Techniques to improve the functional properties of whey proteins

Devabattini Sharika 1, *, Hemalatha Ganapathyswamy 2, S. Kanchana 3, M.L. Mini 4 and M. Jeya Bharathi 1

1 Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Community Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India.
2 Department of Food Policy and Public Health Nutrition, Community Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India.
3 Community Science College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India.
4 Department of Biotechnology, Agriculture College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai, India.
 
Review
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2024, 07(01), 001–016​.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2024.7.1.0121
Publication history: 
Received on 21 November 2023; revised on 31 December 2023; accepted on 02 January 2024​
 
Abstract: 
Whey protein (WP) is a high-quality protein found in milk with a high nutritional value and also distinct physiological functions. Whey protein in its natural state is extremely unstable and hence, many modification techniques have been designed to enhance WP stability for diverse food applications, each with a unique set of characteristics. This paper reviews physical, enzymatic, and chemical methods for modifying whey protein, as well as innovative strategies. The traditional physical methods include thermal processing, texturization, freeze modification, high moisture extrusion, while the enzymatic procedures primarily consist of enzymatic hydrolysis and enzymatic cross-linking, and the ternary system is one of the most commonly adopted chemical processes. Among the novel processing techniques, those most commonly experimented include, high pressure shearing, ultrasound treatment, high hydrostatic pressure, pulsed electric field, and cold plasma technology. This article summarizes the mechanisms of various modification methods of WP structure, texture and other functional properties and their effects on whey protein characteristics, as well as future prospects of development of whey protein modification techniques and its food applications.

 

Keywords: 
Whey protein; Modification techniques; Functional properties; Food applications; Texturization
 
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