Abstract
Recently, there has been a growing interest in advancing plant-based or cultured meat substitutes as environmentally and ethically superior alternatives to traditional animal-derived meat. In pursuit of simulating the authentic meat structure, a composite fiber composed primarily of soy protein isolates (SPIs) was fashioned, employing a fiber-based plant-based analog meat construct. To refine the spinning process and enhance fiber quality, we employed ultrasound treatment, a physical modification technique, to scrutinize its influence on SPI protein structure. This inquiry extended to the examination of the interplay between sodium alginate (SA) and SPI, as well as the impact of salt ions on the SA and ultrasound soy protein isolates (USPI) interaction. A comprehensive exploration encompassing ultrasound treatments and salt concentrations within the composite solution, along with their repercussions on composite fiber characterization, with a rise in negative zeta potential value, states the ultrasound treatment fosters protein aggregation. Moreover, the introduction of salt augments protein aggregation as salt content escalates, ultimately resulting in a reduced structural viscosity index and improved spinnability. The presence of Ca2+ ions during the coagulation process leads to interactions with SA. The involvement of ultrasound prompts the exposure of hydrophilic amino acid segments in the protein to water, leading to the development of a more porous structure. Solely under the influence of ultrasound, the fiber exhibits 5% higher water-holding capacity and superior mechanical properties while maintaining comparable thermal stability.