Effects of different drying methods on the structures and functional properties of phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein

Antarctic krill protein (AKP) was extracted from Antarctic krill by an alkali dissolution-isoelectric precipitation method and then it was phosphorylated with sodium tripolyphosphate. The phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein (P-AKP) powder was obtained by spray-drying (SD), freeze-drying (FD), and hot-air drying (AD), and the effects of these drying methods on the structures and functional properties of proteins were investigated. The P-AKP powder dried by SD had the best sensory performance, and its particle size was much smaller than that of FD and AD. Scanning electron microscope displayed a uniform particle size of SD powder and the particles were uniformly dispersed. X-ray diffraction analysis showed a higher crystallinity of SD sample than AD and FD. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis revealed that SD sample had the best thermal stability and less protein denaturation (ΔH = 210.80 J/g), followed by FD (ΔH = 80.48 J/g) and AD (ΔH = 73.94 J/g; P < 0.05). Fourier transform infrared showed that SD sample contained more protein secondary structure. Compared with SD, the phosphorylated group-related chemical bonds in FD and AD samples were partially destroyed. SD sample had the highest protein solubility, oil absorption capacity, emulsifying, and foaming activities than FD and AD (P < 0.05). Although FD had the highest water absorption capacity, sample prepared with AD had the worst functional performance. Therefore, different drying methods used for preparation of the P-AKP can affect its physicochemical and associated functional properties, and SD could be an appropriate drying method for the industrial mass production of P-AKP powders with better functionalities. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The optimal drying method for preparing the phosphorylated Antarctic krill protein (P-AKP) powder was proved to be spray-drying (SD), because the physicochemical and functional properties were better for P-AKP dried by SD than the other drying methods. Hence, SD was recommended for the industrial mass production of P-AKP powders with better functionalities. This research can provide theoretical guidance for the further processing and utilization of P-AKP, and offer technical reference for food processing and preservation.