Food and non-food application of plant-based proteins

Plant proteins are gradually settling into the market as a healthier and more sustainable alternative to the current system of animal protein production, becoming a possible solution to meet the protein needs of a growing population. Nowadays, plant proteins are widely used in the food sector, either in the form of meals with various protein concentrations (flours, concentrates and isolates), or as dry or wet textured proteins used to make alternative products to meat. Nonetheless, quoting the article  “Plant-based proteins and their multifaceted industrial applications” their use is not only limited to the food sector, but also to so-called non-food sectors such as edible coatings, food stabilizers, bioactive peptides (BAPs) and hydrogels.

Food applications

Besides fulfilling their main role of maintaining bone health, increasing muscle mass, helping the weight control and meeting supplemental nutrient needs, plant proteins contribute to a better cardiovascular health and in protecting the body from various diseases. Plant proteins also provide many essential amino acids and macronutrients necessary for the health of the human body. For these reasons in the food industry they can be used in the form of dietary supplements, for protein, amino acid and vitamin and mineral requirements.

Plant proteins can also play an important role in food formulations because of their functionalities, such as absorbing water or oil, creating emulsion and foam, and creating gels. These properties make them attractive for vegan or gluten-free formulations, where they can take on a structural role in the food, in addition to their protein enrichment function

Non-food applications

• Bioactive peptides (BAP)

Protein hydrolysates containing bioactive peptides can be produced from plant proteins by extensive or partial hydrolysis. The latter are generally associated with antitumor, antithrombotic, cholesterol-lowering activities and having antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Bioactive peptides may be appealing in dietary use, particularly in the development of functional foods with health benefits. In addition, due to their properties, bioactive peptides contained in protein hydrolysates from plant proteins can be used in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

• Edible coatings

The use of plant proteins expands to food packaging, and in particular edible coatings, which are increasingly requested by consumers aware of the effects that packaging can have on food and the environment. According to the article, packaging made of environmentally sustainable, biodegradable and edible natural biopolymers are mainly used to produce globular proteins that are denatured with heat, solvent, bases and acids in order to mold them to form food films.

• Hydrogels

Hydrogels can also be obtained from plant proteins, a colloid formed by polymeric chains of molecules dispersed in water, having a high aqueous content. According to the above article, hydrogels based on plant proteins and peptides belong to an interesting category of biomaterials due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility; these can be used in controlled drug delivery systems, in removing heavy metal toxicity from aqueous media, as structures in tissue engineering, in contact lenses, to influence pH, and as biosensors.

• Adhesives

Plant proteins are also used for the production of alternative adhesives to chemical-based adhesives; denaturation of plant proteins leads to their unfolding, resulting in the exposure of hydrophobic groups making them suitable for use in the production of adhesives.

• Cosmetics

As discussed in detail in the article “Plant proteins in cosmetics“ plant proteins subjected to hydrolysis have been used since ancient times for cosmetic purposes, especially as agents that give shine, smoothness and protection to skin and hair. Their use in skin care products can be beneficial as they are able to increase the skin’s elasticity and hydration, improving its resilience over time. As an ingredient in hair care products, on the other hand, they can impart the property of softening hair, improving its shine.

In conclusion, the most prominent sector for use remains the food sector, as it brings with it various reasons for looking at the so-called “Protein Transition“; from health reasons, to environmental concerns, to ethical issues related to animal meat consumption. On the other hand, with the increasing research on plant proteins, one can hope for more and more uses in different industrial fields, expanding the versatility of these ingredients.