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  • Title: Swelling and dissolution of beta-lactoglobulin gels in alkali.
    Author: Mercadé-Prieto R, Falconer RJ, Paterson WR, Wilson DI.
    Journal: Biomacromolecules; 2007 Feb; 8(2):469-76. PubMed ID: 17243763.
    Abstract:
    It is well documented in the literature that during the dissolution of whey protein gels in alkali, the gels swell to a great extent. However, the relevance of the swelling step in the dissolution process of the protein gel remains unknown. In the present article we present a systematic study on the swelling of beta-lactoglobulin gels at different alkaline pH and ionic strengths. The equilibrium swelling degree at different conditions has been modeled using a simple model developed for polyelectrolyte gels, modified to take into account the ionization of the residues in a protein. The model can describe the swelling behavior of the gels over a wide range of conditions, but it underpredicts the equilibrium swelling under conditions close to those when dissolution is observed. Dissolution is only noticeable above pH 11.5-12 and only for those gels that are swollen over a minimum degree, suggesting the existence of a dissolution threshold.
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