Effect of the disruption chamber geometry on the physicochemical and structural properties of water-soluble myofibrillar proteins prepared by high pressure homogenization (HPH)

Abstract High pressure homogenization (HPH) can solubilize myofibrillar proteins (MPs) in water. To elucidate the effect of the HPH disruption chamber geometry on the physicochemical and structural properties of MPs in water, two types of nozzle and a counter flow interaction chamber (cf) were applied to homogenize MPs aqueous solutions at pressures of 0 MPa, 103 MPa and 172 MPa HPH for 2 passes, and the physical dispersion and conformational characteristics of MPs in water were investigated. The nozzles and counter flow chamber played a major role in the solubility of MPs in water at 103 MPa and 172 MPa HPH, respectively. Turbulence and cavitation in a narrow nozzle and counter flow action resulted in a decreased MP particle size (232 nm) in water, destroyed secondary structures and exposed hydrophobic and SH groups. The solubility (98.1%) and stability of MPs in water were increased by HPH. The results showed that the required solubility of MPs in water can be achieved by adopting proper HPH disruption chamber geometry , which provides a new method on meat processing.