Enhanced emulsion capacity and gel properties of bighead carp myofibrillar protein through interaction with fresh maize bran arabinoxylan extracted by complex enzymes

Abstract Bighead carp has the largest production amount among freshwater fish in China, but its physicochemical properties change rapidly with the denaturation of their myofibril protein (MP). The protein–polysaccharide complexes have shown interesting physicochemical properties as stabilisers and emulsifiers. In this study, arabinoxylans (AXs) were prepared and mixed with bighead carp MP to form a composite gel. The effect of AXs on the thermal stability, emulsification and emulsion stability of the composite gel was investigated. The results showed that fraction precipitated by 60% ethanol (F60) and by 90% (F90) improved the denaturation temperature of bighead carp MP from 65.99 °C to 67.39 °C and 68.22 °C, respectively. The emulsifying capacity of F60 (0.54 m2 g−1) was similar to that of sucrose (0.52 m2 g−1). The effect of F90 on the emulsion stability of bighead carp MP was better than that of F60. The elasticity of bighead carp MP was improved by F60 and F90. The hydroxyl group interactions, hydrophobic interactions and electrostatic forces exist between the macromolecules. AXs of fresh maize bran could prevent protein denaturation and improve the emulsion capacity and gel properties of bighead carp MP.