Effect of ascorbic acid and protein concentration on the molecular weight profile of bovine serum albumin and beta-lactoglobulin by gamma-irradiation

The effects of ascorbic acid and protein concentration on the molecular wei ght size distribution of BSA and beta-lactoglobulin were examined after irr adiation of proteins at various doses. Gamma-irradiation of protein solutio ns caused disruption of the ordered structure of protein molecules resultin g in degradation, cross-linking, and aggregation of the polypeptide chains. SDS-PAGE and gel permeation chromatography study showed that ascorbic acid protected the aggregation and degradation of proteins by scavenging oxygen radicals produced by irradiation and the effect of irradiation on protein conformation was more significant at lower concentrations of proteins. (C) 2000 Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology. Published by Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.