ISOFLAVONE RICH PROTEIN ISOLATE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING

摘要

A process for providing an isoflavone rich protein isolate is provided, alon g with the isoflavone rich protein isolate produced thereby. A vegetable material containing protein and at least one isoflavone compound is extracted with an aqueous extractant having a pH above the isoelectric point of the protein, and preferably an alkaline pH. The protein and isoflavones are extracted into the extractant, and the extractan t containing the protein and isoflavones is separated from insoluble vegetable protein materials to form a protein extract. The pH of the protein extract is adjusted to about the isoelectric point of the protein to precipitate the protein. The extract containing the precipitated protein is cooled to a temperature of from 30.degree.F to 90.degree.F, and then the protein is separated from the extract. Washing of the separated protein is avoided, or, is conducted with minimum amounts of water. The cool separation temperatures and the low wash conditio ns unexpectedly significantly increase the concentration of isoflavones recover ed in the separated protein.