Latest Research from a Highly Cited Scholar: The Texture Code of High-Protein Puffed Snacks | International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

“As healthy eating becomes a trend, can high-protein snacks break free from the curse of being 'unpalatable'?” “What kind of food science revolution lies behind the crispy texture of an extruded snack?” These questions are not only about our daily taste experiences but also point to the profound connection between future food industry innovation and consumer demands.

Dr. Akinbode A. Adedeji and his team from the University of Kentucky, in their paper “Physical and Textural Properties of Transglutaminase Treated Protein-enriched Extruded Snacks” published in the International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, unveil the scientific insights into how the bio-enzyme technology—transglutaminase (TGase)—can solve the texture challenges of high-protein snacks.

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The Dilemma of Protein Snacks: The "Paradox" of Health and Taste

With the rising consumer demand for health, the high-protein snack market is rapidly expanding. However, an industry pain point persists: adding protein often sacrifices the appealing crispy and fluffy texture of snacks. The incorporation of protein interferes with the starch-based matrix, making products harder and chewier, as if drawing a line between deliciousness and health. How to enhance nutrition while preserving the irresistible "crunch" has become a texture puzzle that food scientists urgently need to solve.

TGase: The "Biological Weaver" Reshaping Food Structure

Traditional improvement methods often rely on chemical additives or complex physical processes. The emergence of TGase offers a green and precise biological solution. As a natural catalyst, TGase can form strong covalent bonds between protein molecules, akin to a microscopic "weaver" that re-crosslinks and reinforces the protein network.

In this study, Dr. Adedeji’s team systematically investigated the effects of TGase treatment on the textural properties of high-protein extruded snacks. The research found that with proper TGase treatment, the snacks' hardness was optimized, crispiness significantly improved, and product density reduced, making them lighter and fluffier. Data indicate that by strengthening the protein network, TGase effectively counteracts the negative impact of protein addition on the starch structure, rebuilding the porous microstructure that supports crispiness at the molecular level. This is not merely a formula adjustment but a precise "structural engineering" at the molecular scale.

From Lab to Production Line: The Scientific Leap in Food Innovation

The value of this study lies in its connection between basic science and industrial application. It demonstrates that by precisely controlling the dosage of TGase, reaction conditions, and raw material ratios, food engineers can "program" and design the ideal snack texture. This provides a solid theoretical basis and process blueprint for developing the next generation of clean-label products that meet high-protein nutritional claims while delivering an ultimate sensory experience.

Future Outlook: Sustainable Innovation on the Tip of the Tongue

The application of TGase extends far beyond extruded snacks. It represents a trend: leveraging biotechnology to create sustainable future foods in a more natural and efficient way. From improving the texture of plant-based meat to enhancing the richness of low-fat dairy products, this enzyme-catalyzed "texture revolution" is quietly taking place across the food industry. It shows us that science and deliciousness are not mutually exclusive—technological innovation is the bridge to a healthier and more enjoyable eating experience.

“The highest pursuit of food science is to let health taste like happiness.”

On the path to achieving both nutrition and flavor, biological tools like transglutaminase are opening a window full of possibilities for us. It reminds us that behind every pleasurable chew shines the subtle light of human ingenuity working in harmony with nature.

So, for you, what matters more in an ideal healthy snack: the nutritional data, or the stunning taste of the first bite?

The study was published in International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture

https://www.hillpublisher.com/ArticleDetails/6008

How to cite this paper

Akinbode A. Adedeji, Felix Akharume, Youling L. Xiong. (2025) Physical and Textural Properties of Transglutaminase Treated Protein-enriched Extruded Snacks. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 9(4), 357-367.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.12.012

Scholar Introduction

Akinbode A. Adedeji

Associate Professor, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, USA

Dr. Akinbode A. Adedeji is an Associate Professor of Food Process Engineering in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky. He earned his Ph.D. in Bioresource Engineering from McGill University, Canada (2010), an M.Sc. in Food Technology from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (2000), and a B.Tech. (Hons, cum laude) in Food Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria (1997). He also holds an MBA from the University of Kentucky (2022). Dr. Adedeji's research applies engineering principles to develop processes and systems that add value to agricultural products and ensure food safety across the supply chain. His work encompasses value addition through extrusion and biochemical conversion, non-thermal food safety technologies, non-destructive quality evaluation using hyperspectral imaging and acoustic emission, ultrasonication for bioactive extraction, and post-harvest loss reduction for developing countries. His 2021 seminal review, "Modification of Plant Proteins for Improved Functionality: A Review," published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (Impact Factor: 12.0), has amassed over 750 citations, making it the most cited paper across all journals of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) that year—a distinction that earned him the prestigious IFT Tanner Award. This work has become a foundational reference for researchers and industry professionals worldwide, coinciding with and helping to shape the global surge in plant-based protein innovation. His research on hyperspectral imaging for meat adulterant detection and deep-fat frying mass transfer kinetics is similarly impactful, each exceeding 150 citations. His work on non-destructive sensing and machine learning applications in food quality has been adopted as a benchmark in food authentication studies, influencing regulatory frameworks and industrial practices. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to food engineering, Dr. Adedeji received the John Clark Award from the Canadian Society of Bioengineering in 2021 and the MG-CAFE Prestigious Research Paper Award in 2022. He serves as a guest editor for special issues on innovative food processing technologies and is frequently invited to speak at international conferences. His current research portfolio includes AI-driven food quality evaluation, proso millet value addition, bourbon spent grain valorization, and sustainable drying solutions for sub-Saharan Africa—projects that reflect his commitment to translating scientific discovery into practical solutions addressing global food security and sustainability challenges.

Screenshot of Akinbode A. Adedeji 's Scopus Author Profile

The author has established broad international academic recognition, as reflected by the following scholarly metrics:

• Google Scholar: 4301 citations, h-index of 34, and an i10-index of 67.
• Scopus: 90 indexed publications, 2852 citations, and an h-index of 28.

These consistently strong citation metrics demonstrate the author's sustained research impact, long-term scholarly contributions, and broad recognition within the international scientific community.

He has published extensively in leading international peer-reviewed journals and has engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers from multiple countries in the fields of agronomy, crop science, and plant physiology. His research achievements have become important references in arid agriculture, wheat cultivation, plant nutrition, and crop physiological regulation. Through sustained research efforts and international academic collaboration, he has made significant contributions to advancing agricultural science and promoting global research on food security and sustainable agricultural production.