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Structural evolution of β-lactoglobulin under intensified magnetic fields
Xin Chang1, Yonggang Yue2, Zhijian Lu3
1College of Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 011500, China.
Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.)
|December 8, 2025
Summary
Incremental magnetic fields (IMF) restructure beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) by inducing conformational changes. A 10 Tesla field optimizes β-LG functionality, enhancing its properties for dairy and bioactive delivery applications.
Area of Science:
- Protein Science
- Materials Science
- Biophysics
Background:
- Beta-lactoglobulin (β-LG) is a key whey protein with significant functional properties.
- Understanding protein structural dynamics under external stimuli is crucial for food and pharmaceutical applications.
- Magnetic fields offer a novel, non-invasive method to modulate protein structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of incremental magnetic fields (IMF) on the structural and functional characteristics of β-LG.
- To identify critical magnetic field strengths that induce significant conformational changes and property enhancements.
- To explore the potential of IMF for optimizing β-LG for improved stability and delivery applications.
Main Methods:
- Multi-scale characterization techniques were employed to analyze β-LG structure.
- Incremental magnetic fields ranging from 5 to 20 Tesla were applied.
- Functional properties including emulsification and freeze-thaw stability were assessed.
Main Results:
- Four distinct conformational transition stages of β-LG were observed under IMF: contraction, folded compaction, aggregation/refolding, and unfolding/etching.
- IMF induced secondary structure ordering and promoted oxidation reactions, enhancing crystallinity.
- Optimal functional properties, including improved emulsifying activity and stability, and reduced freeze-thaw precipitation, were achieved at 10 Tesla.
Conclusions:
- Incremental magnetic fields can precisely restructure β-LG via oxidative folding-unfolding transitions.
- A magnetic field strength of 10 Tesla is identified as critical for significantly enhancing β-LG functionality.
- These findings highlight the potential of IMF for tailoring β-LG properties in dairy and bioactive delivery systems.
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