Effect of ultrasonication on functional properties of tamarind seed protein isolates

In the present study protein was isolated from tamarind seed powder and was subjected to ultrasonication by varying the time (15 and 30 min) and intensity (100 and 200 W) of treatment. The effect of the ultrasound treatment on the various properties like solubility, emulsifying property, foaming property, water holding capacity, oil holding capacity, particle density and molecular weight was investigated. The solubility, emulsifying property, foaming property, water holding capacity and oil holding capacity of the ultrasonically treated tamarind seed protein isolates improved after treatment and was found to increase with time or intensity of the treatment. The particle density slightly decreased after ultrasonication, but significant differences could not be observed for the different treatment conditions. The SDS-PAGE profiling did not reveal any differences in the molecular weights of the treated and untreated proteins, implying that ultrasonication did not affect the primary structure of the proteins. It can be concluded from the study that ultrasonication can be used to improve the functional properties of tamarind seed protein isolates and therefore has potential for use in various food and non-food applications.