Impact of pH on the interactions between whey and egg white proteins as assessed by the foamability of their mixtures

The impact of protein–protein interactions on foaming properties of mixtures consisting of egg white proteins (EWP) and whey proteins (WP) with total protein content of 60 g/L was examined at pH 5, 7 and 9. The ratio between EWP and WP in the mixtures was varied between 67:33, 50:50 and 33:67 (in %; w/w). The ionic strength was adjusted to that of milk (I = 176 mM). The foamability of the protein products was characterized by the foam capacity, stability and firmness. In addition, the hydrophobicity in the protein solutions was assessed as a measure for the physical behaviour and ability of proteins to adsorb at the air–water interface. The individual egg white proteins and whey proteins each showed the best foaming properties at pH 5 and pH 9, respectively. At pH 9 a synergism was observed in the capacity and stability of the foams from EWP/WP-mixtures. This effect appears to be caused by the electrostatic interactions between egg white and whey proteins which occur in the bulk solution after the pH adjustment prior to the foaming. In contrast, at pH 5 no positive influence of foaming the components in a mixture as well as no indication of intermolecular interactions was found. At pH value near the pI of ovalbumin the protein interactions occur when the proteins have adsorbed at the air–water interface. The protein systems foamed at pH 7 showed intermediate foamability compared to the values obtained at alkaline and acidic pH.