Berry-enriched protein matrices (Nutrasorb) pass sensory and stability tests as functional food ingredients
Additional sensory analysis by experts indicated that cranberry-enriched soy protein isolate could be used in functional food products like “berry-flavored smoothies, protein bars, or similar formulations”, said scientists from North Carolina State University and Rutgers.
“The nutritional analysis and sensory characteristics of the products suggest the potential for their commercial use in highly functional food products,” wrote the researchers, led by Mary Ann Lila from NC State.
Nutrasorb
Nutrasorb LLC has licensed the technology described in journal article from Rutgers University. As reported previously by us, the bioactive sorption technology works by impregnating soybean flour with antioxidant-rich berry or fruit extracts.
Rutgers University researchers published their findings in Food Chemistry (doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.09.103) that indicated that 1.4 grams of blueberry-impregnated defatted soybean flour provides the same polyphenol content as 73 grams of fresh blueberries.
Similarly, 1 gram of the cranberry-impregnated defatted soybean flour has the equivalent polyphenol content as three 8 ounce glasses of cranberry juice.
The new study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, advances these developments, and found approximately 1.0 g of polyphenol-enriched matrix could deliver the same amount of proanthocyanidins (PACs) as in one cup of commercial cranberry juice cocktail.
This dose “has been shown clinically to be the prophylactic dose for reducing recurring urinary tract infections”, said the researchers.
New data
Dr Lila and her co-workers prepared protein/polyphenol-enriched matrices using concentrate cranberry polyphenols and a range of proteins, including defatted soy flour, soy protein isolate, hemp protein isolate, medium-roast peanut flour, and pea protein isolate.
Results showed that the highest concentration of PACs was found in the cranberry-hemp matrix (20.75 mg/g), followed by cranberry-defatted soy flour (17.67 mg/g).
The cranberry-hemp and cranberry-peanut protein matrices also had the highest total polyphenolic content (37.61 and 37.12 mg/g, respectively).
“Matrices differ in affinities to cranberry polyphenols in ways that are not completely understood, but which may be a consequence of the distinctive physicochemical properties of their protein components, differences in particle size, surface area, degree of solubility in the juice, and the fact that other components of the matrices, such as carbohydrates, can also bind polyphenols,” said the researchers.
A 15-week study using the cranberry-soy protein isolate matrix showed good stabilization of the polyphenols in the complexation product.
Data also indicated that the study matrices retained their biological activity against E. coli, while the cranberry-spy protein isolate product was active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial.
According to the Nutrasorb website, currently available ingredients are made with soy, pea and whey proteins and are enhanced with phytoactives from a range of fruit, including apple, black currant, blueberry, cinnamon, cranberry, ginger, grape, green tea, pear, and pomegranate.
Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1021/jf401627m
“Stable Binding of Alternative Protein-Enriched Food Matrices with Concentrated Cranberry Bioflavonoids for Functional Food Applications”
Authors: M.H. Grace, I. Guzman, D.E. Roopchand, K. Moskal, D.M. Cheng, N. Pogrebnyak, I. Raskin, A. Howell, M.A. Lila
