Cited by 63Proteins in Food SystemsNanocomposite Films for Food PackagingPolysaccharides Composition and Applications

Chitin nanocrystals as natural gel modifier for yielding stronger acid-induced soy protein isolate gel

Zhang, Qin, Sun, Ping, Xu, Zejian, Qu, Wenwen, Zhang, Yan, Sui, Xiaonan·2024·Carbohydrate Polymers

Abstract

This study aimed to enhance the rheological properties and thermal stability of acid-induced soy protein isolate (SPI) gels by incorporating chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) and proposing a gelation mechanism. SPI gels exhibited pseudo-plastic behavior. Increasing ChNCs concentration from 0.00 % to 1.00 % improved G' values, recovery rate, and initial degradation temperature: from 75.6 Pa to 1024.3 Pa, 80.27 % to 85.47 %, and 261.5 °C to 275.8 °C, respectively. FTIR analysis confirmed electrostatic and hydrogen bonding interactions between SPI and ChNCs. Adding 1.00 % ChNCs reduced α-helix content from 19.7 % to 12.1 % while increasing β-sheet content from 46.5 % to 52.6 %. This led to protein unfolding, exposure of Trp residues, and orderly aggregation, forming a dense cross-linked gel network. Gel particle size increased from 185.5 nm (no ChNCs) to 504.4 nm (1.00 % ChNCs), with reduced surface charges. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions were key forces stabilizing SPI-ChNCs gels. These findings offer a practical approach to enhancing traditional acid-induced protein gel-based functional foods using naturally sourced chitin nanocrystals.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121446

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  • β-sheet has been consistently linked to stronger gel performance, whereas α-helix correlates with weaker gel properties.

    “β‐sheet has been consistently linked to stronger gel performance, whereas α‐helix correlates with weaker gel properties.”

    From Designing Protein Gels for Nutrient Delivery: From Formulation to Digestion (2026) · cites this paper as Q. Zhang, Sun, et al. 2024

  • Other research reported no significant changes in β-turn or random coil despite marked increase in apparent viscosity and storage modulus of hydrogels.

    “However, other research reported no significant changes in β‐turn or random coil despite a marked increase in the apparent viscosity and storage modulus of hydrogels (Q. Zhang, Sun, et al. 2024).”

    From Designing Protein Gels for Nutrient Delivery: From Formulation to Digestion (2026) · cites this paper as Q. Zhang, Sun, et al. 2024

  • Along with growth of β-sheet or reduction of α-helix contents in protein gels upon addition of polysaccharides, mechanical properties, rheological properties, and WHC were increased.

    “Along with the growth of β‐sheet or the reduction of α‐helix contents in protein gels upon the addition of polysaccharides, mechanical properties (e.g., gel strength), rheological properties, and WHC were increased.”

    From Designing Protein Gels for Nutrient Delivery: From Formulation to Digestion (2026) · cites this paper as Q. Zhang, Sun, et al. 2024

  • β-turn and random coil exhibit varying or weaker correlations with gel properties.

    “β‐turn and random coil exhibit varying or weaker correlations with gel properties.”

    From Designing Protein Gels for Nutrient Delivery: From Formulation to Digestion (2026) · cites this paper as Q. Zhang, Sun, et al. 2024

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Authors
Zhang, Q., Sun, P., Xu, Z., Qu, W., Zhang, Y., & Sui, X.
Affiliations
Northeast Agricultural University (CN)
Corresponding author
Sui, Xiaonan
Venue
Carbohydrate Polymers
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2024-01
Volume
323
Pages
121446
ISSN
0144-8617 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4387213829
Cited by
62
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 1
FWCI
8.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Carbohydrate Polymers (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (32325041)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China National Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project (32022068)
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China
  • Excellent Young Scientists Fund
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Proteins in Food Systems
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Polysaccharides Composition and Applications
Keywords
chitin nanocrystals, soy protein isolate, acid-induced gelation, protein gels, rheological properties, thermal stability, gelation mechanism, protein secondary structure, protein unfolding, electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, functional foods
MeSH terms
Chitin, Gels, Temperature, Soybean Proteins, Nanoparticles

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