Improving the emulsifying properties of sodium caseinate through conjugation with soybean soluble polysaccharides

This study was conducted to investigate the impact on the techno-functionality over sodium caseinate (NaCS) when are conjugated with soluble soybean polysaccharides (SSPS). NaCS/SSPS conjugates were prepared through the Maillard reaction using dry heating. The formation of covalent binding between NaCS and SSPS and structural changes of NaCS during glycation were confirmed via SDS-PAGE and ATR-FTIR. A positive correlation was observed between the increase in the browning index of samples and Amadori compounds formation over time, based on the colorimetric results. Emulsions stabilization using conjugates with a higher NaCS/SSPS ratio led to a decreasing trend in the droplets' size and creaming index. Meanwhile, higher viscosity and shear-thinning behavior were observed in conjugate-based emulsions. Finally, conjugates prepared with the NaCS/SSPS ratio of 9/1 at an incubation time of 24 h presented a higher pH and thermal stability and better performance in emulsion stabilization in comparison with each of the biopolymers alone.