Ultrasound-Assisted Transglutaminase Catalysis of the Cross-Linking and Microstructure of α_s-Casein, β-Casein and κ-Casein

• Main Authors: Chun-Chi Chen, Liang-Yu Chen, Wen-Tai Li, Ken-Lin Chang, Hsien-Wei Tseng, Bang-Yuan Chen, Chao-Jung Chen, Jung-Feng Hsieh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-09-01
• Series: Processes
• Subjects: α_s-casein; β-casein; κ-casein; ultrasound; transglutaminase; polymerization
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/9/9/1630

The effects of ultrasonic treatment (UT)-assisted transglutaminase (TGase) catalysis on the physicochemical properties of individual α_s-casein (α_s-CN), β-casein (β-CN), and κ-casein (κ-CN) were investigated. After 60 min of incubation at 30 °C, α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN were cross-linked with TGase (6.0 units/mL), and high molecular weight polymers (>200 kDa) were formed. The use of TGase in conjunction with UT (20 kHz, power of 400 W, and amplitude 20%) led to an increase in the rate of α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN polymerization compared to the individual casein that contained TGase but did not undergo UT. SDS-PAGE scrutiny showed that the intensities of α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN incubation with regard to TGase and UT at 30 °C for 60 min noticeably decreased to 5.66 ± 0.39, 3.97 ± 0.43, and 26.07 ± 1.18%, respectively (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Particle size analysis results indicated that the molecule size appropriation for the cross-linking of α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN ranged from 6000 to 10,000 nm after 60 min incubation with TGase and UT. Transmission electron microscopy investigation showed network structures of cross-linking α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN were formed from α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN, respectively. As our results show, the comprehensive utilization of TGase and UT will be a superior method for the polymerization of α_s-CN, β-CN, and κ-CN.