Soybean processing

Abstract

Methods are provided for forming soy germ concentrate in a soybean processing operation that produces soy bean oil and soybean meal.

1 . A soybean meal having a statistically significant reduction in isoflavone content compared to a meal prepared without extracting any germ fraction.  
   
   
       2 . The soybean meal of  claim 1 , wherein the mass percent isoflavone content of the soybean meal is 2-30 percent lower than that of the meal prepared without extracting any germ fraction.  
   
   
       3 . A crude soybean oil having a sterol content 2-30 percent lower than oil prepared without extracting any germ fraction.  
   
   
       4 . A soy germ concentrate having a sterol content of from about 1.6 to 3.0 weight percent.  
   
   
       5 . The soy germ concentrate of  claim 4  wherein the sterol content is from about 1.8 to 2.5 weight percent.  
   
   
       6 . The soy germ concentrate of  claim 4  having an isoflavone content of from about 2.4 to 3.0.  
   
   
       7 . A soy germ concentrate having an isoflavone content of from about 2.4 to 3.0.  
   
   
       8 . The soy germ concentrate of  claim 7  wherein the isoflavone content is from about 2.6 to 2.9.  
   
   
       9 . The soy germ concentrate of  claim 7  comprising at least 75% soy germ.  
   
   
       10 .- 36 . (canceled)  
   
   
       37 . A manufacturing plant for processing soybeans, including a production line comprising, in series: 
 (a) a first cracking machine configured to produce a first soybean product containing germ, broken meats and hulls;    (b) a separation device configured to separate at least a portion of the germ from the first soybean product to form a soy germ concentrate and a second soybean product;    (c) a second cracking machine, configured to further crack the second soybean product to form a third soybean product.    
   
   
       38 . The manufacturing plant of  claim 39  further comprising, after the second cracking machine, (d) a dehulling machine for separating at least a portion of the hulls from the third soybean product.  
   
   
       39 . The manufacturing plant of  claim 37  further comprising, after the dehulling machine, (e) a flaking machine, and (f) a solvent extraction machine.  
   
   
       40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A soy germ concentrate having a sterol content of from about 1.6 to 3.0 weight percent and containing at least 40% soy germ.  
   
   
       42 . The soy germ concentrate of  claim 41  wherein the concentrate contains from about 40 to 75% soy germ.  
   
   
       43 . A solvent extracted soybean meal containing less than 1.5% soy germ.  
   
   
       44 . A toasted soy germ meal having a total isoflavone content of greater than 2.5%.