Effects of nonprotein substances on protein hydrolysis and plastein formation

Abstract

Effects of various naturally occurring nonprotein substances (carbohydrates, polysaccharides, fats and salts) on enzymatic hydrolysis of soy protein isolate and plastein formation from hydrolyzed soy protein were investigated. Relative extent of hydrolysis and plastein formation were measured as protein solubility in 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) since this method was found suitable for analysis of turbid, viscous and/or low protein samples. The presence of guar, xanthan, locust bean and arabic gums, arabinogalactan, unsaturated fatty acids (2%), salt mixture and xylan were found to enhance soy protein peptic hydrolysis at 0·5% enzyme/substrate; unsaturated fatty acids (1%) inhibited hydrolysis. At enzyme/substrate of 3·5%, hydrolysis was enhanced by xanthan gum, unsaturated fatty acids and sodium chloride but inhibited by gum karaya, salt mixture, starch, cellulose, and saturated fatty acids. Plastein synthesis was inhibited by xanthan, locust bean and guar gums but stimulated by arabinogalactan. Several nonprotein substances were found to interfere with the TCA solubility assay. Positive interference was noted for systems containing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and magnesium, but negative interference was observed for systems containing guar gum, xanthan gum, calcium chloride and gum arabic.