Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41606017›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2026

Enhancing the techno-functional properties of Quinoa protein isolate through cold plasma treatment: a comprehensive study on pH effects.

Leili Yousefi, Akram Arianfar, Elham Mahdian, Ali Rafe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Antimicrobial Effect of Silver Nanoparticles Capped withNanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Leili YousefiDepartment of Food Science and Technology , Qu.C, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran.
Akram ArianfarDepartment of Food Science and Technology , Qu.C, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran. ak.arianfar@iau.ac.ir.
Elham MahdianDepartment of Food Science and Technology , Qu.C, Islamic Azad University, Quchan, Iran.
Ali RafeDepartment of Food Physics , Research Institute of Food Science and Technology (RIFST) , Mashhad, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study explores the enhancement of functionality in quinoa protein isolate (QPI) through Vacuum-cold plasma (VCP) treatment across varying pH levels (2.0-10.0). Quinoa, a gluten-free pseudocereal, is recognized for its high-quality protein content (12-23%) and favorable amino acid profile. However, its further application in food products is limited by challenges related to solubility and functional properties. Our findings revealed that VCP treatment significantly improves the solubility, dispersibility, and techno-functional properties of QPI. Specifically, solubility increased from about 4% (untreated) to 72% at alkaline pH, with dispersibility rising from 25% to 54%. Techno-functional properties exhibited enhancement, including water holding capacity (2.8-5.9%) and oil holding capacity (2.3-3.2%) at pH 10.0. Emulsifying activity index (EAI) increased to 9.24 m²/g while emulsion stability index (ESI) reached 71.6 min at acidic conditions (pH 2.0). Furthermore, the foaming capacity (FC) improved from 43.75% to 78.54% and foaming stability (FS) ranged from 8.45% to 89.65%. Additionally, particle size analysis demonstrated that VCP reduced aggregate sizes, resulting in greater surface area and hydrophilicity, thus enhancing WHC and OHC. Zeta potential indicated increased electrostatic repulsion following plasma treatment, correlating with improved emulsion stability. FTIR analysis confirmed structural alterations in QPI, highlighting increased hydrogen bonding contributing to enhanced functional properties. Overall, this research substantiates the potential of VCP as a non-thermal processing method to improve the quality and functionality of plant-based proteins, making quinoa protein a viable ingredient for various food applications catering to growing dietary preferences. Future studies should focus on optimizing VCP conditions to maximize these benefits while maintaining protein integrity.

Indexed as

Chenopodium quinoaPlant ProteinsPlasma GasesAmino AcidsEmulsionsFood, ProcessedHydrogen-Ion ConcentrationSolubilityAmino AcidsEmulsionsPlant ProteinsPlasma GasesAggregationCold plasmaFunctional propertiesHydrophobicityMorphologyQPI

Identifiers

PMID41606017
PMCPMC12913992

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.