Proteins and polyphenols were combined in model systems, and the
resulting hazes were measured
by light scattering. The amount of haze formed depends both on the
concentrations of protein and
polyphenol and on their ratio. A conceptual model in which a
protein molecule has a fixed number
of polyphenol binding sites explains the observed behavior and has
implications for turbidimetric
methods for estimating haze-active protein and haze-active polyphenol
in beverages. The ranking
of haze-forming activity of the test polypeptides was different with
tannic acid than with catechin;
this indicates differences in binding site availability, bridging
ability, or specificity for the two
polyphenols. More haze was observed when model systems were
heated, suggesting that polyphenol
binding sites are exposed when protein hydrogen bonds are broken.
Freshly formed haze dissolved
when dimethylformamide or dioxane was added; this may be useful for
recovering compounds from
isolated hazes for analysis.
Keywords: Haze-active protein; haze-active polyphenol; beverages; model
systems; gelatin; tannic
acid
The haze-forming activity of a polypeptide depends greatly on its proline content. Haze-forming polyphenols have at least two binding groups, each of which has at least two hydroxy groups on an aromatic ring. The protein/polyphenol ratio has a strong influence on the amount of haze formed; the largest amount occurs when the numbers of polyphenol binding ends and protein binding sites are nearly equal. This has important consequences for turbidimetric methods used to measure haze-active proteins and polyphenols in beverages. The ratio also influences the effectiveness of a number of stabilization procedures.
Protein−polyphenol hazes form in beer, wine, and fruit juices and can
limit shelf life. Haze-active
protein is higher in beer than the other beverages. Haze-active
polyphenol is highest in apple juice
and red wines, variable in grape juices, and low in beer and white
wine. A systematic study of
factors that influence haze formation was carried out in a model
system. Pectin, arabinogalactan,
and poly(galacturonic acid) led to increased haze while free amino
acids and other carbohydrates
had no effect. Maximum haze occurred near pH 4 with less haze at
higher and lower pH's. As
ethanol concentration increased near pH 4, the haze at first declined,
but further increases in ethanol
led to increased haze. It appears that haze formation is similar
in all the beverages examined and
may be explained by a single mechanism. This has implications for
analysis of haze-active
constituents and beverage stabilization.
Keywords: Haze-active protein; haze-active polyphenol; pH; alcohol;
turbidity; beer; wine; fruit
juices
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