The present study investigated the impact of heat treatments on the denaturation and oxidative stability of hemp seed protein during simulated gastrointestinal digestion
(GID). Heat-denatured hemp protein isolate (HPI) solutions
were prepared by heating HPI (2 mg/ml, pH 6.8) to 40, 60, 80
and 100 °C for 10 min. Heat-induced denaturation of the protein
isolates was monitored by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Heating HPI at temperatures above 80 °C significantly
reduced solubility and led to the formation of large protein
aggregates. The isolates were then subjected to in vitro GID
and the oxidative stability of the generated peptides was investigated.
Heating did not significantly affect the formation
of oxidation products during GID. The results suggest that
heat treatments should ideally remain below 80 °C if heat
stability and solubility of HPI are to be preserved.