FTIR spectroscopic characterization of soy proteins obtained through AOT reverse micelles

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method was used to study the conformations of soy protein obtained through aqueous solution and bis(2-ethylhexyl) sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelle extraction. The results showed that there were changes in signal intensity and/or position of IR bands at 4000–400 cm−1 when the soy proteins were separated by two extraction methods. The FTIR spectral changes were subsequently assessed using the second derivative spectroscopy in the amide I region (1700–1600 cm−1). The contents of α-helix, β-sheet, turn and irregular conformations for soy proteins using aqueous solution extraction were 11.6%, 32.8%, 44.3% and 11.3%, respectively; while using AOT reverse micelle extraction 13.1%, 41.6%, 32.5% and 12.9%, respectively. The amount change of these structures might affect functional properties of soy proteins.