Antigenicity and conformational changes of β-lactoglobulin by dynamic high pressure microfluidization combining with glycation treatment

The combined effect of previous dynamic high-pressure microfluidization treatment (40, 80, 120, and 160 MPa) and subsequent glycation with galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) on the antigenicity of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) was investigated. The antigenicity of β-LG-GOS decreased at relatively low pressure (≤120 MPa). Surface sulfhydryl group content of β-LG-GOS increased and surface hydrophobicity of β-LG-GOS decreased. Additionally, protein unfolding in β-LG-GOS samples was reflected by quenching of fluorescence intensity, the red-shift of fluorescence spectra, decreased UV absorption, and circular dichroism analysis, indicating tertiary and secondary structural changes of β-LG. The conformational changes may contribute to the alteration of antigenicity.