Thermodynamic incompatibility between denatured whey protein and konjac glucomannan

The current study investigated the effect of a neutral polysaccharide, konjac glucomannan, on the heat-induced gelation of whey protein isolate (WPI) at pH 7. Oscillatory rheology (1 rad/s; 0.5% strain), differential scanning calorimetry and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to investigate the effect of addition of konjac in the range 0–0.5% w/w, on the thermal gelation properties of WPI. The minimum gelling concentration for WPI samples was 11% w/w; the concentration was therefore held constant at this value. Gelation of WPI was induced by heating the samples from 20 to 80 °C, holding at 80 °C for 30 min, cooling to 20 °C, and holding at 20 °C for a further 30 min. On incorporation of increasing concentrations of konjac the gelation time decreased, while the storage modulus (G′) of the mixed gel systems increased to ∼1450 Pa for 11% w/w WPI containing 0.5% w/w konjac gels, compared to 15 Pa for 11% w/w WPI gels (no konjac). This increase in gel strength was attributed to segregative interactions between denatured whey proteins and konjac glucomannan.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Denatured whey protein and konjac glucomannan are thermodynamically incompatible. ► Konjac does not intrinsically modify the denaturation process. ► The subsequent aggregation reaction is reduced. ► Phase separation in gelled systems enhances gel strength. ► At high konjac concentrations disruption of the gel structure was observed.