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Volume 31
Issue 2
10.3390/molecules31020287
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Review

Recent Insights into Protein-Polyphenol Complexes: Molecular Mechanisms, Processing Technologies, Synergistic Bioactivities, and Food Applications

by
Hoang Duy Huynh
1,2,3,†,
Thanh Huong Tran Thi
3,†,
Thanh Xuan Tran Thi
3,
Parushi Nargotra
4,
Hui-Min David Wang
5,
Yung-Chuan Liu
4,* and
Chia-Hung Kuo
1,2,6,*
1
Department of Seafood Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
2
Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
3
Faculty of Applied Technology, Yersin University of Dalat, Dalat 670000, Vietnam
4
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
5
Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
6
Center for Aquatic Products Inspection Service, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Molecules 2026, 31(2), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020287
Submission received: 30 September 2025 / Revised: 25 December 2025 / Accepted: 5 January 2026 / Published: 13 January 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Valorization of Food, Agricultural By-Products and Waste, 2nd Edition)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Modifying proteins through grafting with polyphenols has received much attention recently due to its immense application potential. This stems from the formation of protein-polyphenol complexes, altering the structural and functional properties of the constituent molecules. In food systems, the interaction between proteins and polyphenols, including covalent and non-covalent binding, represents a green, simple, and effective strategy to transform difficult-to-process protein sources into high-value functional ingredients. In addition, the complexes formed can increase stability, biological activity, and bioavailability of polyphenols, thereby expanding their applications. Gaining insight into protein-polyphenol complexes is essential for developing novel complexes, formulations, and other applications utilizing protein and natural polyphenols. Thus, this review outlines the binding affinities and interaction mechanisms, explains factors affecting complex formation, revisits structural modulation of protein, modern processing technologies, and systematically discusses the synergistic bioactivities of the resulting complexes. We also discuss strategies to address the applications of protein–polyphenol complexes for developing functional food products with prolonged shelf life. These applications can be expanded to other industrial areas, such as pharmaceuticals and material engineering, contributing towards better nutritional quality, beneficial healthy aspects, and sustainability.
Keywords: protein-polyphenol complexes; bioactive compounds; molecular mechanisms; synergistic effects; preservation protein-polyphenol complexes; bioactive compounds; molecular mechanisms; synergistic effects; preservation

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Huynh, H.D.; Thi, T.H.T.; Thi, T.X.T.; Nargotra, P.; Wang, H.-M.D.; Liu, Y.-C.; Kuo, C.-H. Recent Insights into Protein-Polyphenol Complexes: Molecular Mechanisms, Processing Technologies, Synergistic Bioactivities, and Food Applications. Molecules 2026, 31, 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020287

AMA Style

Huynh HD, Thi THT, Thi TXT, Nargotra P, Wang H-MD, Liu Y-C, Kuo C-H. Recent Insights into Protein-Polyphenol Complexes: Molecular Mechanisms, Processing Technologies, Synergistic Bioactivities, and Food Applications. Molecules. 2026; 31(2):287. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020287

Chicago/Turabian Style

Huynh, Hoang Duy, Thanh Huong Tran Thi, Thanh Xuan Tran Thi, Parushi Nargotra, Hui-Min David Wang, Yung-Chuan Liu, and Chia-Hung Kuo. 2026. "Recent Insights into Protein-Polyphenol Complexes: Molecular Mechanisms, Processing Technologies, Synergistic Bioactivities, and Food Applications" Molecules 31, no. 2: 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020287

APA Style

Huynh, H. D., Thi, T. H. T., Thi, T. X. T., Nargotra, P., Wang, H.-M. D., Liu, Y.-C., & Kuo, C.-H. (2026). Recent Insights into Protein-Polyphenol Complexes: Molecular Mechanisms, Processing Technologies, Synergistic Bioactivities, and Food Applications. Molecules, 31(2), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020287

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