Bovine β-lactoglobulin−alginic acid oligosaccharide (β-LG−ALGO)
conjugate was prepared by the
Maillard reaction to improve the function of β-LG. The molar
ratio of β-LG to ALGO in the conjugates
was 1:7. The isoelectric point of the conjugate was 4.55, which is
lower than that of β-LG.
Fluorescence studies suggested that the conformation around Trp
had changed in the conjugate
and that the surface of the conjugate was covered with saccharide
chain. Structural analyses with
monoclonal antibodies indicated that the conformation around
Val15−Ile29 (β-sheet) in the conjugate
had changed, while native structure was maintained around
Thr125−Lys135 (α-helix). By
conjugation with ALGO, β-LG was endowed with high heat stability.
The emulsifying activity and
the aggregating property of β-LG was improved in the
conjugate.
Keywords: β-Lactoglobulin; alginic acid; alginate lyase;
neoglycoconjugate; functional improvement;
acidic polysaccharide; protein conjugation; emulsification; solubility;
retinol-binding; lipocalin