AbstractBACKGROUND: Defatted peanut meal, a protein‐rich by‐product from the oil extraction industry, is underutilised owing to its inferior functional properties. In this study, transglutaminase (TGase) crosslinking and proteolysis were used to improve the emulsifying properties of peanut protein isolate (PPI) extracted from the meal. PPI and PPI hydrolysate (PPIH) were conjugated separately with fish (Decapterus maruadsi) protein hydrolysate (DPH), catalysed by TGase to obtain improvements in the emulsifying properties.RESULTS: Analyses by electrophoresis and high‐performance liquid chromatography indicated that polymers were formed in all TGase‐treated samples. In emulsions of PPIH, PPI‐DPH and PPIH‐DPH the volume/surface average particle diameter (d32), creaming and instability phenomenon were decreased and the zeta‐potential was increased after TGase treatment, showing improved emulsifying activity and emulsion stability. In the case of PPI, TGase treatment had no effect on the emulsifying activity, but the emulsion stability of TGase‐treated PPI was improved.CONCLUSION: The study showed that TGase crosslinking and proteolysis could improve the emulsifying properties of PPI, while proteolysis followed by TGase crosslinking proved more efficient. The emulsifying properties of the heterologous protein systems of PPI‐DPH and PPIH‐DPH were also improved by TGase treatment. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry