Molecular interactions involved in the complexation process between buffalo whey proteins concentrate and folic acid

LEANDRO FABIÁN BUSTOS; MARÍA ALICIA JUDIS; FRANCO EMANUEL VASILE; OSCAR EDGARDO PEREZ

FOOD CHEMISTRY

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022

0308-8146

Using buffalo whey proteins as carrier agents of sensitive molecules raises an interesting approach allowingadding value and minimizing the pollution impact of this by-product. In this context, this work aims to explorethe molecular interactions between buffalo whey proteins concentrate (BWPC) and folic acid (FA). For thispurpose, fluorescence, UV and FTIR analysis were performed on aqueous or solid dispersions of a buffalo wheyprotein concentrate (5 μM) (BWPC), with variable concentrations (0?20 μM) of FA. Fluorescence and absorptiondata were fitted by Stern-Volmer, Beckett, F¨orster resonance energy transfer, and sphere-of-action models (R2 >0.9). Derived results suggest that BWPC strongly bind to FA through non-covalent interactions and form groundstatecomplexes. Additionally, BWPC improves the photostability of FA against UV radiation, and chemicaldenaturation negatively affects the binding properties. Obtained results encourage further studies of BWPC ascarrier agents, which could promote innovative applications for this under-utilized proteins source.