Process
conditions that are applied to make structured soy-protein-based
food commonly include high temperatures. Those conditions can induce
protein oxidation, leading to a decrease in their susceptibility to
proteolysis by digestive enzymes. We aimed to investigate the effects
of thermomechanical processing on oxidation and in vitro gastric digestion
of commercial soy protein ingredients. Samples were sheared at 100
to 140 °C and characterized for acid uptake, carbonyl content,
electrophoresis, and surface hydrophobicity. The enzymatic hydrolysis
was determined in simulated gastric conditions. Protein ingredients
were already oxidized and showed higher surface hydrophobicity and
hydrolysis rate compared with those of the processed matrices. However,
no clear correlation between the level of carbonyls and the hydrolysis
rate was found. Therefore, we conclude that gastric digestion is mostly
driven by the matrix structure and composition and the available contact
area between the substrate and proteolytic enzymes.