Innovative food processing technologies on the transglutaminase functionality in protein-based food products: Trends, opportunities and drawbacks

The crosslinking density and functional properties of protein gels can be strongly promoted by the synergistic action of mTGase and innovative processing methods. Compared to the conventional heating, HPP with further increase of mTGase affinity to proteins can result in products with better physicochemical quality and more complex and firmer gel structure. The yield, water holding capacity, surface hydrophobicity, strength, and viscoelastic characteristics of mTGase-catalyzed protein gels can be significantly increased by ultrasonication treatments. mTGase-crosslinked hydrogels subjected to high-intensity ultrasonic pretreatment have potential to be used as delivery vehicles for a wide spectrum of bioactive compounds. The application of MW and UV light can substantially improve the surface, textural and structural features of gels generated by mTGase-technology.