Corn protein product having decreased free sulfite levels and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

Described herein is a corn protein product comprising greater than about 20% corn protein on a dry weight basis and a free sulfite concentration of less than 150 ppm on an as-is basis. Also disclosed herein is a method to obtain this corn protein product including the steps of providing a protein-rich stream derived from a wet corn milling operation, wherein the protein-rich stream comprises greater than 20% corn protein on a dry weight basis, and treating the protein-rich stream with an oxidant, preferably hydrogen peroxide.

1 . A corn protein product, comprising:
 (a) greater than about 20% corn protein on a dry weight basis; and   (b) a free sulfite concentration of less than 150 ppm on an as-is basis, wherein the source of the corn protein is corn protein isolate.   
     
     
         2 . The product of  claim 1 , comprising a free sulfite concentration of less than 75 ppm on an as-is basis. 
     
     
         3 . The product of  claim 1 , comprising a free sulfite concentration of less than 40 ppm on an as-is basis. 
     
     
         4 . The product of  claim 1 , comprising a free sulfite concentration of less than 10 ppm on an as-is basis. 
     
     
         5 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the corn protein is between about 55% and 95% on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         6 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the corn protein is between about 90% and 98% on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         7 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The product of  claim 1 , comprising a digestible carbohydrate content less than 35% on a dry weight basis. 
     
     
         12 . The product of  claim 1 , wherein the corn protein product is for human and animal consumption. 
     
     
         13 - 38 . (canceled)