Insight into Organization of Gliadin and Glutenin Extracted from Gluten Modified by Phenolic Acids.

The changes in the secondary structure of individual gluten protein fractions (gliadin and glutenin) caused by the supplementation of model dough with eight phenolic acids were analysed. Gliadins and glutenins were extracted from gluten samples obtained from overmixed dough. The changes in the gliadin secondary structure depended on the amount of phenolic acid added to the dough. Higher acid concentrations (0.1% and 0.2%) led to a significant reduction in the amount of α-helices and to the formation of aggregates, non-ordered secondary structures, and antiparallel ß-sheets. After the addition of acids at a lower concentration (0.05%), the disaggregation of pseudo-ß-sheet structures and the formation of ß-turns, hydrogen-bonded ß-turns, and antiparallel ß-sheets were detected. In the case of glutenin, most of the phenolic acids induced the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the polypeptide chains, leading to glutenin aggregation. When phenolic acids were added at a concentration of 0.05%, the process of protein folding and regular secondary structure formation was also observed. In this system, antiparallel ß-sheets and ß-turns were created at the expense of pseudo-ß-sheets.

How Do Phenolic Acids Change the Secondary and Tertiary Structure of Gliadin? Studies with an Application of Spectroscopic Techniques.

The effect of the chemical structure of selected phenolic acids on the molecular organization of gliadins was investigated with the application of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technique, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Hydroxybenzoic (4-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, vanillic, and syringic) and hydroxycinnamic (coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, sinapic) acids have been used as gliadins modifiers. The results indicated that hydroxybenzoic acids due to their smaller size incorporate into spaces between two polypeptide chains and form a hydrogen bond with them leading to aggregation. Additionally, syringic acids could incorporate into hydrophobic pockets of protein. Whereas hydroxycinnamic acids, due to their higher stiffness and larger size, separated polypeptide chains leading to gliadin disaggregation. These acids did not incorporate into hydrophobic pockets.

Effect of chemical structure of selected phenolic acids on the structure of gluten proteins.

Effect of overmixing process and structure of selected phenolic acids belonging to hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic group on the structure of gluten network were analysed with application of FT-Raman Spectroscopy. Modification of gluten by acids resulted in formation of aggregates and unordered structures at the expense of protein stabilizing structures (e.g. ß-sheets or ß-turns). Supplementation with most of the acids caused reduction in the amount of disulphide bonds in the most stable conformation (g-g-g). Changes in the molecular organization of gluten proteins depended on the chemical structure of particular acids. The presence of bands assigned to aggregates was connected with the number of OH groups present at the aromatic ring of the acids. Acids belonging to hydroxycinnamic group did not incorporate or incorporate only partially into gluten network by formation of covalent or hydrogen bonds. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that hydroxycinnamic acids can interact stronger with gluten proteins compared to hydroxybenzoic acids.

Effects of Physical and Chemical Factors on the Structure of Gluten, Gliadins and Glutenins as Studied with Spectroscopic Methods.

This review presents applications of spectroscopic methods, infrared and Raman spectroscopies in the studies of the structure of gluten network and gluten proteins (gliadins and glutenins). Both methods provide complimentary information on the secondary and tertiary structure of the proteins including analysis of amide I and III bands, conformation of disulphide bridges, behaviour of tyrosine and tryptophan residues, and water populations. Changes in the gluten structure can be studied as an effect of dough mixing in different conditions (e.g., hydration level, temperature), dough freezing and frozen storage as well as addition of different compounds to the dough (e.g., dough improvers, dietary fibre preparations, polysaccharides and polyphenols). Additionally, effect of above mentioned factors can be determined in a common wheat dough, model dough (prepared from reconstituted flour containing only wheat starch and wheat gluten), gluten dough (lack of starch), and in gliadins and glutenins. The samples were studied in the hydrated state, in the form of powder, film or in solution. Analysis of the studies presented in this review indicates that an adequate amount of water is a critical factor affecting gluten structure.