Optimization of Extraction Process and Analysis of Physicochemical Properties of Camellia Chekiangoleosa Flower Protein

This study aims to promote the optimization of the extraction process of Camellia chekiangoleosa flower protein (CCFP) , clarify the structural and functional characteristics of the protein, thereby expanding its potential applications. Taking flowers of C. chekiangoleosa as raw materials, protein was extracted by the alkaline extraction and acid precipitation method. Based on single-factor experiments, the extraction process parameters were optimized by response surface methodology(RSM), and the structural and functional properties of CCFP were determined by a series of advanced analytical instruments including high-performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） and Fluorescence spectroscopy （FS）.The results showed that the optimal extraction conditions for C. chekiangoleosa flower protein were a solid-liquid ratio of 1∶25 (w/v), pH 9.0, an extraction temperature of 58 ℃ and an extraction time of 2.8 h, yielding a protein extraction rate of 11.21%. Structural analysis revealed that the surface hydrophobicity of this protein was (152.20 ± 0.11), the sulfhydryl content was (0.29 ± 0.17) µmol·g⁻¹, and the disulfide bond content was (0.27 ± 0.15) µmol·g⁻¹; The total amino acid content was (68.19 ± 0.28) g·(100 g)⁻¹ with essential amino acids accounting for 40.93%. Analysis on functional characteristics revealed that the foaming capacity and the foaming stability of C. chekiangoleosa flower protein were 64.64% and 51.44%, respectively; the emulsifying activity and emulsifying stability were 61.37 m²·g⁻¹ and 58.63%, respectively; and the water-holding capacity and oil-holding capacity were 2.17 g·g⁻¹ and 6.64 g·g⁻¹, respectively, showing certain advantages compared with commercial proteins. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of CCFP in the daily chemical industry.