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EP-4739135-A1 - SUNFLOWER PROTEIN ISOLATE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION

EP4739135A1EP 4739135 A1EP4739135 A1EP 4739135A1EP-4739135-A1

Abstract

Provided herein are processes for producing a sunflower seed protein isolate (SFPI) from de-oiled sunflower seed flour that is economical and produces oil seed protein isolate that has unique composition and functionality. The process involves use of low temperatures, below where denaturation of proteins occurs, to produce a sunflower seed protein product with a protein content 80-98wt% (Nx6.25) on a dry basis and ≤3% oil while substantially maintaining the native form of the proteins in the flour.

Inventors

  • SASIDHARAN PILLAI, Prasanth Kumar
  • KUMAR, MANOJ

Assignees

  • LOUIS DREYFUS COMPANY PLANT PROTEINS LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240801

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A sunflower seed protein isolate extraction process comprising, step-wise: a. alkaline hydration of hull-free, desolvented, de-oiled sunflower seed flour with an aqueous solution: i) at a pH of 7-11 , ii) at a temperature of 5-62 °C, iii) optionally including Na and/or Ca and/or Mg salt, b. separation of solids from the solution, producing a liquid fraction, c. precipitation and separation of protein from liquid fraction: i) at pH 3-7.5 ii) at a temperature of 5-62°C, d. dilution of the protein to produce a slurry, e. homogenization and sterilization of protein slurry f. drying protein slurry.
  2. 2. The process of Claim 1 , wherein the de-oiled, desolvented sunflower seed flour contains <3% oil.
  3. 3. The process of any of Claims 1-2, wherein the pH in step a. is 7.5-10.
  4. 4. The process of any of Claims 1-3, wherein the temperature in step a. is18-60 °C.
  5. 5. The process of any of Claims 1-4, wherein each salt is independently selected from NaCI, CaCI, MgCI, Sodium hexametaphosphate, calcium perchlorate, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium thiocyanate and calcium thiocyanate.
  6. 6. The process of any of Claims 1-5, wherein the salt concentration in step a. is 0.1-5%.
  7. 7. The process of any of Claims 1-6, wherein the solids concentration in step a. is 10-20%.
  8. 8. The process of any of Claims 1-7, wherein the alkaline hydration step a. is carried out for 30-60 minutes. 16 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
  9. 9. The process of any of Claims 1-8, wherein separation step b. is by decantation and/or centrifugation.
  10. 10. The process of any of Claims 1-9, wherein precipitation of step c. is performed at pH 4- 7.
  11. 11. The process of any of Claims 1-10, wherein precipitation of step c. is performed at pH 4- 6.
  12. 12. The process of any of Claims 1-11 , wherein the temperature in step c. is18-60 °C.
  13. 13. The process of any of Claims 1-12, wherein the dilution step is with water and adjusted to about pH 7.
  14. 14. The process of any of Claims 1-13, wherein the temperature in steps a., b., c., d. and f. is maintained below about 60 °C.
  15. 15. A sunflower seed protein isolate made by the process of any of Claims 1-14.
  16. 16. The sunflower seed protein isolate of Claim 15, wherein the protein content is 80-98wt% (Nx6.25) d.b.
  17. 17. The sunflower seed protein isolate of any of Claims 15-16, wherein the protein is substantially maintained in its native form.
  18. 18. The sunflower seed protein isolate of any of Claims 15-17 capable of forming a gel in water.
  19. 19. The sunflower seed protein isolate of any of Claims 15-18 having foaming capacity in water.
  20. 20. The sunflower seed protein isolate of any of Claims 15-19 capable of forming an emulsion in a mixture of equal parts water and oil. 17 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Description

SUNFLOWER PROTEIN ISOLATE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION CROSS-REFERENCE This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/532,324 filed August 11 , 2023, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Oil seeds, such as sunflower seeds, are an emerging source of proteins for culinary applications. Recent trends toward the use of plant proteins to replace animal-derived protein has created a significant demand for the production of plant protein products with unique and desirable qualities, particularly for use in foods meant to replace animal-based products. Seed- derived proteins have become a coveted source for producing nutritionally-enhanced products and meat and dairy substitutes with preferred textural appeal and varied functionalities. Therefore, protein isolates from seeds that are both economical and have desirable physical properties for use in plant-based foods and products is needed. The production of protein isolates from oil seeds has been actively pursued for several decades. U.S. Pat. No. 8,728,542 describes production of sunflower seed protein preparations involving pressing, supercritical CO2 and/or superheated hexane. Various Other disclosures employ heat to provide sunflower protein concentrates, such as U.S. Pat. No. 10,645,950. Other procedures involving selective membrane techniques and/or diafiltration are described in U.S. published application No. 2022-0053791 A1. Production of novel sunflower seed protein compositions with unique functionality by procedures that are technologically and economically viable are in constant demand. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a process for producing a sunflower seed protein isolate (SFPI) from de-oiled sunflower seed flour that is economical and produces oil seed protein isolate that has unique composition and functionality. The process involves use of low temperatures, below where denaturation of proteins occurs, to produce a sunflower seed protein product with a protein content 80-98wt% (Nx6.25) on a dry basis and <3% oil while substantially maintaining the native form of the proteins in the flour. The sunflower seed protein isolates of the invention have highly desirable foaming, gelation and emulsion attributes, making them applicable to many plant-based food and beverage applications. In one aspect of the invention, a process is provided for extracting a sunflower seed protein isolate comprising, stepwise, alkaline hydration of the hull-free, desolvented , de-oiled 1 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) sunflower seed flour with an aqueous solution at pH 7-11 and a temperature of 5-62 °C, optionally including Na, Mg or Ca salt, separating the solids from the solution to produce a liquid fraction, precipitating and separating the protein from the liquid fraction at pH 3-7.5 and a temperature of 5-62 °C, diluting the protein to produce a protein slurry, homogenizing, sterilizing and/or pasteurizing and drying the protein slurry. In certain embodiments, the de-oiled, desolvented sunflower seed flour contains <3% oil. In certain embodiments, the alkaline hydration step is at pH 7.5-10. In some embodiments, the alkaline hydration step is at 18-60 °C. In certain embodiments, each salt is independently selected from NaCI, CaCI, MgCI, Sodium hexametaphosphate, calcium perchlorate, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium thiocyanate and calcium thiocyanate. In some embodiments, the salt concentration in step b. is 0.1-5%. In certain embodiments, the solids concentration in the alkaline hydration step is 10-20%. In some embodiments, the alkaline hydration step is performed for 30-60 minutes. In certain embodiments, the separation of solids to produce a liquid fraction is done by decantation and/or centrifugation. In some embodiments, the protein precipitation and separation step is performed at pH 4-7. In some embodiments, the precipitation step is performed at pH 4-6. In certain embodiments, the protein precipitation and separation step is performed at 18-60 °C. In a specific embodiment, the dilution step is with water and adjusted to about pH 7. In certain embodiments, all steps except the sterilization and/or pasteurization are carried out below about 60 °C. In another aspect of the invention, a sunflower seed protein isolate produced by the above process is provided. In certain embodiments, the sunflower seed protein isolate has a protein content of 80-98% by weight (Nx6.25) on a dry basis. In some embodiments, the protein is substantially maintained in its native form. In some embodiments, the sunflower seed protein isolate is capable of forming a gel in water. In some embodiments, the sunflower seed protein isolate has foaming capacity. In certain embodiments, the sunflower seed protein isolate is capable of forming an emulsion in a mixture of equal parts oil and water. In certain embodiments, the sunflower protein isolate protein component comprises 50