In this study, we assessed the effects of microwave irradiation of wheat gluten proteins as a pretreatment performed in a microwave reactor that could accurately control process parameters as a function of power and temperature, as well as comparing it with conventional heat treatment. The aim was to identify suitable combinations of partial enzymatic hydrolysis and microwave pretreatment parameters to produce gluten hydrolysates with reduced allergenicity and conserved techno-functional features for food application. FTIR analysis, and total and reactive SH group contents confirmed that the microwave-controlled heating can significantly change the secondary structure and conformation of gluten protein. The microwave treatment had the largest effect at 200 W and 100 °C, at which the content of gluten has been reduced by about 2.5-fold. The microwave pretreatment also accelerated the enzymatic hydrolysis of gluten, changing the kinetic profile. The apparent hydrolysis rate constants (k2) were 1.00, 3.68, 3.48, 4.64 and 4.17 min-1 for untreated gluten, and those pretreated with microwave power of 200, 400, 600 and 800 W, respectively. Compared to the heat treatment, it appeared that microwave specific non-thermal effects had a significant influence on the gluten structure and allergenicity and, in combination with the enzymatic hydrolysis, ultimately yielded protein hydrolysates with enhanced antioxidant and functional properties.
Keywords: Alcalase; allergenicity; antioxidant activity; enzymatic hydrolysis; microwave reactor; techno-functional properties; wheat gluten.