of amyloid fibril-stabilized Pickering emulsions.
Disciplines :
Food science
Author, co-author :
Cheng, Caiyun; College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
Xu, Qian; College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
Li, Yang; Global R&D Innovation Center, Mengniu Institute of Nutrition Science, Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
Haubruge, Eric ; Université de Liège - ULiège > GxABT : Services généraux du site > Site GxABT - Gestion de site
Liao, Ning; College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
Zhu, Guangsu; College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
Liu, Kunlun ; College of Food Science and Engineering, Henan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China
Language :
English
Title :
Impact of pH shifting on structural and emulsifying characteristics of whey protein isolate amyloid fibrils
Anvari, M., Tabarsa, M., Cao, R., You, S., Joyner, H. S., Behnam, S., & Rezaei, M. (2016). Compositional characterization and rheological properties of an anionic gum from Alyssum homolocarpum seeds. Food Hydrocolloids, 52, 766-773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2015.07.030
Cao, Y., & Mezzenga, R. (2019). Food protein amyloid fibrils: Origin, structure, formation, characterization, applications and health implications. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 269, 334-356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cis.2019.05.002
Chang, H. W., Tan, T. B., Tan, P. Y., Abas, F., Lai, O. M., Nehdi, I. A., & Tan, C. P. (2017). Formation and characterization of thiol-modified fibrillated whey protein isolate solution with enhanced functionalities. Journal of Food Engineering, 214, 277-286. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.07.015
Chen, D., Fang, F., Federici, E., Campanella, O., & Jones, O. G. (2020). Rheology, microstructure and phase behavior of potato starch-protein fibril mixed gel. Carbohydrate Polymers, 239, 116247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.116247
Chen, D., Pinho, L. S., Federici, E., Zuo, X., Ilavsky, J., Kuzmenko, I., Yang, Z., Jones, O. G., & Campanella, O. (2022). Heat accelerates degradation of β-lactoglobulin fibrils at neutral pH. Food Hydrocolloids, 124, 107291. Ihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107291
Cheng, C., Yuan, C., Cui, B., Li, J., & Liu, G. (2024). β-Cyclodextrin based Pickering emulsions for α-tocopherol delivery: Antioxidation stability and bioaccessibility. Food Chemistry, 438, 138000. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138000
Cheng, C., Yuan, C., Cui, B., Lu, L., Li, J., & Sha, H. (2023). Interfacial behavior of cyclodextrins at the oil-water interface of Pickering emulsion. Food Hydrocolloids, 134, 108104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108104
Cui, F., McClements, D. J., Liu, X., Liu, F., & Ngai, T. (2022). Development of pH-responsive emulsions stabilized by whey protein fibrils. Food Hydrocolloids, 122, 107067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107067
Farrokhi, F., Badii, F., Ehsani, M. R., & Hashemi, M. (2019). Functional and thermal properties of nanofibrillated whey protein isolate as functions of denaturation temperature and solution pH. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 583, 124002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.124002
Farrokhi, F., Badii, F., Ehsani, M. R., & Hashemi, M. (2020). Effect of pH-dependent fibrillar structure on enzymatic hydrolysis and bioactivity of nanofibrillated whey protein. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 131, 109709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109709
Gao, Z., Zhao, J., Huang, Y., Yao, X., Zhang, K., Fang, Y., Nishinari, K., Phillips, G. O., & Yang, H. (2017). Edible Pickering emulsion stabilized by protein fibrils. Part 1: Effects of pH and fibrils concentration. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 76, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2016.10.038
Jansens, K. J., Rombouts, I., Grootaert, C., Brijs, K., Van Camp, J., Van der Meeren, P., Rousseau, F., Schymkowitz, J., & Delcour, J. A. (2019). Rational design of amyloid-like fibrillary structures for tailoring food protein techno-functionality and their potential health implications. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 18(1), 84-105. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12404
Ji, F., Xu, J., Ouyang, Y., Mu, D., Li, X., Luo, S., Shen, Y., & Zheng, Z. (2021). Effects of NaCl concentration and temperature on fibrillation, structure, and functional properties of soy protein isolate fibril dispersions. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 149, 111862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2021.111862
Jiang, F., Chen, C., Wang, X., Huang, W., Jin, W., & Huang, Q. (2022). Effect of fibril entanglement on Pickering emulsions stabilized by whey protein fibrils for nobiletin delivery. Foods, 11(11), 1626. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11111626
Jiang, F., Pan, Y., Peng, D., Huang, W., Shen, W., Jin, W., & Huang, Q. (2022). Tunable self-assemblies of whey protein isolate fibrils for pickering emulsions structure regulation. Food Hydrocolloids, 124, 107264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107264
Ju, Q., Wu, C., Zhou, H., Qin, D., Hu, X., McClements, D. J., & Luan, G. (2024). Roles of soybean β-conglycinin subunit fractions in fibril formation and the effects of glycinin on them. Food Hydrocolloids, 152, 109906. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109906
Khan, A. N., & Khan, R. H. (2022). Protein misfolding and related human diseases: A comprehensive review of toxicity, proteins involved, and current therapeutic strategies. International journal of biological macromolecules, 223, 143-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.11.031
Koo, C. K., Chung, C., Ogren, T., Mutilangi, W., & McClements, D. J. (2018). Extending protein functionality: Microfluidization of heat denatured whey protein fibrils. Journal of Food Engineering, 223, 189-196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2017.10.020
Koo, C. K., Chung, C., Picard, R., Ogren, T., Mutilangi, W., & McClements, D. J. (2018). Modulation of physical properties of microfluidized whey protein fibrils with chitosan. Food Research International, 113, 149-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2018.07.012
Lin, Y., Du, H., Roos, Y., & Miao, S. (2023). Binary complexes of whey protein fibers/isolates and fish gelatins for emulsion stabilization. Food Hydrocolloids, 143, 108880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108880
Lin, Y., Roos, Y. H., & Miao, S. (2025). The effect of whey/soy protein fibril systems on the properties of fish gelatin stabilized emulsion gels. Food Hydrocolloids, 159, 110655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110655
Liu, G., Li, W., Qin, X., & Zhong, Q. (2020). Pickering emulsions stabilized by amphiphilic anisotropic nanofibrils of glycated whey proteins. Food Hydrocolloids, 101, 105503. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2019.105503
Liu, H., Liu, C., McClements, D. J., Xu, X., Bai, C., Sun, Q., Xu, F., & Dai, L. (2024). Reinforcement of heat-set whey protein gels using whey protein nanofibers: Impact of nanofiber morphology and pH values. Food Hydrocolloids, 153, 109954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109954
Liu, C., Wang, Y., Dai, X., Zhang, Y., Yang, Y., Jiang, B., Li, D., & Feng, Z. (2024). Post-self-assemble of whey protein isolation nanofibrils and its contribution to the stability of pickering emulsion. Food Hydrocolloids, 151, 109766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109766
Meng, Y., Jiang, H., Ji, H., Li, X., Julian, M. D., Sang, S., Jin, Z., Wang, J., & Qiu, C. (2024). Co-encapsulation of curcumin and piperine in whey protein isolate fibrils improves their water dispersibility and antioxidant activity. Food Bioscience, 58, 103750. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.103750
Meng, Y., Wei, Z., & Xue, C. (2022). Protein fibrils from different food sources: A review of fibrillation conditions, properties, applications and research trends. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 121, 59-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2022.01.031
Mohammadian, M., & Madadlou, A. (2018). Technological functionality and biological properties of food protein nanofibrils formed by heating at acidic condition. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 75, 115-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2018.03.013
Ouyang, K., Xie, H., Wang, Y., Woo, M. W., Chen, Q., Lai, S., Xiong, H., & Zhao, Q. (2023). Whey protein isolate nanofibrils formed with phosphoric acid: Formation, structural characteristics, and emulsion stability. Food Hydrocolloids, 135, 108170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108170
Ouyang, K., Xie, H., Wu, K., Xiong, H., & Zhao, Q. (2024). Improving fermented milk products using pH-responsive whey protein fibrils: a case study on stirred yogurt. Food Bioscience, 60, 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104507
Pang, S., Shao, P., Sun, Q., Pu, C., & Tang, W. (2020). Relationship between the emulsifying properties and formation time of rice bran protein fibrils. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 122, 108985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2019.108985
Qi, X., Li, Y., Zhang, W., Shen, M., Chen, Y., Yu, Q., & Xie, J. (2024). Proteolysis improves the foaming properties of rice protein fibrils: Structure, physicochemical properties changes, and application in angel food cake. Food Chemistry, 437, 137765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.137765
Wang, Z., Deng, Y., Zhang, Y., Wei, Z., Wan, Z., Li, C., Tang, X., Zhao, Z., Zhou, P., Li, P., Liu, G., & Zhang, M. (2023). Impacts of citric acid concentration and pH value on mechanism and rheological properties of cold-set whey protein fibrils hydrogels. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 183, 114872.
Xu, Q., Cheng, C., Li, Q., Zhu, G., Wei, Y., & Liu, K. (2025a). Comparison of formation and structural characteristics of amyloid fibrils of peanut protein isolate after hydration treatment at different pH. Food Hydrocolloids, 159, 110599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110599
Xu, Q., Cheng, C., Li, Q., Zhu, G., Wei, Y., & Liu, K. (2025b). Concentration-regulated fibrillation of peanut protein: Formation, structural characteristics, and emulsifying properties. Food Hydrocolloids, 167, 111421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2025.111421
Xu, J., Tang, M., Wang, D., Xie, Q., & Xu, X. (2024). Exploring the self-assembly journey of oat globulin fibrils: From structural evolution to modified functionality. Food Hydrocolloids, 149, 109587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.109587
Xu, X., Zhang, Y., Han, M., & Guo, Q. (2024). Whey protein fibrils enhance fat-related texture of emulsion systems: Translating structural changes to textural perception. Food Hydrocolloids, 146, 109208. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.109208
Zeng, X., Wang, Y., Yang, S., Liu, Y., Li, X., & Liu, D. (2024). The functionalities and applications of whey/whey protein in fermented foods: A review. Food Science and Biotechnology, 33(4), 769-790. 10.1007/s10068-023-01460-5.
Zhang, Y., Lv, X., Abker, A. M., Oh, D. H., Kassem, J. M., Salama, M., & Fu, X. (2024). Research progress of protein fibrils: A review of formation mechanism, characterization and applications in the food field. Food Hydrocolloids, 155, 110199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110199
Zhang, Y., Wang, Y., Zhang, R., Yu, J., Gao, Y., & Mao, L. (2022). Tuning the rheological and tribological properties to simulate oral processing of novel high internal phase oleogel-in-water emulsions. Food Hydrocolloids, 131, 107757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107757
Zhao, J., Chang, B., Hu, Y., Wang, X., Cao, Z., Zhang, Y., Xu, Z., & Sui, X. (2025). Adsorption mechanism of soy protein amyloid fibrils with different morphological structures at the interface of oil-in-water emulsion. Food Hydrocolloids, 162, 110899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110899
Zhao, H., Xu, X., Yuan, B., Qi, B., & Li, Y. (2024). Fibrillation of soy protein isolate in the presence of metal ions: Structure and gelation behavior. Food Chemistry, 453, 139672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139672
Zheng, Y., Gao, Y., Chang, Y., Sun, C., & Fang, Y. (2023). Concentration-regulated fibrillation of soy protein: Structure and in vitro digestion. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(29), 11170-11179. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c02206
Zheng, F., Yang, Q., Yuan, C., Guo, L., Li, Z., Zhang, J., Nishinari, K., & Cui, B. (2024). Characterizations of corn starch edible films reinforced with whey protein isolate fibrils. Food Hydrocolloids, 147, 109412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.109412
Zhu, F. (2024). Modifications of whey proteins for emulsion based applications: Current status, issues and prospectives. Food Research International, 178, 113935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.113935