Heat accelerates degradation of beta-lactoglobulin fibrils at neutral pH

Fibrous aggregates of beta-lactoglobulin display superior mechanical and interfacial properties compared to the native protein. These properties directly link to the protein morphology and structure. When incorporated into food matrices, during processing protein fibrils are exposed to pH shifts and high temperature conditions, which accelerate their degradation. In the present study, neutralized beta-lactoglobulin fibrils were heated at 100 degrees C and 121 degrees C for various times to assess their degradation. Fibril morphology, structure, and viscosity in solution were examined by microscopy, scattering, spectroscopy, and rheology. Atomic force microscopy showed the contour length of the protein fibrils decreased gradually with heating at 100 degrees C and 121 degrees C, with greater decreases at 121 degrees C. Increased fibril diameters (similar to 15-25 nm) were observed at 121 degrees C for 5-15 min heating and were disrupted upon further heating. Small-angle x-ray scattering indicated an increase in fibril radius with heating at pH 7 followed by a decrease at prolonged heating, whereas fibril length decreased continuously with heating. Thioflavin T fluorescence, circular dichroism and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the conversion of beta-sheet to random coils as fibrils were degraded during thermal treatment at pH 7. Surface hydrophobicity of fibrils decreased with increase in heating temperature and time, coinciding with an increase in the content of non-aggregated proteins. Viscosity of fibril solutions increased when fibrils were heated at 100 degrees C, whereas at 121 degrees C their viscosity first increased and then decreased. These findings imply heating at 100 degrees C and 121 degrees C facilitates degradation and depolymerisation of beta-lactoglobulin fibrils with aggregation as an intermediate step. (AU)