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US4420425A
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Method for processing protein from nonbinding oilseed by ultrafiltration and solubilization
Assignee: Texas A&M University System
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Filing: 1982-08-02
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Granted: 1983-12-13
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Expires: 2002-08-02
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a method of producing proteins from nonbinding oilseeds such as soybeans and peanuts by solubilization and ultrafiltration. A filterable protein feed is produced by extraction from a mixture of water and nonbinding oilseeds such as soybeans or peanuts. The feed is then passed over an ultrafiltration membrane system with a molecular weight cutoff of about 70,000 and preferably of 100,000 daltons or more. While the feed is being passed over the ultrafiltration membrane, the concentration or dilution of the protein feed is properly controlled in order to insure separation into the permeate of a substantial portion of that fraction of the constituents which produce color and flavor in the ultimate product.
Inventors
- 👤 James T. Lawhon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 13:49
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23J; A23J1/00; A23J1/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseeds comprising the steps of: solubilizing at least a portion of the protein contained in the oilseed to produce a filterable protein feed stream; and passing the protein feed stream through an ultrafiltration membrane system with a molecular weight cutoff of about 70,000 daltons to separate out proteins, while controlling the concentration of the feed to limit self filtering and produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance when dried.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseeds comprising the steps of: solubilizing at least a portion of the protein contained in the oilseed to produce a filterable protein feed stream; and passing the protein feed stream through an ultrafiltration membrane system with a molecular weight cutoff of about 70,000 daltons to separate out proteins, while controlling the concentration of the feed to limit self filtering and produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance when dried.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 where in the molecular weight cutoff of the ultrafiltration membrane system is at least about 100,000 daltons.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
29 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the filterable protein feed stream is produced by extracting oilseeds in an alkaline environment to produce a solubilized protein solution.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
29 words
A method according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the filterable protein feed stream is produced by extracting oilseeds in an acidic environment to produce a dispersed protein slurry.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A process according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the oilseed is soybean and the soybean in the feed is initially in the form of defatted soybean.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The protein product produced from oilseeds by the process of claims 1 or 2.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claims 1 or 2 further comprising the step of passing the permeate through a reverse osmosis membrane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the permeate of the reverse osmosis membrane is essentially water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein the permeate of the reverse osmosis membrane is recirculated for solubilizing a portion of the oilseed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein at least a portion of the reverse osmosis membrane permeate is used to control the concentration of the feed stream prior to its passage through the ultrafiltration membrane system.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseed protein comprising the steps of: extracting oilseeds in an alkaline environment to produce a solubilized protein solution; removing at least a portion of any insoluble residue from the protein solution; and passing the protein solution over an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
84 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseed protein comprising the steps of: extracting oilseeds in an alkaline environment to produce a solubilized protein solution; removing at least a portion of any insoluble residue from the protein solution; and passing the protein solution over an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the concentration of the solution is controlled to limit self-filtering in the ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein the step of controlling the concentration of the solution to limit self-filtering is accomplished by adding water to a supply zone essentially upon the initiation of ultrafiltration to essentially maintain the original volume of the solution in the supply zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 11 further comprising the step of pasteurizing the solubilized protein solution prior to passing the protein solution through the ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the oilseed is soybean and the soybean extracted is initially in the form of defatted soybean.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the solubilized protein solution initially comprises oilseed, water, and sodium hydroxide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the solubilized protein solution initially comprises oilseed, water, and calcium hydroxide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A process according to claims 11, 16 or 17 wherein the oilseeds are extracted in an alkaline solution and ratio of water to oilseed in the alkaline solution is at least 10 to 1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the protein solution is fed from a supply region and further comprising the steps of concurrently recycling the retentate and passing water to the supply region, the amount of water and retentate being sufficient to maintain the volume of the solubilized protein solution at a substantially constant volume.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 19 wherein the volume of the solubilized protein solution is maintained at a constant level until a volume of permeate collected is at least 1.2 times as large as the constant volume.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 20 wherein the volume of permeate ultimately collected is between approximately 2 and 3 times as large as the constant volume.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the retentate is passed through at least one more ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The protein product produced from oilseed by the process of claim 11.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The protein product of claim 23 wherein the protein product is an isolate.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The protein product of claim 23 having a Gardner color difference meter reading of at least 80 when the product is dry.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseed protein having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing oilseeds in water to produce a mixture; regulating the pH of the mixture while controlling the temperature and concentration of the oilseeds in the mixture in order to dissolve oilseed protein and and produce a solubilized protein slurry comprising a protein solution; separating out insolubilized solids from the protein slurry; prefiltering the protein slurry to remove a sufficient amount of suspended matter in preparation for the ultrafiltration of the protein solution; and passing the protein solution over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 daltons to produce a permeate and a retentate while essentially maintaining the original volume of the protein solution in a supply zone as the solution is being ultrafiltered by adding water at a rate sufficient to compensate for the permeate being removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the supply zone.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseed protein having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing oilseeds in water to produce a mixture; regulating the pH of the mixture while controlling the temperature and concentration of the oilseeds in the mixture in order to dissolve oilseed protein and and produce a solubilized protein slurry comprising a protein solution; separating out insolubilized solids from the protein slurry; prefiltering the protein slurry to remove a sufficient amount of suspended matter in preparation for the ultrafiltration of the protein solution; and passing the protein solution over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 daltons to produce a permeate and a retentate while essentially maintaining the original volume of the protein solution in a supply zone as the solution is being ultrafiltered by adding water at a rate sufficient to compensate for the permeate being removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the supply zone.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
A protein produced from oilseeds according to the process of claim 26.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
42 words
A process according to claim 26 further comprising the step of passing the permeate from the ultrafiltration membrane through a reverse osmosis membrane to produce a reverse osmosis permeate and a reverse osmosis retentate, the reverse osmosis permeate consisting substantially of water.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 26 wherein the pH of the mixture is greater than 7.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of processing soy protein having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing defatted soy flour in water to produce a mixture wherein the ratio of soy to water by weight is between about 40 to 1 and about 10 to 1 and the temperature of the mixture is between about 50 and about 60° C.; setting the pH of the mixture between about 7 and about 8 in order to dissolve soy protein and produce a solubilized protein slurry comprising a protein solution; separating out insolubilized solids from the protein slurry; prefiltering the protein slurry to remove a sufficient amount of suspended matter in preparation for the ultrafiltration of the protein solution; passing the protein solution over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to produce a permeate and a retentate while substantially maintaining the original volume of the protein solution in a feed tank as the solution is being ultrafiltered by adding water to make up for permeate removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the feed tank while recycling at least a portion of the retentate to the feed tank and collecting the permeate; allowing the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank to decrease once a volume of permeate equal to at least about 1.2 times the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank is collected; and thereafter mixing any unrecycled retentate with the protein solution.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
252 words
A method of processing soy protein having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing defatted soy flour in water to produce a mixture wherein the ratio of soy to water by weight is between about 40 to 1 and about 10 to 1 and the temperature of the mixture is between about 50 and about 60° C.; setting the pH of the mixture between about 7 and about 8 in order to dissolve soy protein and produce a solubilized protein slurry comprising a protein solution; separating out insolubilized solids from the protein slurry; prefiltering the protein slurry to remove a sufficient amount of suspended matter in preparation for the ultrafiltration of the protein solution; passing the protein solution over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to produce a permeate and a retentate while substantially maintaining the original volume of the protein solution in a feed tank as the solution is being ultrafiltered by adding water to make up for permeate removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the feed tank while recycling at least a portion of the retentate to the feed tank and collecting the permeate; allowing the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank to decrease once a volume of permeate equal to at least about 1.2 times the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank is collected; and thereafter mixing any unrecycled retentate with the protein solution.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
14 words
The protein product produced by the performance of the process defined in claim 30.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process according to claim 30 further comprising the steps of: allowing the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank to decrease until a volume of permeate equal to at least about 2.0 times the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank is collected; and thereafter mixing any unrecycled retentate with the protein solution and spray drying the resultant mixture.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of producing nonbinding oilseed protein comprising the steps of: extracting oilseeds in an acidic environment to produce a dispersed protein slurry; and passing the protein slurry over an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of producing nonbinding oilseed protein comprising the steps of: extracting oilseeds in an acidic environment to produce a dispersed protein slurry; and passing the protein slurry over an ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 33 wherein the concentration of the slurry is controlled to limit self-filtering in the ultrafiltration membrane.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
A process according to claim 33 wherein the step of controlling the concentration of the slurry to limit self-filtering is accomplished by adding water to a supply zone essentially upon the initiation of ultrafiltration to essentially maintain the original volume of the slurry in the supply zone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 33 wherein the pH of the dispersed protein slurry is at least 4.5.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
12 words
The protein product produced from oilseeds by the process of claim 33.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of producing a soy protein concentrate having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing defatted soy flour in water to produce a mixture wherein the ratio of soy to water by weight is between about 40 to 1 and about 10 to 1 and the temperature of the mixture is between about 50 and about 60° C.; controlling the pH of the mixture to dissolve nonprotein constituents including sugars and salts and a portion of the protein and to produce a dispersed protein slurry comprising undissolved protein; and passing the protein slurry over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to produce a permeate and a retentate while substantially maintaining the original volume of the protein slurry in a feed tank as the slurry is being ultrafiltered by adding water to make up for permeate removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the feed tank while recycling at least a portion of the retentate to the feed tank and collecting the permeate.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of producing a soy protein concentrate having a substantially bland taste and colorless appearance comprising the steps of: mixing defatted soy flour in water to produce a mixture wherein the ratio of soy to water by weight is between about 40 to 1 and about 10 to 1 and the temperature of the mixture is between about 50 and about 60° C.; controlling the pH of the mixture to dissolve nonprotein constituents including sugars and salts and a portion of the protein and to produce a dispersed protein slurry comprising undissolved protein; and passing the protein slurry over at least one ultrafiltration membrane with a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to produce a permeate and a retentate while substantially maintaining the original volume of the protein slurry in a feed tank as the slurry is being ultrafiltered by adding water to make up for permeate removed from the ultrafiltration membrane and any retentate not recycled to the feed tank while recycling at least a portion of the retentate to the feed tank and collecting the permeate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to claim 38 further comprising the steps of: allowing the volume of the protein slurry in the feed tank to decrease once a volume of permeate equal to at least about 1.2 times the volume of the protein slurry in the feed tank is collected; and thereafter mixing any unrecycled retentate with the protein slurry.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
64 words
A process according to claim 39 further comprising the steps of: allowing the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank to decrease until a volume of permeate equal to at least about 2.0 times the volume of the protein solution in the feed tank is collected; and thereafter mixing any unrecycled retentate with the protein solution and spray drying the resultant mixture.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claims 38 or 39 wherein the pH of the flour-water mixture is set at approximately 4.5.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claims 38 or 39 wherein the pH of the flour-water mixture is controlled by the addition of a suitable acid.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 42 wherein the acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The protein product produced by the performance of the process defined in claim 38.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseeds comprising the steps of: extracting a first portion of the oilseeds in an alkaline environment to produce a solubilized protein solution; extracting a second portion of the oilseeds in an acidic environment to produce a dispersed protein slurry; mixing the solubilized protein solution and dispersed protein slurry; and passing the mixture over an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of processing nonbinding oilseeds comprising the steps of: extracting a first portion of the oilseeds in an alkaline environment to produce a solubilized protein solution; extracting a second portion of the oilseeds in an acidic environment to produce a dispersed protein slurry; mixing the solubilized protein solution and dispersed protein slurry; and passing the mixture over an ultrafiltration membrane having a molecular weight cutoff of at least about 100,000 to separate out color causing and taste causing components and to produce a permeate and a retentate, the retentate having a substantially bland taste and a colorless appearance when dry.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 45 wherein the ratio of the amount of oilseeds in the first and second portions is set in order to control the percentage of protein in the retentate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-12-12 | 1987-06-13 | 1987-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-12 | 1991-06-13 | 1991-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-12 | 1995-06-13 | 1995-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |