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Plant-based protein foods as suitable alternative protein sources have recently received increased global interest. The scientific community is exploring effective modification approaches to enhance the functionality of plant-based proteins for expanded utilization. Deamidation has shown great potential for structural modifications and improving the processing efficiency of proteins. In this review, we firstly revisit the enzyme reaction mechanism of protein-glutaminase and its fundamental differences from other enzymatic methods for the deamidation of proteins. Then, the latest advances regarding the suitability of protein-glutaminase modifications for improving the functional properties (e.g., solubility, emulsifying and foaming properties, flavor, and reduction in allergenicity) of plant-based proteins are overviewed. Finally, we address the potential prospect associated with the use of protein-glutaminase in plant-based protein foods, such as meat, dairy, and egg alternatives. This review provides a novel perspective for the design of plant-based protein foods by using protein-glutaminase in order to match animal counterparts in taste and texture, and to fuel widespread adoption.

Currently, the demand for healthy consumption and the use of alternatives to dairy proteins for the development of foods with good nutritional value are growing. Quinoa has received much attention because it contains a high content of proteins, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, dietary fibers, and bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, this content and the bioavailability of specific compounds of interest are related to the genotype, the agri‐environmental conditions, and management practices where quinoa is grown and postharvest management. This article aimed to analyze the research trends for three knowledge areas: quinoa plant breeding for nutraceutical properties, plant–soil relations focused on abiotic stresses, and postharvest and value‐added transformation activities. To this end, a specific methodological design based on bibliometrics and scientometrics methods was used. Through these analyses based on publications' keywords, titles, s, and conclusions sections, for each knowledge area, the key research trends (scope and main topics), the classification of trends based on their development and relevance degree, and the core of knowledge were established. The trends comprise the current state of research. Finally, analyzing the conclusions, recommendations, and future research sections of key publications, a strong correlation among plant breeding research to obtain varieties with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses, nutritional and functional compounds of interest for food safety, and the development of products with higher added value established interest in further research on the potential bioactivity of quinoa and the verification of health benefits to humans. Functional food research has diversified product, process, and packing design to enhance nutritional, organoleptic, and healthy characteristics. Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) has been focused on promoting nutritional, health, cosmetic, and animal feed uses based on bioactive compound contents. The technological development of quinoa crops includes genetic enhancement methods, soil–plant relations improvement, and postharvesting and value‐added processes. Quinoa can be used as a valuable ingredient in the formulation of foods with value added and improved nutritional characteristics with higher contents of all essential amino acids, especially lysine. Quinoa crops contribute to bioeconomy trends in agriculture and food sector in Latin‐American countries.

Protein is one of the essential major nutrients required for the cell functioning in human body. Complete proteins, which are usually found in animal‐based proteins, despite of having high biovailability also cause adverse effect on the environment and increased the risk of diet‐related chronic diseases. Recent years have witnessed enhanced awareness about the health benefits of substituting animal‐based proteins with plant‐based proteins, especially in developed countries. Nitrogen‐fixing grain legumes are considered important sources of protein in many developing countries as they are generally cheaper than meat or cereals. Extensive research has been conducted on several underutilized legumes with similar nutritional properties to soybean; one of these legumes is velvet beans (Mucuna pruriens). Though it is rich in protein (27%), complementary amino acid pattern to that of cereal grains exerts health beneficial properties, including antiparkinson, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, it is limited for human consumption due to the presence of antinutrients. This review provides insight into the potential use of this underutilized legume in resolving the global protein crisis and address food insecurity issues. Additionally, the review focuses on various processing conditions necessary to utilize velvet bean for the development of food products and by‐products like protein isolate, concentrate, flour and their functional properties, and toxicological viewpoint. This current might help in driving future research and applications in velvet bean as a sustainable, plant‐based protein source for human foods along with the critical research areas for their improvement.

There is a pressing need for healthy diets guided by environmental and nutritional targets. Plant‐based proteins have emerged as a recent and rapidly growing trend in response to the challenge of sustainable and healthy food systems. While plant‐based protein foods are widely promoted as sustainable alternatives, shifting beliefs and attitudes about conventional protein sources present an ongoing challenge. The study examined Canadians' intentions to transition to plant‐based protein diets, partially or entirely. A nationally representative survey was conducted among Canadian consumers to achieve our research objective. The survey was administered online using the Qualtrics platform by a market research firm and yielded valid responses from over 1800 participants. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) constructs—attitudes, self‐efficacy, and perceived availability—explained only 12% of the variation in intentions toward plant‐based protein foods, while sustainability and ethical concerns accounted for 10% of the variation in dietary patterns. Meat attachment negatively impacted changes in dietary patterns, explaining 11% of the intention variation. Additionally, individual past behavior accounted for 7% of intentions toward plant‐based proteins. Demographic factors, such as gender and education, strongly and positively predicted purchase intentions, while contextual factors, such as residing in rural neighborhoods and being from Atlantic Canada, showed a strong negative association with intentions toward plant‐based protein diets. The findings underscore the multifaceted nature of individuals' intentions toward plant‐based protein diets and emphasize the significance of considering cognitive, social, emotional, and past behavioral factors, alongside sustainability values and messaging, to transition to a more plant‐based protein diet. This approach should carefully balance individuals' emotional connection and the perception of meat as essential to their meals. Also, targeting interventions based on demographic characteristics, specifically gender, education, and residential neighborhood, can enhance changes in dietary protein sources. The findings contribute to the existing body of knowledge on consumer behavior and sustainable diets, guiding future research and policies informing the design of effective interventions to promote plant‐based protein consumption and dietary changes. The study examined Canadians' intentions to transition to plant‐based protein diets, drawing from primary data from a nationally representative sample of 1800 participants. The findings highlight that achieving the desired transition to sustainable protein diets requires a multifaceted approach that bolsters positive attitudes, self‐efficacy, and availability while emphasizing sustainability and ethical considerations. The insights contribute to understanding consumer behavior and sustainable diets, informing future research and policy interventions to promote plant‐based protein consumption and dietary shifts.

Dry pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a highly nutritious cool season food legume or pulse crop within the Fabaceae family that features high levels of protein (20%–25%), prebiotic carbohydrates, and a range of minerals and vitamins. Dry pea is cultivated globally in temperate climates and consumed as a whole food, snack, or protein powder. Dry pea is featured in plant‐based meat items such as the “beyond” branded plant‐based meats. Dry pea is an excellent candidate for plant‐based protein alternatives due to the high protein and low‐fat concentrations present in the mature seed, but improvements are still needed for more widespread use. Breeding efforts are ongoing to further improve dry pea proteins' quality, quantity, and digestibility through biofortification. Global dry pea germplasm contains a wide array of accessions that are vital for dry pea breeding efforts focused on developing cultivars enriched with the most bioavailable forms of plant‐based proteins. The objective of this review is to summarize prior research exploring the factors that contribute to the nutritional value of the dry pea—especially protein quality and quantity.

Overcoming environmental, food security, and growing global population challenges requires exploring sustainable protein production. Promisingly, agro‐industrial by‐products emerge as alternative sources. This study hypothesizes that processing methods can significantly improve the nutritional quality and functional properties of flaxseed meal (FSM) by reducing anti‐nutritional factors and enhancing protein digestibility. This study assessed the chemical and nutritional quality of FSM after oil extraction, focusing on its composition, anti‐nutritional factors, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), and amino acid score. Different processes and processing parameters were assessed based on an experimental design. A central composite design supported evaluating the impact of conventional heating, microwave, and ultrasound on the nutritional quality of this meal. Unprocessed FSM exhibited a protein content of 39% and an IVPD of 88%. Through processing, IVPD was elevated to 95% for the conventional heating, with 87.8°C, 37 min, and pH 8.0 as the best conditions. Protein solubility of the FSM significantly improved at pH 8 and 9 (up to 98%). Thermal processing proved effective in completely inactivating phytic acid, while ultrasound reduced trypsin inhibitory activity by 50%. Lysine was the first‐limiting amino acid (AAS  =  86%–90%) for all processes and parameters. Processing also enhanced the functional aspects, affirming that treated FSMs represent potential protein sources for the food industry due to their high nutritional quality and viable improvement due to processing. Due to its high protein content, flaxseed meal is a promising protein source. Food processing can enhance the protein quality and functional properties of flaxseed meal. Processed flaxseed meal presents low antinutritional factor concentrations, and Lysine is the first limiting amino acid for raw and processed flaxseed meals.

This study explored the effects of pH‐shifting over 0, 10, 20, and 30 min on the physicochemical characteristics of mung bean protein (MBP) isolates, identified as MBP0, MBP10, MBP20, and MBP30. The conformational features of vicilin‐type (8S), the primary component of MBP, were studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Our findings revealed the time‐dependent nature of pH‐shifting on protein flexibility, which caused changes in surface charges of MBP from 0 to 30 min. An increase in particle size, solubility, and more uniform distribution among all pH‐shifted samples were observed due to swelling. Smoother and flakier structures in pH‐shifted proteins were detected by scanning electron microscope. Molecular simulations at pH 12.0 revealed enhanced stability of vicilin with greater fluctuation of hydrophilic residues and increased flexibility, which correlated to the experimental results, highlighting vicilin's pivotal role in the flexibility and solubility of MBP during pH changes.

Traditional noodle samples (erişte) were supplemented with hull‐less barley and lentil flours as the source of β‐glucan and protein at different ratios and their cooking quality, phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and estimated GI values were evaluated. The estimated GI of control erişte produced from wheat flour was the highest (74.7), while GI of those supplemented with 15%, 30%, 45% barley or lentil flour were 68.7%, 66.0%, 61.2% and 67.5%, 63.8%, 60.6%, respectively. GI values of mixtures of barley and lentils flours (Mix‐1–4 samples) were lower (58.9–61.0). All noodles supplemented with barley and/or lentil flours had medium GI values. The erişte samples supplemented with 45% hull‐less barley flour and Mix erişte samples meet the requirements of FDA health claim (0.75 g β‐glucan per serving). Protein content of control sample was 16.30%, while those supplemented with lentil flour had higher protein contents (18.15%–22.36%). Hence, noodle samples supplemented with 30% and 45% lentil flour can be labeled as “high protein” and all other noodle samples can be labeled as “source of protein” according to EC Regulation because calories which can be received from proteins per serving are > 20% and > 12%, respectively. Significant increases were also observed in phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of erişte samples supplemented with barley/lentil flours. Supplementation of erişte with 15%–45% hull‐less barley or lentil flour increased phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, β‐glucan or protein levels, and lowered glycemic index (GI), shifting all samples from high‐ to medium‐GI. Samples with 45% barley flour met FDA β‐glucan health claims. Those with 30% and 45% lentil flour qualify as “high in protein,” while others qualify as “source of protein” under Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. These findings highlight potential of barley and lentils in enhancing functional properties of traditional foods.

Plant-based protein matrices can be used for the formulation of delivery systems of cinnamic acid. Pumpkin, pea and almond protein matrices were used for the formulation of dried complexes. The matrices were used in varying amounts (1%, 2%, 5% and 10%) whilst the amount of cinnamic acid was maintained constant. The obtained complexes were analyzed by HPLC, DSC and FTIR-ATR. The highest amounts of cinnamic acid were determined on complexes prepared by the lowest amounts of protein matrices, regardless of their type. The highest affinity for cinnamic acid adsorption was determined for the pumpkin protein matrix. DSC analysis revealed that adsorption of cinnamic acid caused an increase in the thermal stability of the almond protein matrix, while the other two matrices had the opposite behavior. The complexation of protein matrices and cinnamic acid was proven by recording the IR spectra. The obtained complexes could have potential applications in food products to achieve enrichment with cinnamic acid as well as proteins.

Societal Impact Statement To help save our planet, we need to shift to plant‐based protein food and enhance sustainable agricultural practices. Cultivation of legumes, including soybean, will be key because they produce protein‐rich beans without high applied fertilizer input. This complex challenge involves many stakeholders beyond the agricultural sector. In the ‘Soy in 1000 Gardens’ project, we engaged more than thousand citizens in a 6‐month gardening project aiming at facilitating sustainable soybean cultivation in Belgium. Our work shows that with the right approach, citizen science can provide insights to develop more sustainable agri‐food systems when integrated with fundamental and applied science. Summary The global food system faces numerous challenges in its pursuit of sustainability. Shifting to more plant‐based protein sources as well as transitioning to self‐reliant agri‐food systems is one way to meet these challenges. This transition requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders beyond the agricultural sector such as the citizens themselves. In this study, we employed a citizen science approach through the ‘Soy in 1000 Gardens’ project, which engaged more than 1000 citizen scientists in a 6‐month gardening project during which citizens not only observed plant growth but also executed plant growth measurements that meet scientific standards. We aimed at increasing the awareness about the power of soybean and its symbionts for sustainable plant protein production and at isolating efficient nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia to be used by local farmers to produce protein‐rich soybeans. The results suggest that the success of citizen science projects depends on the level of engagement and the provision of adequate support, among other factors. This study thus highlights the potential of citizen science to address complex challenges and contribute to more sustainable agri‐food systems when properly integrated. Unique in its scope, the project provided important insights into the drivers of participation, attrition and data quality. To help save our planet, we need to shift to plant‐based protein food and enhance sustainable agricultural practices. Cultivation of legumes, including soybean, will be key because they produce protein‐rich beans without high applied fertilizer input. This complex challenge involves many stakeholders beyond the agricultural sector. In the ‘Soy in 1000 Gardens’ project, we engaged more than thousand citizens in a 6‐month gardening project aiming at facilitating sustainable soybean cultivation in Belgium. Our work shows that with the right approach, citizen science can provide insights to develop more sustainable agri‐food systems when integrated with fundamental and applied science.