Effects and mechanism of ultrasound pretreatment of protein on the Maillard reaction of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

The effects of two types (energy-divergent/gathered) of ultrasound pretreatment of protein on the Maillard reaction of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were studied. The test and analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface hydrophobicity and atomic force microscopy of protein, peptide concentration, molecular weight distribution and free amino acid content of protein-hydrolysate were performed to reveal the mechanism. Also, the sensory characteristics of Maillard reaction products were evaluated. Results showed that Maillard reaction products presented higher absorbance value at 294 and 420 nm after pretreated by two types of ultrasound compared to that of control. The grafting degree value of products pretreated by energy-divergent ultrasound increased by 13.87%. Both of these two types of ultrasound pretreatment showed higher (p < 0.05) value of grafting degree compared to that of positive control (thermal denaturation). The random coil content and surface hydrophobicity of protein improved significantly (p < 0.05), and the depth distribution of protein molecules narrowed down after pretreated by ultrasound, especially energy-divergent type ultrasound. The change of protein structure increased small molecular peptide/amino acid content in protein-hydrolysate, so that it promoted the Maillard reaction process of protein-hydrolysate and glucose. The mouthfulness and overall acceptance of Maillard reaction products increased after pretreated by two types of ultrasound. Results indicated that ultrasound, especially energy-divergent type ultrasound pretreatment of protein was an effective method to promote Maillard reaction evolution of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp protein and improved the flavor of Maillard reaction products.