Harnessing Pulse Proteins as Soy Protein Substitutes in Spreadable Cheese Analogues: Exploring Correlations Among Protein Techno-Functionality, and Cheese Textural, Rheological and Sensory Properties

Abstract

This study aimed at comparing techno-functional properties of faba bean (FBP), pinto bean (PBP), cowpea (CPP) and mung bean (MBP) proteins with commercial soy protein isolate (SPI), and exploring their correlations with textural, rheological and sensory properties of plant protein-based spreadable cheese analogues. FBP and MBP showed the best solubility between pH 3.0 and 11.0. The highest and the lowest water and oil (OAC) absorption capacities were observed for SPI and MBP (7.78 and 0.79 g H2O/g), and PBP and SPI (7.79 and 3.55 g oil/g). Protein's least gelling concentrations (LGC) ranged from 10 % (SPI) to 18 % (FBP). CPP, MBP, and PBP formed harder, gummier gels at >= LGC than SPI and FBP. Pre-gels of PBP and CPP at <= LGCs showed the highest consistency and viscosity indexes. Proteins showed similar emulsification. Cheese analogue from SPI (SPIC) showed the highest firmness (37.5 N) and work to shear for spreadability (57.5 N s), followed by cheese analogues of other proteins such as MBPC, CPPC, FBPC, and PBPC in descending order. The highest and lowest elastic (G ') and viscous (G '') moduli were obtained for MBPC (G' = 4353 and G"= 1277) and PBPC (G' = 377 Pa and G"= 98 Pa). OAC of proteins correlated with cheese analogues' firmness (r =- 0.918), work to shear for spreadability (r =- 0.910), and stickiness (r =- 0.894). Tan delta (G"/G ') of cheese analogues correlated with work to shear for spreadability (r = 0.986). SPIC and FBPC received the highest overall liking scores correlated mainly with appearance, color and taste. Correlating protein techno-functionality in cheese analogue opens new horizons for effective utilization of pulse proteins as soy protein substitutes.