GB608269A - Improvements in and relating to the extraction of protein from seeds - Google Patents

Abstract

Seeds from which proteins are to be extracted are impregnated with dilute sulphuric, hydrochloric or phosphoric acid and heated to a temperature below the carbonisation temperature so as to concentrate the acid on the seeds; the latter are then washed until they are free from acid, whereafter the protein is extracted with an aqueous alkaline solution. Clear stable protein solutions useful for spinning are obtained. Oil-free seeds are preferably used, suitable seeds being castor-bean or other bean meal, nut meal and pea meal. The acid should preferably have an initial pH value not greater than 2, and the concentration of the acid may be effected at 40-70 DEG C. A metallic bisulphate, e.g. sodium bisulphate, may be used instead of sulphuric acid, and instead of hydrochloric acid there may be used salts which yield it when heated with water, e.g. magnesium chloride. The extraction of protein from the acid-treated and washed seeds may be effected with a dilute alkaline solution in known manner, e.g. as described in Specification 575,402, and the solution may be used directly or treated to precipitate the protein, e.g. with dilute sulphuric acid or gaseous sulphur dioxide. Examples of the process are given. Specifications 534,728, 534,851 and U.S.A. Specification 2,260,640 also are referred to.