Recycling of wheat gluten wastewater: separation, characterisation, and solution rheology of arabinoxylans

Abstract

SummaryA significant volume of gluten production wastewater, containing arabinoxylan, is generated during wheat processing, presenting an underutilised resource. In this study, water‐extractable arabinoxylan (WEAX) was obtained from this wastewater through water extraction and alcohol precipitation, followed by purification, and its chemical and rheological properties were subsequently investigated. The analysis revealed a mean molecular weight of 4.57 × 104 Da for WEAX, with arabinose (38.08%) and xylose (43.77%) as the predominant monosaccharides. Notably, the sample exhibited characteristic structural properties of arabinoxylan, as confirmed by FT‐IR spectra. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed a heterogeneous solid morphology, comprising filamentous flake and spherical structures. Moreover, WEAX demonstrated favourable thermal stability and revealed shear‐thinning behaviour, as well as weak gelation, as evidenced by thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and rheological analysis. This study not only presents a novel approach for the resource treatment of wheat gluten production wastewater but also contributes new insights into the characterisation of arabinoxylan.

Recycling of wheat gluten wastewater: Recovery of arabinoxylan and application of its film in cherry and strawberry preservation

“…Our prior investigations have revealed that the extraction yield of WEAX crude extract from wheat gluten production wastewater (dry base) was determined to be 7.66%, whereas the yield of purified WEAX was diminished to 2.42%. Furthermore, the extracted pure WEAX was identified as a neutral polysaccharide possessing an average molecular weight of 4.57 × 10 4 Da, primarily consisting of xylose (43.77%), arabinose (38.08%), galactose (10.51%), and a minor proportion of glucose (5.86%) ( Geng et al, 2024 ).…”

“…Due to its biocompatibility, film-forming ability, and solubility, WEAX is a promising material for film formation. Additionally, our previous study has investigated the separation, characterization, and rheological properties of arabinoxylans from wheat gluten wastewater, and reported its antidiabetic activity based on the results of liver metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice ( Geng et al, 2024 ; Luo et al, 2023 ).…”