Functionality of glycomacropeptide glycated with lactose and maltodextrin

The Maillard reaction (MR), under proper environmental conditions, has been used to improve protein functionality. In the present work, 2 high temperatures (50-80 degrees C) and water activity (Aw; 0.45-0.67) were used to promote exogenous glycosylation of glycomacropeptide (GMP) while minimizing processing times (0, 8, 24, 48, and 96 h at 50 degrees C; 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h at 80 degrees C). Maltodextrin, a polysaccharide commonly used in the food industry as a functional ingredient, was used as a reducing sugar, and compared with lactose, a native milk sugar. The progression of MR was evaluated by tracking changes in molecular weight using SDS-PAGE, the formation of Amadori compounds, and browning. Aqueous glycosylated GMP solutions (5 to 20% wt/vol) were tested for solubility, rheological properties, and foam formation. As expected, MR progression was faster with Aw = 0.67 and 80 degrees C. Glycosylated GMP powders showed no change in their solubility after MR. However, the apparent viscosity ((gamma)over dot = 30 s(-1)) of the 20% wt/vol suspensions exhibited a slight increase when GMP was glycosylated with maltodextrin for 24 h at 80 degrees C, and a 2-log increase when GMP was glycosylated with lactose, with a high browning development in both cases. The foam expansion index of the resuspended glycosylated powders was increased by between 25 and 66% compared with the nonglycosylated powders. Better foam stability (approximately 2 h) and no browning development were observed for GMP glycosylated with maltodextrin for 2 h at Aw = 0.67 and 80 degrees C. The results show that GMP has undergone further glycosylation by means of controlled MR, which improves viscosity and foaming index without negatively affecting solubility. These preliminary studies provide a basis for the future creation of a new ingredient with GMP and reducing sugars.

Automated summary

This study investigates the controlled Maillard reaction (MR) to further glycosylate glycomacropeptide (GMP), improving its viscosity and foaming properties without negatively affecting solubility.