Project Details
Projekt
Impact and control of mechanical stress on protein structures during formulation in premix-emulsification
Applicants
Professor Dr. Stephan Drusch; Professor Dr.-Ing. Udo Fritsching; Professorin Dr. Anja Maria Wagemans
Subject Area
Mechanical Process Engineering
Term
from 2016 to 2023
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 315245834
The aim of the project is to quantify the mechanical stress (stress residence time) and resulting process-induced structural changes on proteins and bio-agglomerates during premix membrane emulsification. Based hereon underlying mechanisms of stress response for proteins and bio-agglomerates are identified and concepts for process design and control are derived. It is assumed that the structural change of proteins depends on the stress residence time in the membrane.In the first part of the project, structural changes of β-lactoglobulin in the membrane as a function of the stress residence time were investigated at the process and on the structural level. In the upcoming part of the project, the intermolecular interactions of proteins and interactions within the process environment as well as sorption phenomena at the membrane will be systematically investigated. Protein structures will be varied by using structurally modified variants of β-lactoglobulin (high-pressure-modified protein, amyloid-like aggregates, recombinant proteins). The complex material properties were studied using high-resolution protein analysis such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The analytical portfolio will be extended by osmometry and analytical ultracentrifugation. Simulation techniques will be completed with an extended approach of molecular dynamics. Furthermore, in the second part of the project, the enzyme lipase will be used as a model protein with complex tertiary and quaternary structure. Change in its activity will be investigated and thus knowledge about process-related stress and loss of functionality in biological systems will be generated.To fulfill the aim of the specific project, a close cooperation between the Department of Multiphase Flow of the Leibniz Institute in Bremen and the Department of Food Technology and Food Material Science of the Technical University Berlin with their competencies in analysis and modeling at the process and the structural level is required. Specific competencies on the characterization of intermolecular interactions and sorption processes are provided by the Department of Food Colloids of the Technical University Berlin. Close cooperation with other partners within the priority program will lead to a generalized understanding of process-induced stress and its impact on material properties of biological systems in a wide range of different scenarios. This understanding will allow a more targeted process engineering and adaption of biological systems to their specific process environment.
DFG Programme
Priority Programmes
