Method for isolation of protein from plant material

Abstract

The present invention concerns a process wherein native and functional protein isolates can be successfully obtained from plant material such as oilseeds, legumes and lentils. This can be achieved by a proper pre-treatment of the plant material, followed by a method of extracting proteins under mild and non-destructive conditions using an aqueous solvent, followed by fractionation, concentration and further purification using a novel combination of GRAS organic solvents.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A protein isolate comprising at least 70 wt % of native plant-based protein based on dry matter, less than 1 wt % carbohydrates, less than 0.2 wt % phenolic compounds and no organic solvents or mineral solvents having 6 or more carbon atoms. 
     
     
         30 . The protein isolate according to  claim 29 , comprising less than 2 wt % of fats, oils and lipids, based on dry matter. 
     
     
         31 . The protein isolate according to  claim 30  comprising less than 1.5 wt % of fats, oils and lipids, based on dry matter. 
     
     
         32 . The protein isolate according to  claim 30  comprising less than 1 wt % of fats, oils and lipids, based on dry matter. 
     
     
         33 . The protein isolate according to  claim 29  comprising at least 95 wt % of plant-based protein based on dry matter. 
     
     
         34 . The protein isolate according to  claim 29  comprising nitrogen solubility (NS) of more than 75%. 
     
     
         35 . The protein isolate according to  claim 29  comprising and an emulsion forming capacity expressed as Emulsion Activity Index (EAI) of more than 20 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         36 . The protein isolate according to  claim 29 , wherein the native plant-based protein is native rapeseed protein. 
     
     
         37 . The protein isolate according to  claim 37 , wherein the main protein component of the native rapeseed protein is a globulin corresponding to the subunit of native cruciferin protein. 
     
     
         38 . The protein isolate according to  claim 37 , wherein glutamic acid and glutamine constitute together more than 20% of total amino acid composition of the protein isolate.