A Review of Polyphenol and Whey Protein-based Conjugates

Abstract

Proteins act as a primary food component obtained from different food sources. In contrast, polyphenols are metabolites and are abundantly present in plants, so their combination plays a crucial role in defining the functional properties of a food product. In the current review, the protein-polyphenol interactions have been briefly reviewed, along with the changes that occur because of their interaction. The mechanisms and the factors affecting the functionalities of the protein-polyphenol conjugates, e.g., the solubility, antioxidant, and gelling properties, have also been briefly reviewed. In addition, the interaction of polyphenols with whey proteins was been reviewed with various applications within the food industry, e.g., emulsifiers, foaming agents, and antioxidants. To end the review, future challenges were also highlighted.

Keywords

• protein
• polyphenols
• whey protein
• functional properties
• conjugates
• interactions