Sunflower seed protein concentrate for food applications and method of manufacturing the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for obtaining sunflower protein concentrates face challenges in achieving high protein yield with low levels of fat, sugars, polyphenols, and phytic acid, while maintaining desirable functional properties and minimizing environmental impact, particularly due to the use of hexane and high ethanol concentrations that can denature proteins.
Innovation Solution
A process involving multiple alcohol washes, pH adjustments, and alkali treatments is employed to extract sunflower seed press cake, using ethanol and water mixtures to remove impurities, followed by desolventizing to produce a high-protein concentrate with reduced polyphenols and phytic acid, without using hexane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hexane is used to extract oil from sunflower seeds, then fat removal efficiency is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hexane with ethanol, changing the chemical parameter of the extraction solvent. This substitution maintains effective fat removal while eliminating the environmental and health hazards associated with hexane, as ethanol is biodegradable and less toxic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ethanol, which can be easily disposed of or recovered through evaporation, replacing hexane that requires complex disposal procedures. The ethanol extraction process allows for simple evaporation to recover the solvent, reducing environmental burden.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentration ethanol (above 40%) is used to remove polyphenols, then polyphenol removal efficiency is improved, but protein structure stability deteriorates due to denaturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ethanol concentration parameter to a specific range (20-40%, preferably 25-35%) rather than using high concentrations. This parameter optimization achieves effective polyphenol removal while preventing protein denaturation that occurs at higher ethanol concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using moderate ethanol concentration (not excessive high concentration) that is sufficient for polyphenol removal without causing harmful side effects on protein structure. The process uses just enough ethanol to achieve the desired purification without over-treatment.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple purification steps are implemented to remove impurities, then product purity is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple purification functions into a single ethanol extraction step that simultaneously removes fat, polyphenols, and other impurities. This merging of purification steps achieves high product purity while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate treatment stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The ethanol extraction process serves multiple functions: it acts as a solvent for fat removal, a precipitating agent for polyphenol removal, and a purification medium for overall cleaner extraction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple specialized treatment steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process yields a sunflower seed protein concentrate with high protein content, low fat and polyphenol levels, and improved functional properties, suitable for food and feed applications, while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
b) de-oiling said sunflower press cake by mixing said sunflower seed press cake with an alcohol and removing the alcohol from a solid de-oiled sunflower seed meal
Implementation Method 2
c) extracting said de-oiled sunflower seed meal at a pH ranging from 3 to 6 with a first solution comprising an alcohol diluted with water
Implementation Method 3
d) extracting said first extracted solid, preferably at a pH ranging from 5.5 to 7.5, with a second solution comprising, consisting essentially or consisting of, an alcohol, which may be diluted with water, in the presence of an alkali
Implementation Method 4
followed by desolventizing to produce a high-protein concentrate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for obtaining a protein concentrate from sunflower seeds, to a sunflower seed concentrate and to a foodstuff comprising such a concentrate. The process comprises the use of a sunflower press cake and various extracting steps using an alcohol.