Effects of high-intensity pulsed electric fields on the iron-binding capacity of lactoferrin

To investigate the influence of high-intensity Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) on the functional property of bioactive protein, and to provide theoretical basis for application of this new cold sterilization technology, the effect of PEF on the iron-binding capacity of Lactoferrin (LF) was investigated. The iron-binding capacity of LF was determined by spectrophotometry method. The results indicated that the iron-binding capacity generally decreased with the increase of electric field strength, treatment time and pulse width. The iron-binding capacity decreased by 57% or 48% after PEF treatment at 35 kV/cm or 4 μs, and decreased with the increase of treatment time. Whereas it increased by 3.8 times or 1.2 times at 256 pulse amount or 55℃, respectively. It could be concluded that PEF treatment had positive or negative effect on the functional properties of bioactive protein. It indicates that the functional property of bioactive protein can be increased by reasonable PEF treatment.