Cricket isolates as ingredients to design protein foods: Functional, structural and interfacial properties
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The ever-increasing world population has led to an increased demand for protein-rich food. This promoted continuous research on new types of suitable proteins with good amino acid profiles. This work evaluated the functional and interfacial properties of a commercial cricket (Acheta Domesticus) protein flour (69.4 %w/w of proteins). The raw meal was defatted with supercritical CO 2 and hexane extraction. Both methods proved to be effective, with a similar extraction yield (close to 80 %). Protein solutions were prepared by solubilizing either the raw or the defatted meal in bi-distilled water and they were used to evaluate the isoelectric point (ranging between pH 4 and 4.4), solubility (the highest value, i.e., 80 % was observed close to pH 11) and interfacial properties. Using the pendant drop method, interfacial tension was evaluated at the air/water and water/oil interface. The measurements at both interfaces showed a significant decrease in tension values, due to the protein adsorption. The adsorption isotherms at both interfaces exhibited a typical sigmoidal trend with values close to those of typical animal proteins. Finally, the foaming (FC) and emulsifying capacities (EC) were measured obtaining, at 10 % w/w of protein content, results interesting for potential practical uses. • Protein isolates obtained through CO 2 extraction show good functional properties. • Protein isolates demonstrate reduced protein solubility and a diminished zeta potential. • The saturation value of the Interfacial tension is close to typical animal proteins. • Interesting foaming and emulsifying capacities were observed at 10 % w/w of protein. • Adsorption isotherms for Air/Water and Oil/Water interfaces show promising trends for food design.
Authors: S. Aprile, N. Baldino, O. Mileti, F.R. Lupi, D. Gabriele
Institution: University of Calabria
Language: English
Topic: Proteins in Food Systems
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,470
OpenAlex ID: W4409012297