FTIR characterization of protein–polysaccharide interactions in extruded blends

FTIR characterization of protein–polysaccharide interactions in extruded blends

Accepted Manuscript Title: FTIR characterization of protein-polysaccharide interactions in extruded blends Author: Pedro Guerrero Joe P. Kerry Koro de...

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Accepted Manuscript Title: FTIR characterization of protein-polysaccharide interactions in extruded blends Author: Pedro Guerrero Joe P. Kerry Koro de la Caba PII: DOI: Reference:

S0144-8617(14)00471-8 http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.05.005 CARP 8868

To appear in: Received date: Revised date: Accepted date:

10-3-2014 30-4-2014 5-5-2014

Please cite this article as: Guerrero, P., Kerry, J. P., & de la Caba, K.,FTIR characterization of protein-polysaccharide interactions in extruded blends, Carbohydrate Polymers (2014), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.05.005 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.



Highlights  •

Extruder parameters were improved by polysaccharide addition, facilitating extrusion  





FTIR analysis showed changes in the secondary structure of protein 





Conformational changes in blends explained physical properties of extrudates 

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FTIR characterization of protein-polysaccharide interactions in extruded

a

BIOMAT Research Group,

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Pedro Guerreroa, Joe P. Kerryb, Koro de la Cabaa*

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blends

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University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU),

an

Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,

b

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Polytechnic School, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain Food Packaging Group,

te

d

School of Food & Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork (UCC), Cork, Ireland

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*Corresponding author

Koro de la Caba

Escuela Universitaria Politécnica

Departamento de Ingeniería Química y del Medio Ambiente Plaza Europa 1

20018 Donostia-San Sebastián Spain E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone number: 00 34 943 017188   5 

Abstract 2

 

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Soy protein-based blends were processed by double screw extrusion and the effects of



different types and contents of polysaccharides were analyzed. Although extrusion has not



been widely used for this type of blends, in this study it was observed that the increase in



polysaccharide content in blends caused a decrease in specific mechanical energy (SME),

10 

facilitating extrusion process and showing the potential of this process, which is more cost

11 

effective at industrial scale. In order to explain this behavior, infrared spectroscopy analysis

12 

was carried out, mainly in the amide I and amide II region. Moreover, curve fitting analysis

13 

showed the conformational changes produced in the blends due to the addition of

14 

polysaccharides, which affected protein denaturation. These changes also affected properties

15 

such as moisture content (MC) and total solubility matter (TSM). However, conformational

16 

changes did not show significant effects with respect to piece density (PD) or in the

17 

expansion ratio (ER) of the pellets. The quantitative analysis of the changes in the amide I

18 

and II region provided novel information about the modifications produced in protein-based

19 

blends modified with polysaccharides. In this context, infrared spectroscopy provided a

20 

convenient and powerful means to monitor interactions between all ingredients used in the

21 

blend formulation, which is of great importance in order to explain changes in the functional

22 

properties of biodegradable materials used for industrial applications in food and

23 

pharmaceutical industries.

24 

Keywords: proteins, secondary structure, polysaccharides, interactions, FTIR.

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1. Introduction Proteins and polysaccharides are biomacromolecules employed as functional ingredients.

27 

Mixtures of both types of biomacromolecules are often used in many technological

29 

applications, including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries (Andrade-Mahecha,

30 

Tapia-Blacido, & Menegalli, 2012; Archana et al., 2014; Guerrero, Etxabide, Leceta,

31 

Peñalba, & de la Caba, 2014; Salarbashi et al., 2014). Protein-polysaccharide conjugates are

32 

useful because such ingredient conjugates have improved functional properties, such as heat

33 

and pH stability, solubility, emulsification, and gelation properties, offering lower

34 

astringency and allergenicity compared to unmodified proteins (Doublier, Garnier, Renard, &

35 

Sanchez, 2000; Klein, Aserin, Ben Ishai, & Garti, 2010; Rodríguez & Pilosof, 2011). These

36 

properties, together with the increasing demands to control biochemical interactions at the

37 

tissue/material interface, have prompted scientists to investigate these systems. Nevertheless,

38 

the knowledge underpinning protein-polysaccharide interactions is still rather limited (Alves,

39 

Costa, & Coelhoso, 2010; Wang et al., 2014). In the specific context of protein-based blends,

40 

several factors such as protein concentration, pH, ionic strength, heating temperature, and

41 

plasticizers affect the formation of the blend. It has been suggested that the blend network is

42 

formed via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. However, the

43 

structural basis of the blend-forming process is, at present, not fully understood. No attempt

44 

has been made to determine the relationship between the extent of formation of the blend

45 

network and the structure of the protein in the blend, and nothing is known about the

46 

molecular basis that leads to the formation of such blends.

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The formation of blends from soy proteins and other globular proteins has been described

47  48 

as a heat denaturation process. Heating alters the three-dimensional structure of proteins,

49 

exposing functional peptide groups such as CO and NH and side chain polar and hydrophobic 4

 

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groups that are engaged in intramolecular hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions in

51 

the native state; therefore, these functional groups become available for further

52 

intermolecular interactions (Wang & Damodaran, 1991). The unfolded protein chains

53 

approach each other and become linked through intermolecular interactions, leading to the

54 

formation of a network that acts as the matrix for entrapping blend components such as

55 

plasticizing agents. Since the formation of a blend occurs upon application of denaturating

56 

conditions, it is quite possible that the denatured protein may undergo partial refolding, thus

57 

regaining some secondary structure during the blending process (Gilbert et al., 2005). It is

58 

conceivable that the extent of such refolding affects the number of functional groups

59 

available for intermolecular interactions and thus, the formation and stability of the blend

60 

network. Blends based on globular proteins are attractive materials because of their potential

61 

applications as edible or biodegradable coatings and wrappings. This type of matrix is also

62 

relevant for pharmaceutical and medical applications since it may be employed for the

63 

encapsulation and release in vivo of bioactive substances at specific sites and for the growth

64 

of cell cultures. A clear understanding of the structure and formation of blends is required to

65 

control their properties. Besides these applications, globular protein-based blends also arouse

66 

interest in the more fundamental aspects of chemical interactions involving their use since

67 

they may be helpful in providing insights into the interactions that govern protein self-

68 

assembly and protein conformation. In this context, many efforts have been devoted to the

69 

optimization of the techno-functional properties of soy proteins, which have received

70 

increasing attention since soy protein is a co-product of the soy oil industry and which can be

71 

valorised (Félix, Martín-Alfonso, Romero, & Guerrero, 2014; Leceta, Etxabide, Cabezudo,

72 

de la Caba, & Guerrero, 2014).

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Regarding the processing of protein-based blends, the employment of extrusion is one of

73  74 

the most versatile and well-established processes used to produce macromolecular and

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polymeric materials (Galicia-García et al., 2011). Moreover, extrusion is relatively

76 

inexpensive (as the technology can be scaled to production volume and simplified for specific

77 

commercial usage) and amenable to industrial scale-up. Extrusion conditions, such as high

78 

barrel temperatures, high pressures and the use of low moisture during processing, bring

79 

about major conformational changes in the ingredient components in extrusion blends during

80 

processing. In addition, it is well-known that, among all of the different process variables that

81 

need to be considered during extrusion, the rate and amount that moisture is introduced into

82 

the extruder and the processing temperature employed at all critical points along the process

83 

have important effects on the quality of the final extruded products. It is generally accepted

84 

that proteins are denatured during the extrusion process, so these “reactive” unfolded protein

85 

chains can interact with each other, and with other added components, allowing the formation

86 

of a polymeric network. The role of covalent bonding on final product characteristics has

87 

been well documented since disulfide bonds were found to develop during this process

88 

(Fukushima & Van Buren, 1970a); however, physical interactions including hydrophobic

89 

effects and hydrogen bonding are clearly also involved (Fukushima & Van Buren, 1970a;

90 

Quinn, Monahan, O’Sullivan, & Langares, 2003), although the contribution of each type of

91 

interaction remains unclear. Most of the studies on blends have focused on a selected number

92 

of macroscopic characteristics attributable to the resulting films produced, such as stress and

93 

strain at break point, permeability to gases and vapours, and moisture absorption, among

94 

others. While the macroscopic properties of films made with globular proteins have been

95 

extensively investigated, only a limited amount of information exists with respect to their

96 

structure. Films made of soybean glycinin and wheat gliadin have been examined at a

97 

molecular level using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy (Mangavel, Barbot,

98 

Popineau, & Gueguen, 2001; Subirade, Kelly, Gueguen, & Pezolet, 1998). These studies

99 

revealed the presence of intermolecular β-sheets following heating and dehydration steps

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which underline the importance of hydrogen bonding in the formation of the protein network.

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β-sheets have been proposed to act as junction zones in the cohesion of film, and in the

102 

relationship between protein conformation and mechanical properties has been proposed

103 

(Mangavel et al., 2001). Such reports underline the role that the β-sheet motif may play in the

104 

structure and properties of globular protein films but more data are needed to evaluate the

105 

importance of this type of structure.

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Since few data are available about the molecular events occurring during blend formation

107 

employing globular proteins, the aim of this work was to describe the protein conformational

108 

changes occurring during the extrusion process. The influence of heat treatment and the role

109 

played by different types and contents of polysaccharides on final structure were also

110 

considered. In order to elucidate the molecular basis pertaining to blend formation,

111 

conformational changes in the biomacromolecules employed in this study were investigated

112 

under extrusion conditions. In this investigation, infrared spectroscopy was employed to

113 

obtain detailed information on the molecular and conformational modifications occurring

114 

during the blending formation process since it has been well established that infrared

115 

spectroscopy is a powerful method for the investigation of secondary protein structures in

116 

complex systems, such as biological or food systems (Guerrero, Garrido, Leceta, & de la

117 

Caba, 2013; Goormaghtigh, Cabiaux, & Ruysschaert, 1990; Mangavel et al., 2001).

118 

2. Materials and methods

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2.1. Materials

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Soy protein isolate (SPI), PROFAM 974, with 90% protein on a dry basis was supplied by

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Lactotecnia S.L. (Barcelona, Spain). The SPI employed in this study was comprised of 5% of

122 

moisture, 4% of fat and 5% of ash. It had an acid character and an isoelectric point of 4.6.

123 

The polysaccharides used in this study were obtained from Aldrich (Madrid, Spain), and

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included gum arabic (ARA) from acacia tree (G9752), dextran (DEX) from Leuconostoc

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mesenteroides (D5251), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) sodium salt (C4888). Glycerol

126 

(GLY) was used as the plasticizer in this study and this was obtained from Panreac

127 

(Barcelona, Spain).

128 

2.2. Extruder and experimental configurations

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A twin-screw extruder (MPF 19/25 APV Baker) was used in this study. The APV Baker

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MPF19 extruder was designed to generate the high pressures needed to extrude a wide range

131 

of products, in particular, edible/biodegradable blends. The MPF 19/25 possessed 19 mm

132 

diameter barrel, a length to barrel diameter ratio of 25:1, and a barrel comprising four

133 

controlled temperature zones, resulting in a die temperature of 70 to 100ºC.

134 

2.3. Samples preparation

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SPI, glycerol and polysaccharide contents required to obtain the desired blend composition

135 

were mixed. All components were mixed in a variable speed Stephan mixer, model UMC 5

137 

(Stephan, UK), for 5 min at 1500 rpm. SPI was replaced (3, 6 and 9 wt %) by polysaccharide

138 

to obtain SPI-polysaccharide blends, and samples were designated as ARA3, ARA6 and

139 

ARA9 in the case of gum arabic, CMC3, CMC6 and CMC9 in the case of

140 

carboxymethylcellulose, and DEX3, DEX6 and DEX9 for dextran. Glycerol was selected at

141 

30 % (w/w), based on results obtained from previous work (Guerrero, Nur Hanani, Kerry, &

142 

de la Caba, 2011). The sample without polysaccharides was designated as the control.

143 

Mixtures were added into the feed hopper and mixed with water in the barrel of the twin-

144 

screw extruder. All trials were carried out using a water speed of 2.94 g/min (0.15 kg/h).

145 

Water was pumped directly into the extruder barrel zone 1 using a peristaltic pump (504U

146 

MK, Watson Marlow Ltd.).

147 

2.4. Specific mechanical energy (SME)

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The specific mechanical energy was calculated using the expression (Hu, Hsieh, & Huff,

148  149 

1993): Screw speed × Power (kW) × Torque (%) Max. screw speed × Throughput (kg/h) × 100

SME (kJ/kg)=

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The extruder was operated at a constant speed of 250 rpm. The feed rate of extruder was

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adjusted to 1 kg/h and had a 2 kW/h motor power in practice. Dies were scaled up by

153 

maintaining a constant throughput per unit of orifice area. The extruder was equipped with a

154 

single die of 3 mm diameter giving a throughput per unit area of 0.141 kg/h mm2.

155 

2.5. Piece density (PD)

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Piece density is the density of each extrudate and was obtained by dividing the mass of

156 

extrudate piece (Wpiece) by its volume (Vpiece), which was computed from its dimensions

158 

(diameter, d; and length, l). The piece dimensions of ten, 2 cm-long, pieces were measured by

159 

using a hand-held digimatic micrometer (QuantuMike Mitutoyo), and piece density was

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calculated as:

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PD =

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2.6. Expansion ratio (ER)

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The expansion ratio is the ratio of the extrudate cross-sectional area to the die orifice cross-

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Wpiece

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sectional area, and was calculated as: ER =

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d2 2 d die

166 

where ddie is the die diameter and d is the extrudate diameter (average of 10 samples), which

167 

was measured by using a hand-held digimatic micrometer (QuantuMike Mitutoyo).

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2.7. Moisture content (MC) and total soluble matter (TSM)

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Three specimens of each sample were analyzed to determine moisture content and total

170 

soluble matter values according to a method previously used in several studies of proteins

171 

(Gontard & Guilbert, 1992; Kunte, Gennadios, Cuppett, Hanna, & Weller, 1997). Samples

172 

were weighed (mw) and subsequently dried in an air-circulating oven at 105 ºC for 24 h. After

173 

this time, samples were reweighed (m0) to determine MC values. Samples were dried as an

174 

extrudate and MC values were calculated as:

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m w -m 0 ×100 mw

MC ( % ) =

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Afterwards, samples were immersed in 30 mL of distilled water in the presence of sodium

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azide (0.02%) in order to prevent microbial growth. The beakers were stored in an

178 

environmental chamber at 25 ºC for 24 h with occasional gentle stirring. After this time,

179 

specimens were dried in an air-circulating oven at 105 ºC for 24 h and weighed (mf). TSM

180 

was expressed as the percentage of sample dry matter dissolved after 24 h immersion in

181 

distilled water and determined by the following equation:

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m 0 -m f ×100 m0

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2.8. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) The IR spectra for blends were obtained using a Varian 600-IR Series FTIR equipped with

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horizontal attenuated total reflectance (ATR) crystal (ZnSe). The spectra were collected in

186 

absorbance mode on sample powders obtained by grinding pellets in an agate mortar and

187 

placed directly onto the ATR crystal. Each spectrum is the result of the average of 32 scans at

188 

4 cm−1 resolution. Measurements were recorded between 4000 and 700 cm−1. All spectra

189 

were smoothed using the Savitzky-Golay function. Second-derivative spectra of the amide

190 

region were used at peak position guides for the curve fitting procedure, using OriginPro 8.6

191 

software.

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2.9. Statistical analysis Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variant (ANOVA) by means of a SPSS

193 

computer program (SPSS Statistic 20.0). Post hoc multiple comparisons were determined by

195 

the Tukey’s test with the level of significance set at P < 0.001.

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3. Results and discussion

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Extrusion is generally defined as a process used to mix, homogenize, and shape material by

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forcing it through a specifically designed opening. Extrusion process variables are critical

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factors to be considered as they impact significantly upon ingredient blends, especially those

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employing proteins, which ultimately impact on final film properties. Thermal extrusion

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exposes proteinaceous ingredients to high temperature, high pressure, and mechanical shear,

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which converts an ingredient like soy protein into a continuous plastic “melt”, resulting in

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protein denaturation (Harper, 1989). Within the process, the main fractions of SPI (7S and

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11S globulins) undergo a complex pattern of association-dissociation reactions (Cheftel, Cuq,

205 

& Lorient, 1985). The effect of extrusion is to disassemble proteins and then reassemble them

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using disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, and non-covalent interactions forming fibrous

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extrudates. Therefore, extruded blends of various ingredients provide an excellent model

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system to study the effects of extrusion parameters on protein structure and to monitor

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protein-carbohydrate interactions, where carbohydrate ingredients have been added.

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3.1. Effect of polysaccharides on extruder parameters and physical properties

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Firstly, the effect of polysaccharide content on SME values was analyzed and results are

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shown in Table 1. The SME value indicates the extent of molecular breakdown that

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mechanical force undergoes during the extrusion process, so this value is an important

214 

parameter since it can influence final product characteristics (Godavarti & Karwe, 1997).

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Since SME is the amount of mechanical energy dissipated as heat inside the material, 11

 

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expressed per unit mass of the material (Harper, 1989), increasing polysaccharide content in

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this study resulted in higher heat transfer from the extruder barrel to the feed material and

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consequently, a lower viscosity, lower shear, and lower friction during extrusion. The higher

219 

the polysaccharide content (6-9 %), the lower the torque and SME (P < 0.001) observed.

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Because of the reduction of the force required to push the mass through the die, a

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consequential reduction in friction occurred between the raw processing materials, screw

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shaft, and extruder barrel (Chen, Wei, & Ojokoh, 2010).

PD (g/cm3)

ER

MC (%)

TSM (%)

Control

972±20.13a

1.63±0.14a

1.12±0.14a

17.36±0.05a

31.49±0.06a

ARA3

972±29.16a

1.62±0.12a

1.13±0.07a

18.88±0.07a

31.42±0.03a

ARA6

648±15.21b

1.60±0.26a

1.14±0.16a

14.65±0.26bc

36.51±0.56b

ARA9

612±10.91c

1.59±0.34a

1.15±0.16a

13.79±0.21b

38.65±0.23b

CMC3

972±31.51a

1.63±0.19a

1.12±0.12a

18.36±0.51a

30.55±0.21a

CMC6

648±20.11b

1.65±0.12a

1.05±0.04b

15.49±0.29b

30.27±0.09a

CMC9

648±22.31b

1.66±0.06a

1.03±0.09b

15.13±0.49b

30.38±0.61a

DEX3

1044±45.51e 1.64±0.17a

1.10±0.16ab

18.70±0.51a

31.01±0.07a

DEX6

900±32.53d

1.63±0.16a

1.12±0.23a

14.53±0.32bc

32.35±0.47ab

DEX9

900±35.91d

1.61±0.24a

1.13±0.32a

12.75±0.41c

33.87±0.53b

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SME (kJ/kg)

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Table 1. Effect of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran (DEX)

224 

content on specific mechanical energy (SME), piece density (PD), expansion ratio (ER),

225 

moisture content (MC) and total soluble matter (TSM).

226 

a-e

227 

different through the Tukey´s multiple range test.

Two means followed by the same letter in the same column are not significantly (P > 0.001)

228 

During the extrusion process, protein denaturation takes place, as has been described

229 

previously (Guerrero, Beatty, Kerry, & de la Caba, 2012), which leads to the decrease of 12

 

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electrostatic repulsions and allows intermolecular interactions and network formation to

231 

occur (Song, Tang, Wang, & Wang, 2011). The nature of these interactions and the structure

232 

of the network formed may affect the macroscopic properties of the blends. The reduction in

233 

conformational freedom would explain the reason for the decrease (P < 0.001) in moisture

234 

absorption shown in lower MC values, when polysaccharides were added (Table 1).

235 

Conversely, TSM values increased (P < 0.001) when the polysaccharide content in blends

236 

increased, probably due to the reduction of protein-protein interactions in the presence of

237 

polysaccharides and due to the formation of a less tight polymeric network. These facts were

238 

confirmed by FTIR analysis, as shown below.

239 

3.2. Effect of polysaccharides on protein structure

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Firstly, the band corresponding to amide I depends on the secondary structure of the protein

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backbone and it is the most commonly used band for the quantitative analysis of secondary

242 

structures. Secondly, the band associated with amide II is caused mainly by C-N stretching

243 

and N-H in plane bending. Therefore, alterations of these bands might clarify to what extent

244 

polysaccharide addition to ingredient blends might assist in the stabilization of added protein,

245 

since the progressive exposure of the proteins to polysaccharides may govern the structural

246 

changes that ultimately take place during the extrusion process. In order to analyze this

247 

influence, the FTIR spectra for the blends in this target IR region are shown in Figure 1.

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248  249  250  251  252  253  254 

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0.4

ARA ARA9 ARA6 ARA3 Control

255  0.3 Absorbance

256  257  258 

0.2

0.1

0.0

260 

1750

1700

1650

1600

1550

1500

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259  1450

-1

Wavenumber (cm )

0.4

Absorbance

263  264  265 

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0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0 1750

267 

1700

1650

1600

1550 -1

Wavenumber (cm )

0.4

0.2

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Absobance

271 

d

0.3

270 

0.1

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0.0 1750

273 

1450

DEX DEX9 DEX6 DEX3 Control

268  269 

1500

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266 

cr

262 

CMC CMC9 CMC6 CMC3 Control

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261 

1700

1650

1600

1550

1500

1450

-1

Wavenumber (cm )

274 

Figure 1. Effect of polysaccharide content on FTIR spectra in the amide I and II region for

275 

soy protein blends with gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran

276 

(DEX).

When polysaccharides were added, the frequencies of the bands assigned to the amide I and

277  278 

amide II regions remained constant at 1628 cm-1 and 1541 cm-1, respectively. However, the

279 

band assigned to carboxylate in the polysaccharides at 1587 cm-1 for CMC, 1600 cm-1 for

280 

ARA, and 1643 cm-1 for DEX was not detectable in the blends with SPI, indicating

281 

interactions between the protein and the polysaccharides and highlights the lower capacity of 14

 

Page 14 of 29

the carbohydrate molecules to form intermolecular hydrogen bonds between themselves in

283 

presence of the protein (Carpenter & Crowe, 1989). Additionally, the dominant spectral

284 

change observed was the decrease in the intensity observed for the amide I and amide II

285 

bands, thereby indicating conformational changes occurring through interactions between

286 

protein and the polysaccharides. These changes were quantitatively measured and results are

287 

shown in Table 2.

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1628 cm-1

1541 cm-1

2930 cm-1

1628/2930 cm-1

1541/2930 cm-1

Control

14.624

7.649

0.168

87.048

45.530

ARA3

13.151

6.736

0.151

87.093

44.609

ARA6

12.456

5.525

0.149

83.597

37.081

ARA9

12.023

5.087

0.156

77.071

32.609

CMC3

13.666

6.896

0.157

87.045

43.924

CMC6

11.735

5.636

0.139

84.424

40.547

CMC9

10.681

4.888

0.136

78.537

35.941

DEX3

13.404

6.853

0.154

87.039

44.500

DEX6

12.579

6.143

0.152

82.757

40.414

5.830

0.161

74.155

36.211

an

M

d

te

11.939

Ac ce p

DEX9

us

Amide area

288 

Table 2. FTIR absorption area values for amide I (1628 cm-1), amide II (1541 cm-1), and

289 

reference (2930 cm-1) bands as they pertain to soy protein blends with different gum arabic

290 

(ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran (DEX) contents. The relationship of amide I and amide II to total carbohydrate was estimated from the ratio

291  292 

of the absorbances at 1628 cm-1 and 1541 cm-1 to 2930 cm-1. The well-defined band at 2930

293 

cm-1 due to C-H content represents a good reference for total carbohydrate content, because

294 

the number of C-H groups remains constant, irrespective of changes in the ratio of

295 

polysaccharides and protein contents (Rochas, Lahaye, & Yaphe, 1986). As can be seen in

296 

Table 2, the area of the normalized bands, corresponding to amide I and amide II, decreased

15

 

Page 15 of 29

when the content of the polysaccharide increased. This change was lower for those blends

298 

containing ARA and higher for the blends containing DEX. The results indicate that

299 

carbohydrates caused changes in the infrared spectrum of soy protein, decreasing amide I and

300 

II band area and eliminating the carboxylate band, which would be indicative of the degree of

301 

hydrogen bonding occurring between proteins and carbohydrates which are necessary to

302 

provide stability to the extruded blends.

303 

3.2.1. FTIR in amide I region

us

cr

ip t

297 

In addition to the analysis carried out above and since the band corresponding to amide I

304 

depends on the secondary structure of the protein backbone, it can also be used for the

306 

quantitative analysis of different secondary structures. Specifically, protein unfolding is

307 

characterized by changes in the intensity of the dominant band in the native protein at 1650

308 

cm-1 (assigned to α-helix/unordered structures) and in the regions around 1615 to 1630 cm-1

309 

and 1680 to 1700 cm-1 (assigned to β-sheets) (Hu, Lu, Sun, Cebe, Wang, Zhang, & Kaplan,

310 

2010; Lefevre & Subirade, 2000), as shown in Figure 2.

te

d

M

an

305 

0.4 Control

Ac ce p

311 

0.4 ARA9

0.3

Absorbance (a. u.)

313  314  315 

0.2

0.1

0.0

316 

Absorbance (a. u.)

0.3

312 

1720

1700

1680

1660

1640

1620

1600

0.2

0.1

0.0

1580

1720

1700

-1

1600

1580

1620

1600

1580

0.3

Absorbance (a. u.)

Absorbance (a. u.)

320 

1620

DEX9

0.3

319 

1640

0.4

CMC9

318 

1660

Wavenumber (cm )

0.4

317 

1680

-1

Wavenumber (cm )

0.2

0.1

0.2

0.1

321  0.0

0.0 1720

1700

1680

1660

1640

1620 -1

Wavenumber (cm )

1600

1580

1720

1700

1680

1660

1640 -1

Wavenumber (cm )

16

 

Page 16 of 29

322 

Figure 2. Original spectrum (black) and curve fitting spectra of amide I for soy protein

323 

(control) and soy protein blends containing 9% gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

324 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

ip t

Therefore, it appears wiser to consider the individual components determined by curve

325 

fitting than a mixture of many subcomponents with slightly different frequencies. This

327 

quantitative analysis is shown in Table 3.

1680 cm-1

36.31

53.68

10.01

ARA3

35.77

55.02

9.21

ARA6

35.55

55.34

9.11

ARA9

35.31

55.28

9.40

CMC3

37.48

53.05

9.47

CMC6

38.67

52.10

CMC9

41.41

49.45

9.14

DEX3

35.07

54.88

10.05

DEX6

32.88

56.66

10.46

58.59

10.27

31.14

M

d

Ac ce p

DEX9

an

Control

us

1650 cm-1

te

Area Amide I 1624 cm-1

cr

326 

9.23

328 

Table 3. Resulting percentage of the curve fitting of amide I for soy protein (control) and soy

329 

protein blends with different contents of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)

330 

or dextran (DEX).

331 

The area of the bands at 1624 cm-1, 1650 cm-1, and 1680 cm-1 increased, were maintained

332 

or decreased depending on the polysaccharide-type employed, thus differences in the spectra

333 

of the blends indicated that the use of different polysaccharides resulted in the production of

334 

different molecular conformations. It is worth noting that in all of the blends studied, the

335 

broad band produced at 1650 cm-1 reflected the presence of residual regular structures. At this

336 

position, α-helices and unordered structures are most likely to predominate in blends.

17

 

Page 17 of 29

Regarding the bands observed at 1624 cm-1 and 1680 cm-1, upon increasing CMC, these two

338 

bands increased due to the formation of intermolecular antiparallel β-sheets (Lefevre,

339 

Subirade, & Pezolet, 2005). Extended antiparallel β-sheets are commonly found in

340 

aggregated proteins, especially in heat-denatured proteins (Susi, Timasheff, & Stevens,

341 

1967). These results lead to the view that aggregation occurred and that the aggregates are

342 

partly composed of β-sheets. This observation represents a progressive conversion of residual

343 

regular structures and unordered segments into intermolecular β-sheets. The β-sheet structure

344 

has a higher degree of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and explains the important role of

345 

water molecules during the unfolding-folding process (Quinn et al., 2003). Conversely, when

346 

DEX was added to blends, the bands at 1624 cm-1 and 1680 cm-1 decreased, and the band at

347 

1650 cm-1 increased, thus DEX did not represent a progressive conversion of residual regular

348 

structures and unordered segments into intermolecular β-sheets. Finally, in the case of ARA,

349 

the area of the three bands remained practically constant.

d

M

an

us

cr

ip t

337 

The area of aggregation bands at 1680 cm-1 and 1624 cm-1 for the control indicated that

351 

46% of the amide I band is due to intermolecular β-sheets. This behavior was maintained

352 

with the addition of ARA; however, the addition of DEX decreased intermolecular β-sheets

353 

from 46% to 41%, and intermolecular β-sheets increased from 46% to 51% when CMC was

354 

added. Therefore, it can be estimated that between 41 to 51% of the amino acids present in

355 

blends are engaged in β-sheets, whereas 59 to 49% of amino acids are present in α-helix,

356 

random coil segment and turn structures. However, the polysaccharides used in this study did

357 

not lead to dramatic spectral differences in the blends. This might explain why there was no

358 

significant difference observed in some product characteristics such as density and expansion

359 

ratio (Table 1). Protein can be resistant to conformational changes during mixing and may

360 

retain its native conformation, but in the extrusion process, the protein may unfold and

361 

consequently, not regain its native conformation, resulting in conformational changes and

Ac ce p

te

350 

18

 

Page 18 of 29

362 

denaturation. Regaining protein structure is dependent on the polysaccharide content and type

363 

used.

364 

3.2.2. FTIR in amide II region

ip t

In relation to the band corresponding to amide II shown in Figure 3, the band at 1517 cm-1

365 

was attributed to the vibrational modes of Tyrosine (Tyr) side chains (Hu, Kaplan, & Cebe,

367 

2008). 0.30

0.30

ARA9

Control

us

368 

cr

366 

369  Absorbance (a. u.)

0.20

0.10 1600

373 

1580

1560

1540

1520

1500

-1

Wavenumber (cm )

0.30

374 

377 

1480

0.10 1600

379 

1540

1520

1500

1480

1500

1480

-1

Wavenumber (cm )

d te

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10 1600

1560

DEX9

0.25

378 

1580

0.30

Ac ce p

376 

0.15

CMC9

Absorbance (a. u.)

375 

0.20

M

0.15

372 

1580

1560

1540

1520 -1

Wavenumber (cm )

1500

Absorbance (a. u.)

371 

Absorbance (a. u.)

370 

an

0.25

0.25

1480

0.20

0.15

0.10 1600

1580

1560

1540

1520 -1

Wavenumber (cm )

380 

Figure 3. Original spectrum (black) and curve fitting spectra of amide II for soy protein

381 

(control) and soy protein blends containing 9% gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

382 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

383 

The Tyr amino acids in SPI contribute at the interfaces of the β-sheet regions and act as

384 

turns, so this band provided a specific local monitor for protein conformational changes due

385 

to reduction of the conformational freedom in the protein structure (Murayama & Tomida,

386 

2004; Reinstadler, Fabian, & Naumann, 1999), as shown quantitatively in Table 4. 19

 

Page 19 of 29

1517 cm-1

1544 cm-1

Control

26.49

73.51

ARA3

27.99

72.01

ARA6

27.85

72.15

ARA9

26.12

73.88

CMC3

24.72

75.28

CMC6

23.58

76.42

CMC9

22.15

77.85

DEX3

25.44

74.56

DEX6

23.78

76.22

DEX9

20.56

79.44

an

us

cr

ip t

Area Amide II

Table 4. Resulting percentage of the curve fitting of amide II for soy protein (control) and

388 

soy protein blends with different contents of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

389 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

390 

4. Conclusions

te

d

M

387 

Soy protein-based blends were processed by twin-screw extrusion. During trials, a decrease

Ac ce p

391  392 

in extrusion torque and specific mechanic energy was achieved through the addition of

393 

polysaccharides to blends, indicating that a polysaccharide content of 6-9% in blends was

394 

enough to decrease friction and facilitate macromolecules pass through the extruder die.

395 

These improvements were the result of interactions between the extruder-induced

396 

denaturation of soy protein and polysaccharides, which was analyzed by infrared

397 

spectroscopy. The analysis of FTIR spectra in the band regions for amide I and II provided

398 

novel information about conformational changes in the protein following extrusion. Although

399 

the band frequency was maintained in a constant manner with respect to polysaccharide type

400 

and content, further analysis of each band, which can be deconvoluted into bands

401 

corresponding to the different secondary structures of the protein such as α-helix and β20

 

Page 20 of 29

sheets, showed that changes could be related to the decrease in SME values and to the

403 

changes of some physical properties like MC and TSM. This study clearly highlights the

404 

usefulness of employing FTIR as an analytical tool to assess conformational changes in the

405 

structure of proteins and interactions that have taken place between biopolymers used in

406 

blends following extrusion.

ip t

402 

In summary, two features are the most relevant findings achieved in this work. Firstly, the

cr

407 

utility of polysaccharide addition to facilitate the extrusion process, which is not the most

409 

widely used method to produce this type of blends nowadays, although it is the most cost

410 

effective process at industrial scale. Secondly, the value of using FTIR to analyze

411 

conformational changes in globular proteins, providing novel information to understand the

412 

relationship between protein structure and final properties of soy protein-based products.

413 

Acknowledgments

M

an

us

408 

The authors thank the University of the Basque Country (research group GIU12/06) as well

d

414 

as the Basque Government (projects S-PE12UN002 and S-PE13UN057) for their financial

416 

support.

417 

References

418 

Archana, G., Sabina, K., Babuskin, S., Radhakrishnan, K., Fayidh, M.A., Azhagu Saravana

419 

Babu, P., Sivarajan, M., & Sukumar, M. (2013). Preparation and characterization of mucilage

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Alves, V.D., Costa, N., & Coelhoso, I.M. (2010). Barrier properties of biodegradable

422 

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Polymers, 79, 269-276.

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Chen, F.L., Wei, Y.M., & Ojokoh, A.O. (2010). System parameters and product properties

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Doublier, J.L., Garnier, C., Renard, D., & Sanchez, C. (2000). Protein-polysaccharide

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508 

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Subirade, M., Kelly, I., Gueguen, J., & Pezolet, M. (1998). Molecular basis of film formation

512 

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513 

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514 

Susi, H., Timasheff, S.N., & Stevens, L. (1967). Infrared spectra and protein conformations

515 

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516 

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517 

Wang, L., Xiao, M., Dai, S., Song, J., Ni, X., Fang, Y., Corke, H., & Jiang, F. (2014).

518 

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520 

Wang, C.H., & Damodaran, S. J. (1991). Thermal gelation of globular proteins. Journal of

521 

Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 39, 433-438.

te

d

M

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cr

ip t

509 

Ac ce p

522 

26

 

Page 26 of 29

522 

Figure captions

524 

Figure 1. Effect of polysaccharide content on FTIR spectra in the amide I and II region for

525 

soy protein blends with gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran

526 

(DEX).

527 

Figure 2. Original spectrum (black) and curve fitting spectra of amide I for soy protein

528 

(control) and soy protein blends containing 9% gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

529 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

530 

Figure 3. Original spectrum (black) and curve fitting spectra of amide II for soy protein

531 

(control) and soy protein blends containing 9% gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

532 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

533 

Table captions

534 

Table 1. Effect of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran (DEX)

535 

content on specific mechanical energy (SME), piece density (PD), expansion ratio (ER),

536 

moisture content (MC) and total soluble matter (TSM).

537 

a-e

538 

different through the Tukey´s multiple range test.

539 

Table 2. FTIR absorption area values for amide I (1628 cm-1), amide II (1541 cm-1), and

540 

reference (2930 cm-1) bands as they pertain to soy protein blends with different gum arabic

541 

(ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), and dextran (DEX) contents.

542 

Table 3. Resulting percentage of the curve fitting of amide I for soy protein (control) and soy

543 

protein blends with different contents of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)

544 

or dextran (DEX).

Ac ce p

te

d

M

an

us

cr

ip t

523 

Two means followed by the same letter in the same column are not significantly (P > 0.001)

27

 

Page 27 of 29

Table 4. Resulting percentage of the curve fitting of amide II for soy protein (control) and

546 

soy protein blends with different contents of gum arabic (ARA), carboxymethylcellulose

547 

(CMC) or dextran (DEX).

Ac ce p

te

d

M

an

us

cr

ip t

545 

28

 

Page 28 of 29

Page 29 of 29

ed

pt

ce

Ac M

an

us

cr