Effect of Xanthan Gum, Kappa–Carrageenan, and Guar Gum on the Functional Characteristics of Egg White Liquid and Intermolecular Interaction Mechanism

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of three polysaccharides, xanthan gum (XG), kappa-carrageenan (CA), and guar gum (GG), on the foaming and emulsifying properties of egg white liquid (EWL) and explored the intermolecular interactions and aggregation states in the initial polysaccharide–EWL complex. The results showed that the addition of XG and GG significantly improved the foaming stability of EWL on the one hand, from 66% to 78% and 69%, respectively (p 2, respectively (p 2/mg, respectively, p p < 0.05), as well as the interfacial protein adsorption at the oil–water interface; it also reduced the creaming index. However, GG negatively affected these indicators. Furthermore, the electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions among molecules in EWL due to XG and the electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic interactions among molecules in EWL due to CA ultimately led to the irregular aggregation of egg white proteins. Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds between molecules in EWL–containing GG formed filamentous aggregations of egg white proteins. This work reveals that molecules in the polysaccharide–egg white complexes aggregate by interaction forces, which in turn have different effects on the foaming and emulsifying properties of egg white proteins.

Keywords

• egg white protein
• polysaccharide
• functional characteristics
• intermolecular interaction
• aggregation state