Study on preparation of acylated soy protein and stability of emulsion

BACKGROUND Protein can be used as an emulsifier to improve emulsion stability at the interface of water‐in‐oil emulsion. However, natural soybean protein isolate (SPI) does not meet the high demands as an emulsifier in the food industry. The effect of acylation modification by ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (EDTAD; 0–300 g kg−1) on the physicochemical properties of SPI was studied. RESULTS The results of the Fourier transform infrared spectra analyses showed that carboxyl groups were introduced into the SPI structure by the EDTAD treatment. The carboxyl concentration of SPI was increased by 30–74.07% with an increase in EDTAD addition from 50 to 300 g kg−1. When 150 g kg−1 EDTAD was added, the surface hydrophobicity, the emulsifying activity, and the absolute value of the zeta potential were increased by 213%, 120%, and 68% respectively, and the particle size decreased to 247 nm. The droplet size of emulsion decreased to 10 μm when pH was 6. At the same concentration of SPI and pH, the absolute value of zeta potential of the emulsion was biggest. A comparison of the emulsions during storage showed the improvement of emulsion stability was related to the increase in the zeta potential and the decrease in the average particle size. The experimental group showed no destabilization on day 21, and no obvious aggregation phenomenon was observed. CONCLUSION Acylation modification by EDTAD changed the emulsifying properties of SPI and enhanced the stability of the SPI emulsion. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry