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Background: Increasing concerns about nutritional deficiency, food security, and sustainability have emphasized work on exploring alternative and sustainable sources of protein. In this study, an initiative to extract and utilize protein concentrates, and hydrolysates from sea buckthorn seed, otherwise a waste material, is undertaken. The effect of hydrolysis using various enzymes namely pepsin (pH 2.0 and 37°C), trypsin (pH 7.0 and 37°C), and protamex (pH 7.0 and 50°C), for different time durations, namely, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min, on the structural and functional properties of sea buckthorn seed protein concentrate (SSPC), was elucidated. Results: The emulsifying activity index and solubility of pepsin‐hydrolysed SSPC increased significantly and were higher than those of trypsin and protamex hydrolysed SSPC samples. A Fourier transformation infrared study revealed that the enzyme hydrolysis treatment reduced the peak intensity in amide I, II, and III bands. A significant change was found in the β‐sheet, β‐turn and random coiling of the secondary structure of SSPC protein by enzymatic hydrolysis. The particle size ranged from 295.8 to 440, 388 to 713.6, 399 to 890 nm for pepsin, trypsin, and protamex, respectively. The microstructure of pepsin‐treated samples showed a more porous and loose structure than native, trypsin and protamex. Antioxidant activity increased significantly for all the samples with enzyme treatments carried out for different periods. Conclusion: The results indicate that the protein‐rich hydrolysates could create new opportunities for the development of effective techno‐functional additives for use in a wide range of food formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh lotus rhizome has a limited harvesting duration and is prone to browning leading to fast decomposition. Lotus rhizome powder (LRP) can be an innovative substitute to unravel this difficulty, valorize the product and improve its export potential. Microwave blanched lotus rhizome (LR) slices revealed the logarithmic model as the best drying model of fresh LR slices. Water activity (Aw) portrayed strong dependence on drying time; color parameters, a* increased, while L* and b* decreased with slice thickness. Water and oil absorption capacity (WAC and OAC) of lotus rhizome powder (LRP) changed from 4.95 to 1.68 g/g and 2.99 to 0.52 g/g, respectively, with a sharp increase in OAC of samples dried at 80°C. Storage modulus (G′) was higher than loss modulus (G″). Samples of 3 mm thickness dried at 50, 60 and, 70°C had the lowest flow behavior index (n) of 0.2219. Fourier transform infrared spectra of LRP displayed regions of polyphenols with slight deviations for different drying temperatures. It was concluded that 3 mm thick slices dried at 60–80°C required lesser time and possessed better WAC, OAC, and color values. Practical Applications: Recently, vegetable powders have driven the attention of food process engineers due to their stability and wide nutritional gamut. Thus, it is attempted to develop and characterize the Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn) rhizome powder which will not only make it readily available but will find its practical utilization as an ingredient in food formulations. Lotus rhizome powder is a unique blend of nutrients and bioactive components; therefore, it is important to understand its properties, drying behavior, and engineer the powder development with maximum functionality. Primarily, the lotus rhizome being a perishable vegetable, can be improved for shelf‐life stability and safety. Secondarily, the lotus rhizome powder can be incorporated as the functional ingredient, in flavoring, food, and pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, it is of prime significance to add value to this aquatic vegetable to make it an ideal food resource in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]