Design of Plant-Based Food: Influences of Macronutrients and Amino Acid Composition on the Techno-Functional Properties of Legume Proteins

Imitating animal-based products using vegetable proteins is a technological challenge that can be mastered based on their techno-functional properties. These properties of legume proteins can be influenced by multiple factors, among which the macronutrients and amino acid contents play an important role. Therefore, the question arises as to what extent the techno-functional properties are related to these factors. The water- and oil-holding capacities and the emulsion and foaming properties of commercially available legume protein powders were analyzed. Correlations between macronutrient, amino acid content, steric structure, and techno-functional properties were conducted. However, the protein concentration is the focus of techno-functional properties, as well as the type of protein and the interaction with the non-protein ingredients. The type of protein is not always quantified by the quantity of amino acids or by their spatial arrangement. In this study, the effects of the three-dimensional structure were observed by the used purification method, which overshadow the influencing factors of the macronutrients and amino acid content. In summary, both the macronutrient and amino acid contents of legume proteins provide a rough indication but not a comprehensive statement about their techno-functional properties and classification in an adequate product context.