Effects of konjac glucomannan with different degrees of deacetylation on the properties and structure of wheat gluten protein.

The properties and structure of gluten protein with different deacetylation degrees of konjac glucomannan (KGM) were investigated, in an attempt to improve the quality of gluten protein in flour products. Results showed that deacetylated KGM (DKGM) could improve the textural properties and enhance the thermal stability of gluten protein. DKGM increased the water holding capacity and shortened the T2 relaxation time of gluten after removing some acetyl groups. As the deacetylation degree increased, the hardness and adhesiveness of gluten gels gradually increased, while the springiness decreased. In addition, the presence of DKGM promoted the conversion from free sulfhydryl to disulfide bonds and increased the β-sheet content in gluten protein. The low-deacetylation KGM decreased the surface hydrophobicity and fluorescence intensity of gluten protein, and the microstructures of gluten gels became more compact. Compared with gluten protein-KGM complex gel, the degradation temperature of gluten protein-DKGM complex gels was observed to increase by >3 °C. Overall, the low-deacetylation KGM was beneficial for improving the physicochemical properties and maintaining the network structure of gluten protein. This study provides valuable references and practical insights to improve gluten quality in the flour industry.

Zeng Z ，Guan X ，Qin X ，Chen Z ，Liu X ... -  《-》

Partial removal of acetyl groups in konjac glucomannan significantly improved the rheological properties and texture of konjac glucomannan and κ-carrageenan blends.

The main aim of the current study was to research the effect of the degree of konjac deacetylation on the rheological and textural properties of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and κ-carrageenan blends. A series of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (Da-KGM) with different degrees of deacetylation (0, 20.35%, 35.62%, 57.19%, and 74.01%) was prepared by a heterogeneous deacetylation method. The rheological and textural properties of mixed sols and gels of Da-KGM with different degrees of deacetylation and κ-carrageenan were determined. The results showed that the viscosities of mixed sols of Da-KGM and κ-carrageenan decreased with increasing degree of deacetylation. The partial removal of acetyl groups from konjac glucomannan could significantly improve the hardness and springiness of mixed gels of KGM and κ-carrageenan. Meanwhile, decreasing the acetyl content could decrease the syneresis of mixed gels. By regulating the deacetylation degree of konjac, gels with high gel strength could be prepared, which provides a new idea for the production of high-strength gelatin food.

Hu Y ，Tian J ，Zou J ，Yuan X ，Li J ，Liang H ，Zhan F ，Li B ... -  《-》

Effects of konjac glucomannan on heat-induced changes of wheat gluten structure.

Effects of konjac glucomannan on the structure of wheat gluten were investigated at variable temperatures in this study. Dynamic oscillatory rheology study showed that konjac glucomannan conferred stiffness on gluten with a higher tan δ data at 25°C and 55°C, but this parameter was lower at 75°C and 95°C. Konjac glucomannan decreased the content of thiol equivalent groups and increased the α-helix/β-sheet content ratio, respectively. The thicker layer of gluten protein with 5% konjac glucomannan was observed by scanning electron microscopy. This study revealed that konjac glucomannan could alter the conformations of gluten proteins upon heating via non-covalent interactions and physical entanglements. It is likely that konjac glucomannan promotes protein aggregation by strengthening hydrophobic interaction at 25°C and 55°C, and alleviates heat-induced denaturation by decreasing the flexibility of polypeptide chain at higher 75°C and 95°C.

Wang Y ，Chen Y ，Zhou Y ，Nirasawa S ，Tatsumi E ，Li X ，Cheng Y ... -  《-》

Synergistic effects of oxidized konjac glucomannan on rheological, thermal and structural properties of gluten protein.

Oxidation is an effective way to prepare depolymerized konjac glucomannan (KGM). The oxidized KGM (OKGM) differed from native KGM in physicochemical properties due to different molecular structure. In this study, the effects of OKGM on the properties of gluten protein were investigated and compared with native KGM (NKGM) and enzymatic hydrolysis KGM (EKGM). Results showed that the OKGM with a low molecular weight and viscosity could improve rheological properties and enhance thermal stability. Compared to native gluten protein (NGP), OKGM stabilized the protein secondary structure by increasing the contents of β-sheet and α-helix, and improved the tertiary structure through increasing the disulfide bonds. The compact holes with shrunk pore size confirmed a stronger interaction between OKGM and gluten protein through scanning electron microscopy, forming a highly networked gluten structure. Furthermore, OKGM depolymerized by the moderate ozone-microwave treatment of 40 min had a higher effect on gluten proteins than that by the 100 min treatment, demonstrating that the excessive degradation of KGM weakened the interaction between the gluten protein and OKGM. These findings demonstrated that incorporating moderately oxidized KGM into gluten protein was an effective strategy to improve the properties of gluten protein.

Chen Z ，Li Y ，Wang H ，Tian H ，Feng X ，Tan L ，Liu X ... -  《-》

Improving the gel properties of Ficus pumila Linn. pectin by incorporating deacetylated konjac glucomannan.

To improve the gelation behaviour of pectin, the effect of deacetylated konjac glucomannan (DKGM) with various deacetylation degrees (27.44 %, 44.32 %, 60.25 %, and 71.77 %) on the heat-induced gel characteristics of Ficus pumila Linn. pectin was studied. The hardness, chewiness, and adhesiveness of the gel increased as the degree of deacetylation increased from 27.44 % to 60.25 %, but decreased at 71.77 %. Additionally, DKGM addition resulted in higher apparent viscosity and non-Newtonian fluid behaviour in the composite gel. The incorporation of DKGM into the gel matrix strengthened the gel structure by promoting hydrogen bond formation and shortening relaxation time compared to the control. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the densification of the pectin gel network increased as the degree of deacetylation of konjac glucomannan rose from 27.44 % to 60.25 %, but then loosened when it exceeded 71.77 %. As the degree of deacetylation increased, the hydrophobic interaction between pectin and DKGM increased. Overall, the addition of DKGM effectively modulated the gel properties of Ficus pumila Linn. pectin, thus broadening its industrial application on different gel products.

Luo J ，Chen Z ，Li Y ，Qin X ，Wang H ，Zeng Z ，Pan Y ，Liu X ... -  《-》