Effect of Oxidation on the Emulsifying Properties of Myofibrillar Proteins

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of chemical oxidation on the emulsifying properties of myofibrillar proteins. Myofibrillar proteins were oxidized by a hydroxyl radical generating system (Fenton reaction). Structural changes of oxidized or non-oxidized myofibrillar proteins were determined using surface hydrophobicity (H-0) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results suggested that H-0 increased (p < 0.05) after treatment with oxidizing agent. Result from FTIR suggested that protein aggregation occurred and there was an increase in beta-sheet structure accompanied by a decrease in turns, alpha helix, and random structures with the increase of oxidizing agent. Changes in zeta potential of the test emulsions suggested that protein oxidation could alter the electric charge of myofibrillar proteins. The analysis of the emulsions showed that protein oxidation had a negative effect on the emulsifying properties of myofibrillar proteins due to changes in electric charge, surface active properties, and protein molecular flexibility.