Proteins from pseudocereal seeds: solubility, extraction, and modifications of the physicochemical and techno-functional properties

Pseudocereals (amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa) are emerging as popular gluten-free crops. This may be attributed to their wide-ranging health benefits, including antioxidant, hypoglycemic and serum-cholesterol reducing properties. Proteins of these crops have a high nutritional quality as a result of the presence of essential amino acids. Additionally, amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa proteins (AP, BP and QP, respectively) have physicochemical properties that are useful for the manufacture of different types of food. However, native pseudocereal proteins demonstrate a low solubility in water, mainly because of their composition. The major components of these proteins are albumins (water-soluble) and globulins (salt-soluble), although some proportions of glutelin (alkali-soluble) and prolamins (alcohol-soluble) are also found. The most commonly used method for extracting pseudocereal proteins is the alkaline extraction method, which may contribute to the low solubility of pseudocereal protein. Fortunately, different methods for modifying physicochemical (or techno-functional) properties have been proposed to extend their industrial application. For example, high-intensity ultrasound (HIUS) proved useful for improving the solubility of API and QP. Heating can allow for the formation of soluble aggregates of QP. The combination of heating and HIUS can improve the digestibility, solubility and foam properties of AP. Conjugation through the Maillard reaction can improve BPI and QP interfacial properties. Thus, present study provides a review of the solubility, extraction and modification of the techno-functional properties of AP, BP and QP. (c) 2022 Society of Chemical Industry

Automated summary

Pseudocereals (amaranth, buckwheat, and quinoa) are gaining popularity as gluten-free crops due to their health benefits and high nutritional quality. However, the low solubility of their proteins in water limits their industrial applications. Various methods, including high-intensity ultrasound, heating, and conjugation, have been proposed to modify the physicochemical properties of these proteins and improve their solubility and functional properties.