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Extraction, Enzymatic Modification, and Anti-Cancer Potential of an Alternative Plant-Based Protein from Wolffia
Warin Siriwat1, Sunisa Ungwiwatkul2, Kridsada Unban1
1Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 28, 2023
Summary
This study explores extracting protein from Wolffia globosa using ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) and enzymatic hydrolysis. The optimized UAE method significantly increased protein yield, yielding functional protein hydrolysates with anti-cancer properties.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Biotechnology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Growing global demand for plant-based proteins necessitates novel sources.
- Wolffia globosa presents an underutilized aquatic plant with high protein content.
- Functional modification of plant proteins is crucial for diverse applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) for Wolffia globosa protein.
- To investigate enzymatic hydrolysis for creating functional protein ingredients.
- To evaluate the functional and potential anti-cancer properties of the derived protein hydrolysates.
Main Methods:
- Optimized ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) parameters: 30 mL/g liquid-to-solid ratio, 25 min, 78% amplitude.
- Enzymatic hydrolysis using Protamex and Alcalase to achieve varying degrees of hydrolysis (DH).
- Analysis of protein yield, amino acid profile, molecular weight distribution, secondary structure, functional properties (solubility, emulsification, foaming), and anti-cancer activity.
Main Results:
- Optimized UAE yielded 2.17-fold higher protein extraction than alkaline extraction.
- Extracted protein was rich in essential amino acids (leucine, valine, phenylalanine).
- Enzymatic hydrolysis altered protein structure (β-sheets/random coils to α-helix/β-turn), enhanced solubility and emulsifying activity, and modified foaming properties.
- Partial hydrolysis (DH3%) improved foaming; excessive hydrolysis reduced emulsifying stability and oil-binding capacity.
- Protein hydrolysates demonstrated potential anti-cancer activity against human ovarian cancer cell lines.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonic-assisted extraction is an effective method for high-yield protein extraction from Wolffia globosa.
- Enzymatic hydrolysis produces functional protein hydrolysates with tunable properties.
- Wolffia globosa protein hydrolysates show promise as functional food ingredients and possess anti-cancer potential.
