Non-Thermal Gelation and Non-Themal Ultrasound Contact Drying of Plant Protein Intended for the Encapsulation of Nutraceuticals

Increasing consumer demand for high quality, clean label, protein-rich products highlight the need for the development of innovative approaches to food processing. Novel, plant protein products are currently of high interest due to consumers’ preference over the use of animal proteins, but the functionality and heat sensitivity of plant proteins remains a challenge. Non-thermal gelation and drying offer an alternative approach to enhancing the functionality and processing of plant-based products. Ultrasound (US) has become a technology of interest to the food industry due to its ability to remove water and solvents without significantly raising the temperature of the load. The overall objective is to develop, test, and validate novel non-thermal gelation and drying processes to enhance/alter the functionality of proteins and enhance their capability of acting as carriers for different nutrients. The thesis will accomplish the aforementioned objective by achieving the following aims: • To understand the effect of ethanol-water binary system on the gelation properties of whey protein isolate and protein concentrates from almond, lentil, and pea proteins through conducting dynamic rheology measurements. • To study the potential of ethanol-induced protein gels as a carrier of different particle sizes of lipid-soluble vitamins, mainly lutein. • To test and validate the ability of ultrasound, a non-thermal drying technology, to dry protein solutions and gels from whey and vegetable sources.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Food Science & Human Nutrition

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Kreidly, Nahla

Contributors dc:contributor

• Padua, Graciela
• Engeseth, Nicki
• Andrade, Juan
• Feng, Hao

• alternative protein
• ethanol-induced gelation
• ultrasound drying

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2022 Nahla Kreidly

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117616

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F117616