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Optimizing plant-based meat alternatives: Effects of soy protein incorporation methods and freeze-thaw processing on
Weihua Du1, Yongqi Yin1, Xinxin Zhao1
1School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, No. 196 Huayang West Road, Hanjiang District, Yangzhou 225127, China.
Abstract:
This study evaluated three soy protein isolate (SPI) incorporation methods-dry blending (DB), hydration (HD), and emulsification (EM)-combined with freeze-thaw (F) or normal temperature (N) treatment for plant-based meat alternatives (PB-MAs). Emulsification with normal temperature (EMN) achieved optimal performance: cooking loss reduced to 3.93 % (vs. 5.86 % in DBN), centrifugal loss decreased to 0.87 % (vs. 1.57 % in DBN), and springiness increased by 87.04 %. Microstructural analysis revealed EMN formed dense, porous networks through stable SPI-water-oil interactions, creating physical barriers that enhanced water/oil retention. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) confirmed higher α-helix content (16.49 %), indicating protein stability. Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance demonstrated effective water immobilization (T22 area: 0.21). Freeze-thaw showed context-dependent effects: improving texture in DB/HD groups through protein reorganization but disrupting EM systems via emulsion destabilization. These findings demonstrate emulsification optimizes protein-water-oil interactions for superior PB-MA quality, while freeze-thaw efficacy depends on initial protein network stability, providing quantitative guidance for sustainable meat alternative development.
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