Chapter 2: The Role of Proteins in the Development of Food Structure

Understanding the behavior and structure of food products requires knowledge of the spatial arrangement of the various components and their interactions. Among these components, proteins, beyond their roles in nutrition and health, exhibit specific functional properties inherited from both their molecular flexibility and the plasticity of their diversified assemblies. These structural and functional properties make food proteins versatile and useful ingredients in a wide range of product development. This chapter reviews the role of proteins in the development of food structure with a focus on milk and egg proteins. We first describe the main proteins, their physicochemical characteristics, and the diversity of assembled structures obtained during processing. Through specific examples, including proteins gels, yogurt, and various cheeses, we illustrate how the properties of proteins are explored in the manufacture of food.