Interactions of Different Polyphenols with Wheat Germ Albumin and Globulin: Alterations in the Conformation and Emulsification Properties of Proteins

In this study, chlorogenic acid (CA), piceatannol (PIC), epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and ferulic acid (FA) was selected to explore the influence of polyphenol on the structural properties of wheat germ albumin (WGA) and wheat germ globulin (WGG). The emulsifying properties of the emulsions prepared by WGA-EGCG complex were also evaluated. The results indicated that all polyphenols could significantly enhance the antioxidant capacity of WGA and WGG. In particular, EGCG increased the ratio of random coil in WGA and WGG, resulting in protein unfolding and shifting from an order to disorder structure. In addition, lipid oxidation and protein oxidation of the soybean oil emulsion was significantly slowed down by WGA-EGCG. The stability of the emulsions under various environmental stress and the storage time was significantly improved by WGA-EGCG. These findings can provide a reference for expanding the application of wheat germ protein in food industry.