Characterization of β-Glucan-Peanut Protein Isolate/Soy Protein Isolate Conjugates and Their Application on Low-Fat Sausage

Polysaccharide–protein conjugates can improve the functional properties and expand the application field. The emulsifying, thermal properties of WSG-PPI conjugates and WSG-SPI conjugates were improved, compared to WSG, PPI and SPI. The Maillard reaction was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Circular dichroism (CD) exhibited that the structure of the conjugates was more expanded. Cryo-SEM and AFM demonstrated that the WSG, WSG-PPI and WSG-SPI conjugates had a morphology of a chain. When the conjugates were added as fat substitutes to low-fat sausage, the cooking yield, hardness and chewiness increased. The objective of this research was to study the emulsifying property, thermal property and structural changes of β-glucan-peanut protein isolate (WSG-PPI) conjugates and β-glucan-soy protein isolate (WSG-SPI) conjugates prepared through wet-heated Maillard reaction, and their effect on the texture of low-fat sausage.