Functional properties of protein from Lesquerella fendleri seed and press cake from oil processing

This investigation determined the functional properties of protein in Lesquerella fendleri seed and press cake from oil processing. L. fendleri seeds were heat-treated at 82 °C (180 °F) during 120 min residence time in the seed conditioner, and then screw-pressed to extract the oil. Unprocessed ground, defatted lesquerella seeds and press cakes were analyzed for proximate composition and protein functional properties. Protein from unprocessed lesquerella seed showed the greatest solubility (≥60%) at pH 2 and 10 and was least soluble (25%) at pH 5.5–7. Unprocessed lesquerella protein also had high surface hydrophobicity index (So), as well as, excellent foaming capacity and stability, emulsifying properties, and water-holding capacity (WHC) at pH 7. Protein solubility profile of the press cake showed up to 50% reduction in soluble proteins at nearly all pH levels, indicating heat denaturation during cooking and screw-pressing. Foaming capacity of the press cake protein decreased slightly, but foam stability was completely lost. Press cake protein also had markedly reduced values for So, emulsifying properties and WHC, further confirming lesquerella protein’s sensitivity to heat treatment.