Protease-Mediated Synthesis of Zein Nanofibrils: From Structural Elucidation to Functional Application.

ABSTRACT: The fibrillization of plant-based proteins enhances their functionality, enabling potential applications in food and sustainable materials. Zein, a highly hydrophobic protein from corn, is a versatile industrial ingredient, but its functionality is limited to environments containing high levels of organic solvents. This study aims to develop a protease-assisted approach for synthesizing zein nanofibrils as functional building blocks, eliminating the need for organic solvents in the conventional process. Through proteomics, microscopy, and spectroscopy, the bioprocess and structural features of these novel nanofibrils are characterized. The results reveal that over 50% of α-zein sequence is prone to fibrillization, with pepsin demonstrating a clear advantage in efficiently releasing fibrill

SUBMITTER: Li M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12140339 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature