Sustainable emerging high-intensity sonication processing to enhance the protein bioactivity and bioavailability: An updated review

High-intensity ultrasound (HIU) is considered one of the promising non-chemical eco-friendly techniques used in food processing. Recently (HIU) is known to enhance food quality, extraction of bioactive compounds and formulation of emulsions. Various foods are treated with ultrasound, including fats, bioactive compounds, and proteins. Regarding proteins, HIU induces acoustic cavitation and bubble formation, causing the unfolding and exposure of hydrophobic regions, resulting in functional, bioactive, and structural enhancement. This review briefly portrays the impact of HIU on the bioavailability and bioactive properties of proteins; the effect of HIU on protein allergenicity and anti-nutritional factors has also been discussed. HIU can enhance bioavailability and bioactive attributes in plants and animal-based proteins, such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and peptide release. Moreover, numerous studies revealed that HIU treatment could enhance functional properties, increase the release of short-chain peptides, and decrease allergenicity. HIU could replace the chemical and heat treatments used to enhance protein bioactivity and digestibility; however, its applications are still on research and small scale, and its usage in industries is yet to be implemented.