Low‐Intensity Pulsed Electric Field Treatment of Alphitobius diaperinus Protein Isolates: Effects on Composite Hydrogel Properties

Composite hydrogels derived from sustainable protein sources offer a promising approach for developing novel functional biomaterials. This study investigated the effect of low‐intensity pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment on selected physicochemical and functional characteristics of Alphitobius diaperinus protein isolates and evaluated the properties of the resulting physically crosslinked composite hydrogels produced by cold gelation. Protein isolates were subjected to two PEF conditions (1.2 and 2.0 kV·cm ⁻¹ ) before gel formation induced by glucono‐δ‐lactone. Selected protein characteristics were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), while rheological, mechanical, hydration (water‐holding and swelling capacities), and colour properties of the resulting hydrogels and aerogels were characterized. PEF treatment did not significantly affect protein denaturation temperature (∼102°C–103°C) but reduced denaturation enthalpy, consistent with changes in the thermal behaviour of the protein isolates. Qualitative differences were observed in the electrophoretic profiles of PEF‐treated samples compared with the control, including a less pronounced band around 250 kDa and additional low‐molecular‐weight fractions. Hydrogels prepared with PEF‐treated proteins exhibited higher storage moduli and lower tan δ values than the control, indicating enhanced elastic behaviour. Mechanical strength increased significantly, reaching 2.09 N in samples treated at 2.0 kV·cm ⁻¹ . Hydration functionality was also enhanced, as reflected by increases in water‐holding capacity (93.56%–96.99%) and swelling capacity (42.25–55.54 g·g ⁻¹ ). Colour parameters were affected in both hydrogels and aerogels. Overall, PEF treatment influenced selected physicochemical characteristics of A. diaperinus protein isolates and the functional properties of the resulting composite hydrogels under the conditions evaluated.