Functionality of Plant Proteins

Book excerpt: Functionality of Food Proteins: Mechanisms, Modifications, Methods of Assessment and Applications provides researchers and users of plant-based proteins with the latest developments on their functionality at the molecular and ingredient level, and in food applications. The book discusses the biological, chemical and physical principles behind the techno-functional and nutritional properties of proteins, existing methods of functionality assessment, and protein modification for functional enhancement. With market demand for protein ingredients, several lesser known sources are being utilized to develop new protein ingredients and products, with some intended to replace, partially or wholly, traditional proteins such as egg, milk, meat, soy and vital gluten. Depending on the source and processing into ingredients, the ability of these proteins to satisfy techno-functional and nutritional requirements in the final food product may differ. Science-based knowledge is needed in the area of protein functionality for making decisions along the value chain, from production on the land to processing and formulation. - Provides fundamentals of the properties that contribute to functionality (nutritional and techno-functional properties) of proteins in food systems and their relationship to protein molecular structure - Describes fundamentals of the assessment of functional properties of protein with existing definitions and food systems - Explores fundamentals of modification strategies employed to alter nutritional and techno-functional properties to enhance value of proteins in food - Includes examples of plant protein-based products (in food systems) in which the role of nutritional and techno-functional properties is described