Functional properties of glycated soy 11S glycinin

11S-rich glycinin fraction was extracted from defatted soy flakes and glycated using glucose (at a 1:44 molar ratio of protein to sugar) through the Maillard reaction. The glycation was done at 50 degrees C and 65% relative humidity for varying incubation periods (6, 16, 24, and 48 h). Fluorescamine and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) methods both revealed a gradual increase in % glycation from 34.8% to 39.6%, 42.6%, and 46.5%, as samples were glycated from 6 to 48 h. Functional studies of the glycated 11S-rich glycinin fraction showed an initial increase in solubility during the early stages of glycation and a decrease as glycation progressed beyond 24 h. Glycation in the 1st hour of incubation also decreased protein surface hydrophobicity and fat absorption capacity (FAC). This was mainly attributed to an increase in the net negative charge induced by the introduction of the sugar moiety. As the Maillard reaction progressed (24 h and 48 h of incubation), an increase in FAC and surface hydrophobicity was observed. The results further showed an increase in foaming properties and emulsifying activity of the 11S-rich glycinin fraction with glycation (compared with control), especially at the early and middles stages of the Maillard reaction.