Pectin-Protein Complexes: A Design-Oriented Platform for Tailoring Food Texture Modification.

Abstract

Pectin-protein complexes have emerged as promising functional ingredients in texture-modified foods (TMF) due to their multifunctional roles in gelation, emulsification, and water retention. These properties enable the design of customized textures for applications such as dysphagia-friendly products, plant-based meat analogs, and 3D food printing. However, their broader utilization remains limited by an incomplete understanding of formation mechanisms, regulatory factors, and challenges related to stability and industrial scalability. This review summarizes the formation mechanisms of pectin-protein complexes, including phase behavior, preparation approaches, interaction forces, and key factors influencing texture development. Their functional properties and applications in five representative areas (dysphagia-oriented foods, 3D printing structures, encapsulation systems, plant-based analogs, and fat replacers) are discussed. Recent advances highlighting structure-function relationships between molecular interactions and macroscopic textural properties are critically evaluated, along with the translational gap between fundamental research and scalable production. The formation of pectin-protein complexes is mainly governed by intermolecular forces such as electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and covalent cross-linking. These interactions can be regulated by adjusting pH, ionic strength, temperature, enzymatic treatment, and processing conditions, thereby controlling supramolecular structure, stability, and sensory attributes. Although pectin-protein complexes offer significant potential for texture engineering, industrial application is hindered by raw material variability, limited processing control, and economic considerations. Future research should focus on clarifying molecular mechanisms, establishing selection criteria for pectin, and developing sustainable extraction strategies to facilitate large-scale implementation.