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Updated: Jan 26, 2026

Crystallizing Membrane Proteins for Structure Determination using Lipidic Mesophases
Published on: November 21, 2010
Carboxymethylcellulose/pectin inhibiting structural folding of rice proteins via trinary structural interplays
Yuan Yang1, Ren Wang1, Wei Feng1
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, National Engineering Laboratory for Cereal Fermentation Technology, Jiangsu Provincial Research Centre for Bioactive Product Processing Technology, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
Abstract:
Developing food components combining materials properties from both proteins and polysaccharides is an intriguing as well as challenging task in food industry. In the present study, we report that by mixing rice proteins (RPs) with carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and pectin at pH 12 prior to neutralization, trinary complexes dispersible in water were formed. Fluorescence, ultraviolet, and circular dichroism spectra revealed that the RPs in the resultant composites remained partially unfolded as a result of interactions with both polysaccharides. Bearing exposed interiors from RPs and hydrophilic moieties from polysaccharides, the trinary composites were quite stable against aggregation as indicated by improved surface charges and weakened hydrophobicity. Additionally, by tuning the RP:polysaccharide ratios, we obtained nanoscale discs or interlinked ribbons, indicating their potential applications in emulsions or films, respectively. Based on our strategy, the trinary complexes consisting of multi-components can find applications in the futuristic design of functional ingredients in food and numerous other areas.
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