Emulsifying properties and structural characteristics of β-conglycinin and dextran conjugates synthesised in a pressurised liquid system

Summary The purpose of this study was to characterise the Maillard reaction in a pressurised liquid system containing β-conglycinin and dextran. The rate of browning and the free amino content in this liquid system, with an initial pH of 7.2, were measured after reaction under atmospheric pressure and at 10 MPa. The secondary and tertiary structures of the conjugates were analysed by circular dichroism, showing that the increased pressure accelerated the reaction rate of the free amino groups and reduced the rate of browning. Significant structural changes occurred in the tertiary structure of the conjugates. Additionally, the emulsifying properties of the β-conglycinin–dextran conjugates produced were studied. The emulsifying properties of the conjugates produced at 10 MPa were higher than those made at atmospheric pressure.