Proteins

Proteins are a large biomolecule made up of amino acids that are essential for life and play a wide range of critical roles in biological systems. while proteins are not typically present in pure water, they can be found in various water-based biological environments, such as living organisms, cells, and bodily fluids, which serve as enzymes that catalyse chemical reactions, structural elements in cells and tissues, transporters of molecules, antibodies in the immune system and more. Many forms of proteins are water-soluble, meaning they can dissolve and function effectively in aqueous environments, often referred to as the “universal solvent” because it can solvate and interact with polar and charged amino acids residues in proteins. Proteins are an essential part of human diet and are commonly found in various food and beverage products and the quality and nutritional valve of proteins in food are of interest to the food industry and nutritionists. Proteins interactions with water activity (aw) is a measure of the amount of water available for chemical reactions and microbial growth in a substance which can affect the stability and shelf life of protein-containing products, including food and pharmaceuticals.