Recent advances in legume protein-based colloidal systems

Abstract

Developing nature-derived surface-active ingredients with favorable interfacial and functional properties has recently received increasing attention in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Legume proteins are used extensively in food colloidal systems because of their small particle size, high water absorption capability, excellent functional properties (e.g., emulsification, foamability, and gelation), and film formation. There are some limitations in legume proteins, such as high water vapor permeability and fragility, as well as low stability and solubility. Various conventional and innovative processing technologies (e.g., high-pressure homogenization, ultrasonication, and cold plasma processing) have been successfully employed in order to modify the functional and interfacial properties of legume proteins. In this review, the formation and stability of legume protein-based colloidal systems and their applications are discussed.