Soy protein is commonly made from defatted and de-hulled soybean meal. The protein concentration is attained through removing majority of the soluble and non-protein compounds. The compounds are primarily soluble carbohydrates and several minerals and nitrogenous substances. Due to the process, majority of the unwanted beany flavor and oligocharides are removed. The soy protein concentrates typically have a very bland taste.
The Production Process
Three methods are being used for the production of soy protein concentrate, namely the acid wash process, the aqueous alcohol wash process and the water wash process that has heat denaturation.
These methods are going to yield the soy protein concentrate that has the same composition: 70% protein, 20% carbohydrates, 6% ash and around 1% oil. The protein’s solubility can also differ between the various extraction processes. A single ton of the defatted soybean flakes are going to give around 750 kilogram of soybean protein concentrate.
The Acid Wash Process
A soybean protein can become more insoluble in the water if the pH has been adjusted to 4.2. Due to the low pH, it is made more possible to dissolve the sugars with no need to use any special solvents. The process is way much safer because of the absence of the flammable solvents. Consequently, it can be more difficult to get rid of the water from soy protein. Majority of the water can be removed with the rotary vacuum centrifuges or filters. The solids that will be obtained are going to be wet milled before being spray dried.
The Aqueous Alcohol Wash Process
Through this process, the sugars are going to be dissolved with the alcohols namely isopropyl, ethanol or methanol alcohol in one batch or continuous process. The alcohols will not dissolve the soy proteins. The defatted soy flakes can be used as the raw material. Following the extraction of sugars, the alcohol will be recovered and then re-used. The recovery can be attained through rectification and evaporation inside a distillation column. Lastly, the final flakes will be dried using hot air before they are milled.
The Water Extraction Process That has Heat Denaturation
In this particular process, the soy proteins of the defatted soy meal will be first rendered as insoluble by the thermal denaturation. Then, the meal will be heat treated before being extracted using hot water for removing the sugars. This process is just the same to the process of acid-wash.
The process that are followed for the production of soy protein are simple but it is through these processes that you will be able to get all the wonderful benefits that soy protein has to offer. Today, you can easily find soy protein in many stores or you can also order it from the most reliable manufacturer that is known for following the safest and most effective procedures during the process of production. If you really want to get the most out of soy protein, make sure that you only get it from the one that you can fully trust.
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