Transglutaminase-set colloidal properties of wheat gluten with ultrasound pretreatments

Abstract

The low solubility of wheat gluten limits its accessibility. This work aimed to study the impact of ultrasonic pretreatments on the gelation of wheat gluten. The pretreatments included ultrasound combined with alkali, urea, Na₂SO₃, with or without the addition of transglutaminase (TGase). The gel strength of wheat gluten was 287g/cm² after treatment with Na₂SO₃/ultrasound/TGase. The free sulfhydryl and disulfide bond content was significantly affected by ultrasound treatment. After treatments including TGase crosslinking, the molecular weight of wheat gluten complexes became larger. The network formed by the wheat gluten was transformed into a dense and homogenous structure after the pretreatment with Na₂SO₃/ultrasound/TGase. The content of random coil of wheat gluten increased. The gelation of wheat gluten could also be significantly enhanced by Na₂SO₃/ultrasound treatment followed by TGase treatment. Using physical and chemical pretreatments to allow TGase to enhance the gelation of wheat gluten may increase its uses as a food additive.

Keywords: Colloidal properties; Transglutaminase; Ultrasonic pretreatment; Wheat gluten.