The haze-forming activity of a polypeptide depends greatly on its proline c
ontent. Haze-forming polyphenols have at least two binding groups, each of
which has at least two hydroxy groups on an aromatic ring. The protein/poly
phenol ratio has a strong influence on the amount of haze formed; the large
st amount occurs when the numbers of polyphenol binding ends and protein bi
nding sites are nearly equal. This has important consequences for turbidime
tric methods used to measure haze-active proteins and polyphenols in bevera
ges. The ratio also influences the effectiveness of a number of stabilizati
on procedures.