Low resolution NMR spectroscopy: a tool to study protein denaturation: I. Application to diamagnetic whey proteins

Abstract

SummaryA method using low resolution NMR spectroscopy is described for investigating whey protein thermal denaturation. The method is based on measuring at 20 °C changes in water proton transverse (T2) relaxation parameter following the denaturing treatment. This parameter is shown to be sensitive to protein denaturation and not to other phenomena such as gelation. Examples are given for the qualitative study of protein thermal denaturation in whey protein concentratc, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin and immunoglobulins aqueous solutions and for the quantitative determination of thermal denaturation in whey protein concentrate solutions.