Proteins and Enzymes

For protein structure, see biochem notes attached

Amino Acid Chart (For your Convenience)

Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that catalyse reaction be lowering the activation energy \(\Delta G_{act}\). The do this by creating conformational changes in the reactants themselves and are thus not consumed in the process. Most enzymes catalyse reactions that bring together multiple reagents in the one active site

Browning

Browning occurs in two primary ways, enzymatic and non-enzymatic:

Enzymatic Browning

Is an enzyme (polyphenol oxidases [PPOs]) catalysed oxidation process that converts polyphenols (benzene rings with multiple \(\ce{-OH}\) substituents) into quinones that will further polymerise into melanin:

Since these process are enzymatically driven, they are sensitive to the operating conditions of the enzymes involved. for PPOs, these tend to be:

• pH - between 4.0 and 8.0 (apple is 4.5-5.0)
• Temperature ranges vary, though PPOs are typically denatured after 5 mins at 80\(^\circ\)C

Enzymatic browning is incredibly problematic for the value of agricultural products, however is vital for the flavour production of coffee and dried fruits.

Non-Enzymatic Browning

happens through two main pathways:

Caramelisation

Is the pyrolysis of sugars into various smaller, oxygen containing hydrocarbons

Maillard Reaction

Occurs between reducing sugars and amino acids, resulting in a reaction pathway that will degrade both int smaller organic compounds. Since the composition of the amino acids going in will be varied, the flavour of the products will vary accordingly.