Gliadin prepared by several different methods had the same nitrogen content and distribution. The critical peptization temperature (C.P.T.) in 60% alcohol and viscosity in 30% urea-buffer solutions, however, showed considerable variation, preparations of high C.P.T. (low solubility) being more viscous. This variation in the physical properties is explained by fractionation or denaturation incidental to the method of preparation.Gluten precipitated from 30% urea solutions at salt concentrations varying from 0.1 to 0.5 of saturation, yielded fractions that varied continuously in their gliadin and glutenin content, as judged from their percentage of arginine nitrogen.Gluten dispersed in buffered 30% urea solutions showed no change in viscosity during 101 hr. after the gluten was completely dispersed. A variation of hydrogen ion concentration between pH 6.0 and 6.95 had little effect on its viscosity. Heating at 70 °C. caused a marked decrease in the viscosity of this dispersion during the first hour. When gliadin dispersions are heated as above only samples having a high initial viscosity and C.P.T. become less viscous. Heating gliadin of natural moisture content (12 to 14%) at 70 °C. for varying periods of time did not change significantly its subsequent C.P.T. and viscosity in 60% alcohol. More severe heat treatments at higher moisture contents rendered the gliadin insoluble in 60% alcohol. Dilute alcoholic extracts of heated flours contained less protein than those of unheated controls. However, the C.P.T. of the former was lower than that of the latter. It is concluded from these experiments that when the gluten proteins are subjected to elevated temperatures, the glutenin fraction is first affected, next the gliadin fractions of low solubility, and finally, under severe conditions, all of the gliadin is denatured.
Gliadin Sequestration as a Novel Therapy for Celiac Disease: A Prospective Application for Polyphenols
