Effect of Component Migration during the Extraction Process on Functional Properties of Seed Storage Proteins from Camellia oleifera Abel.

In this study, the effect of component migration and interaction with concomitant saponins on the composition and functional properties of the seed storage proteins from Camellia oleifera Abel., a typical woody oil crop in China, was investigated using proteomics and molecular docking. The results showed that the optimal parameters for alkaline extraction were solid/liquid ratio 1:10 (g/mL) and pH 8.0, which resulted in an extraction rate of 75.8%, and a saponin-to-protein ratio of 2.60. The 11S globulins were precipitated at pH 4.5 with a saponin-to-protein ratio of 0.36. Albumin accounted for 69%of the total storage proteins, and coexisted with saponin during the extraction process, thus resulting in a high saponin-to-protein ratio of 3.73. The foaming properties of albumin and globulin from C. oleifera Abel. seeds were larger than 200%, and the emulsifying activity index was 16.7 m²/g. The interaction between saponins and proteins significantly improved the emulsion stability. This study provides theoretical support for the high-value utilization of proteins from C. oleifera Abel. and the development of functional food ingredients.