The main function of a quality assurance (QA) team in software development is to ensure that products are developed to the highest standards of quality before release. This involves designing and executing testing protocols to identify bugs, inconsistencies, and defects in the software. QA teams are responsible for verifying that the software meets both functional and non-functional requirements. Additionally, they help in maintaining a focus on customer satisfaction by ensuring that the product is reliable, user-friendly, and free of errors upon deployment.