Heat-induced gelling properties of egg white without ovotransferrin and lysozyme

In this study, we investigated the role of ovalbumin (OVA), ovotransferrin (OVT), and lysozyme (LYZ) as the major proteins involved in heat-induced gelation of egg white. OVT and LYZ deficient egg white (OLdEW) solutions were prepared from raw egg white (REW) subjected to heat treatment at 64 °C and centrifugation. OLdEW had almost the same native-OVA protein as in REW, confirmed by gel electrophoresis, differential scanning calorimetry, and surface hydrophobicity measurement. Texture profile analysis, syneresis rate measurement, and observation by scanning electron microscopy were performed for the heat-induced gels. The OLdEW gel had more porous and fibrous networks, resulting in less hardness, more resilience and compatible water holding capacity compared to the REW gel. These results suggest that OVA contributes to the water holding capacity and resilience in egg white gel, while OVT and LYZ contribute to enhanced gel hardness.