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Transforming sustainable plant proteins into high performance lubricating microgels

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Kew

    (University of Leeds)

  • Melvin Holmes

    (University of Leeds)

  • Evangelos Liamas

    (University of Leeds
    Unilever Research & Development Port Sunlight, Quarry Road East, Bebington)

  • Rammile Ettelaie

    (University of Leeds)

  • Simon D. Connell

    (University of Leeds)

  • Daniele Dini

    (Imperial College London)

  • Anwesha Sarkar

    (University of Leeds)

Abstract

With the resource-intensive meat industry accounting for over 50% of food-linked emissions, plant protein consumption is an inevitable need of the hour. Despite its significance, the key barrier to adoption of plant proteins is their astringent off-sensation, typically associated with high friction and consequently poor lubrication performance. Herein, we demonstrate that by transforming plant proteins into physically cross-linked microgels, it is possible to improve their lubricity remarkably, dependent on their volume fractions, as evidenced by combining tribology using biomimetic tongue-like surface with atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, rheology and adsorption measurements. Experimental findings which are fully supported by numerical modelling reveal that these non-lipidic microgels not only decrease boundary friction by an order of magnitude as compared to native protein but also replicate the lubrication performance of a 20:80 oil/water emulsion. These plant protein microgels offer a much-needed platform to design the next-generation of healthy, palatable and sustainable foods.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Kew & Melvin Holmes & Evangelos Liamas & Rammile Ettelaie & Simon D. Connell & Daniele Dini & Anwesha Sarkar, 2023. "Transforming sustainable plant proteins into high performance lubricating microgels," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-40414-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40414-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liran Ma & Anastasia Gaisinskaya-Kipnis & Nir Kampf & Jacob Klein, 2015. "Origins of hydration lubrication," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-6, May.
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