Abstract
Abstract
Undeniably, a matter of significant concern in today’s highly populated globe is the adequate supply of high-quality dietary protein. Animal proteins constitute excellent dietary sources of protein. Their association with a substantial carbon footprint during production has boosted initiatives to identify alternative proteins. In this study, proteins were isolated from brown seaweed (
Sargassum tenerrimum
) and dried employing three distinct drying techniques: freeze drying (FD-SPI), vacuum drying (VD-SPI), and spray drying (SD-SPI). Further, the isolates were characterised for biochemical, physical, structural, functional, and bioactive properties. Protein concentrations of 49.16, 64.64, and 66.29% were recorded in VD-SPI, FD-SPI, and SD-SPI, respectively. Heavy metals such as cadmium, silver, mercury, molybdenum, lead, and selenium in protein isolates were below the detection threshold. The presence of higher total phenolic content in FD-SPI compared to that of SD-SPI and VD-SPI was observed. Extracts prepared from SPIs showed increasing DPPH free radical scavenging and FRAP in all the samples in a dose dependant manner. FT-IR, FT-NIR and SEM analysis revealed structural differences with reference to the drying method employed. The minimum and maximum solubility were found at pH 3.0 and 11 for all the protein isolate samples. Emulsifying and foaming properties were found to be higher in SD-SPI. Structural and functional properties of seaweed protein isolates were superior in the case of FD-SPI and SD-SPI.