Structure and functional properties of rice protein–dextran conjugates prepared by the Maillard reaction

Summary Dextran was grafted on to rice protein (RP) by the wet‐heating Maillard reaction, and the structure and functional properties of the rice protein–dextran conjugates (RPDCs) were investigated. The RPDCs obtained by the Maillard reaction exhibited superior functionality compared with original RP. The solubility, emulsifying activity index, emulsifying stability index, foaming activity index and foaming stability of the RPDCs increased by factors of 7.50, 1.79, 2.20, 1.69 and 2.01, respectively, compared to original RP. The molecular weight, particle size distribution, surface hydrophobicity, secondary structures, amino acid compositions and chemical bonds of RPDCs were also characterised. The structure–function relationship was preliminary discussed, and the relationship suggests that the improvements in the functional properties were closely related to structural changes.