Effect of the Application of Novel Processes to Food Proteins on Structure, Physicochemical Properties and Modifications

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Physics and (Bio)Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 307

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
Interests: preparation, digestion and absorption; functional evaluation of food-derived bioactive peptides; functional protein product development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
Interests: protein development; functional protein; protein aggregation; interface regulation; thermal stability

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Guest Editor Assistant
SKL of Marine Food Processing & Safety Control, National Engineering Research Center of Seafood, School of Food Science and Technology, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China
Interests: protein modification; food hydrocolloids; functional protein product development; delivery system

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the rapid advancement of food science and technology, novel processing techniques (e.g., high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound-assisted modification, enzymatic engineering, cold plasma treatment, and microwave irradiation) have garnered increasing attention in modulating food protein systems. These techniques enable the modulation of protein molecular conformations, functional group accessibility, and supramolecular aggregation states, consequently inducing significant alterations in their physicochemical properties (e.g., solubility, emulsifying capacity, gelation behavior, and thermal stability). Furthermore, these emerging techniques provide sustainable and efficient approaches for functionalizing proteins, advancing the development of protein-based functional foods with tailored nutritional and technological attributes.

We invite researchers to contribute their original research articles or review papers. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Novel processing techniques for food proteins, including physical, chemical, and enzymatic modifications;
  • Effects of processing methods on the structure and functional properties of food proteins;
  • Innovative application development of modified food proteins in functional foods;
  • Interactions of food proteins with other molecules in processing and their impact on food quality.

Dr. Shuzhen Cheng
Prof. Dr. Chao Wu
Guest Editors

Dr. Jianyu Zhu
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • food protein
  • novel processing techniques
  • structure
  • physicochemical properties
  • modification
  • functional foods

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

17 pages, 3222 KiB  
Article
Functionalization of Sodium Caseinate for Production of Neat Films: Effects of Casein Crosslinking Induced by Heating at Alkaline pH or Light Exposure
by Paolo D’Incecco, Stefano Gerna, Marta Sindaco, Luisa Pellegrino, Alberto Barbiroli, Veronica Rosi and Sara Limbo
Foods 2025, 14(16), 2764; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14162764 - 8 Aug 2025
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Abstract
This study explored the functionalization of sodium caseinate (NaCas) using environmentally friendly approaches to improve the mechanical and structural properties of the derived films. NaCas functionalization was achieved through casein crosslinking using two approaches: (i) thermal treatment at an alkaline pH to induce [...] Read more.
This study explored the functionalization of sodium caseinate (NaCas) using environmentally friendly approaches to improve the mechanical and structural properties of the derived films. NaCas functionalization was achieved through casein crosslinking using two approaches: (i) thermal treatment at an alkaline pH to induce the formation of lysinoalanine (LAL) and (ii) riboflavin-mediated photo-oxidation to induce the formation of di-tyrosine (di-Tyr). Starting from NaCas (not functionalized, control) obtained from pasteurized milk, three functionalized NaCas samples were prepared: one sample crosslinked by LAL, and two samples crosslinked by di-Tyr formed under LED light either with or without riboflavin. The amount of crosslinking was evaluated in the acid hydrolysates through HPLC methods using either fluorescence (di-Tyr) or MS (LAL) detection. Heat treatment at pH 9 induced the formation of up to 3540 µg of LAL/g casein, whereas LED light exposure in the presence of riboflavin promoted the formation of up to 500 µg of di-Tyr/g casein. The formation of crosslinks at the intermolecular level, which resulted in protein aggregation, was detected by SDS-PAGE. Films were obtained by mixing the water solutions of the four NaCas samples with glycerol as the plasticizer and casting them. The FTIR spectra revealed that the formation of crosslinks also induced changes in the secondary structure of NaCas, which were conserved in the derived films. Mechanical testing demonstrated that di-Tyr crosslinks enhanced film ductility, while LAL crosslinks increased tensile strength and stiffness. Full article
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