Physicochemical properties of β and α'α subunits isolated from soybean β-conglycinin

Soy protein has shown great potential for use in biobased adhesives. β-Conglycinin is a major component of soy protein; it accounts for 30% of the total storage protein in soybean seeds. β-Conglycinin was isolated and purified, and its subunits' (β, α'α) physicochemical and adhesive properties were characterized. Crude β-conglycinin was isolated from soy flour and then purified by the ammonium sulfate precipitation method. The α'α and β subunits were isolated from the purified β-conglycinin by anion exchange chromatography. Yields of α'α subunits and β subunits from 140 g of soy flour were 1.86 g (1.3%) and 0.95 g (0.67%), respectively. The minimum solubility for α'α subunits, β subunits, and β-conglycinin occurred in pH ranges of 4.1-5.4, 3.5-7.0, and 4.8-5.3, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the β subunits existed as spherical hydrophobic clusters, whereas α'α subunits existed as uniformly discrete particles at pH 5.0. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that β subunits had higher thermal stability than α'α subunits. The pH had a lesser effect on adhesion strength of the β subunits than on that of the α'α subunits. The adhesives made from β subunits also showed greater water resistance than those from α'α subunits and β-conglycinin. Soy protein rich in β subunits is likely a good candidate for developing water-resistant adhesives.