Production of hydrogel enriched with pomegranate protein bioactive peptides

In this thesis, the functional properties of bioactive peptides (BAP) obtained from pomegranate seed protein and carob gum have been improved, and the potential for their use in the production of biologically active, mechanically resistant hydrogels has been investigated. A fat-free pomegranate seed pomace was obtained using a laboratory-scale cold pressing machine. Protein extraction from pomegranate seeds was carried out using the isoelectric point-based protein precipitation method. Protein pellets were dried by freeze-drying method, resulting in pomegranate seed protein isolates. Extraction yield, dry matter, and protein content analyses were performed as pomegranate seed protein analyses. Bioactive peptide production was achieved by phase separation using pepsin and alcalase enzymes, resulting in the acquisition of bioactive peptides. The produced bioactive peptides were mixed with carob gum at specific concentrations to produce 5 different hydrogels. Hydrogels with different ratios of bioactive peptides (%0, %1, %5, %7.5, %10) were obtained by mixing with a constant ratio of carob gum. Samples with a bioactive peptide concentration of %0 were considered as control trials. Color analyses, physicochemical analyses, texture analysis, FTIR spectra, SEM images and TGA analysis, were conducted on the produced hydrogels. According to the results obtained, interactions between bioactive peptides and carob gum were determined, and hydrogels containing %7.5 bioactive peptides exhibited the most advanced properties in terms of rheological characteristics. Differences were identified among the hydrogels in terms of mechanical strength, with hydrogels containing %7.5 bioactive peptides showing higher strengths. Hydrogel samples exhibited variations in functional properties, and the release characteristics in the gastrointestinal system were also examined