Aggregation-disaggregation cycling: A physical strategy for low-viscosity fish protein particles

Area of Science:

• Food Science
• Materials Science
• Biotechnology

Background:

• High-concentration protein systems often exhibit undesirable shear-thickening behavior due to intermolecular entanglement.
• Developing low-viscosity, high-concentration protein formulations is crucial for advanced applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a physical reprocessing strategy for cod proteins (CPs) to overcome shear-thickening.
• To engineer low-adhesion protein particles for improved formulation properties.

Main Methods:

• A cyclical preheating (100°C, 10 min) and ultrasonication (400 W, 10 min) strategy was employed.
• Characterization included force curve analysis and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

Main Results:

• The method reconstituted CPs into low-adhesion particles, reducing adhesion force by 62.6%.
• Modified CPs exhibited Newtonian fluid behavior at 6% w/v, with viscosity reduced to ~0.1 Pa·s.
• SAXS revealed a structural transition from loose aggregates to dense molten spheres.

Conclusions:

• The physical reprocessing approach effectively reduces protein viscosity and adhesion.
• This method offers a sustainable pathway for creating high-density protein colloids for injectable formulations and 3D food printing.