Abstract: A novel meat product is provided. The meat product contains a blend of at least one meat and an unrefined plant protein material. In one embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the meat product has a nitrogen solubility index of from about 30% to about 80% and at least one of the following properties: a salt tolerance index of from about 30% to about 80%; a water hydration capacity of at least 3.75 times the weight of the unrefined plant protein material; or a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at a temperature of 15° C. to 25° C. In another embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the meat product has at least one of the following properties: a gel weight of at least 30 grams at a temperature of from about 15° C. to about 25° C. in a 5 fluid ounce mixture containing 5 parts water per 1 part of unrefined plant protein material, by weight; or a refrigerated gel strength of at least 50 grams when combined with 5 parts of water per part of soy material, by weight.

Abstract: A novel meat product is provided. The meat product contains a blend of at least one meat and an unrefined plant protein material. In one embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the meat product has a nitrogen solubility index of from about 30% to about 80% and at least one of the following properties: a salt tolerance index of from about 30% to about 80%; a water hydration capacity of at least 3.75 times the weight of the unrefined plant protein material; or a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at a temperature of 15° C. to 25° C. In another embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the meat product has at least one of the following properties: a gel weight of at least 30 grams at a temperature of from about 15° C. to about 25° C. in a 5 fluid ounce mixture containing 5 parts water per 1 part of unrefined plant protein material, by weight; or a refrigerated gel strength of at least 50 grams when combined with 5 parts of water per part of soy material, by weight.

Abstract: Processes for producing a novel soy functional food ingredient are provided. A soy material containing less than 65% soy protein by weight on a moisture-free basis is hydrated. In one aspect of the invention the soy material is hydrated with at least 2 parts of water per 1 part of soy material, by weight. At least a portion of soy protein in the hydrated soy material is then partially denatured. In one aspect of the invention, a hydrated soy material containing at least 2 parts of water per 1 part of soy material, by weight, is denatured by treating the hydrated soy material at a temperature of from about 75° C. to about 160° C. In another aspect of the invention, a hydrated soy material is denatured by subjecting the hydrated soy material to shear at a temperature of at least 40° C.

Abstract: A novel functional food ingredient is provided. The functional food ingredient contains an unrefined plant protein material. The unrefined plant protein material of the functional food ingredient is obtained by hydrating a particulate or flaked unrefined plant protein material with at least 2 parts of water per part of unrefined plant protein material, partially denaturing at least a portion of plant protein contained in the hydrated unrefined plant protein material, and drying the hydrated partially-denatured unrefined plant protein material. In one embodiment, the dried partially-denatured unrefined plant protein material has a nitrogen solubility index of from about 30% to about 80% and at least one of the following properties: a salt tolerance index of from about 30% to about 80%; a water hydration capacity of at least 4 times the weight of the unrefined plant protein material; or a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at a temperature of 15° C. to 25° C.

Abstract: A novel soy functional food ingredient is provided. The functional food ingredient contains a soy material which contains less than 65% soy protein on a moisture free basis. In one embodiment, the soy material of the functional food ingredient also has a nitrogen solubility index of from about 30% to about 80% and at least one of the following properties: a water activity of 0.3 or less; a salt tolerance index of from about 30% to about 80%; a water hydration capacity of at least 3 times the weight of the soy material; a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at a temperature of 18° C. to 25° C.; and a trypsin inhibitor activity of at most 10 trypsin inhibitor units per milligram of the soy material. In another embodiment, the soy material of the functional food ingredient also has at least one of the following properties: a gel weight of at least 30 grams at a temperature of from about 15° C. to about 25° C.

Abstract: A novel functional food ingredient is provided. The functional food ingredient contains an unrefined plant protein material. In one embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the functional food ingredient has a nitrogen solubility index of from about 30% to about 80% and at least one of the following properties: a salt tolerance index of from about 30% to about 80%; a water hydration capacity of at least 3.75 times the weight of the unrefined plant protein material; or a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at a temperature of 15° C. to 25° C. In another embodiment, the unrefined plant protein material of the functional food ingredient has at least one of the following properties: a gel weight of at least 30 grams at a temperature of from about 15° C. to about 25° C.

Abstract: A process for providing an isoflavone rich protein isolate is provided, along 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 extractant 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 about 40.degree. F. to about 80.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.

Abstract: A process for providing an isoflavone rich protein isolate is provided, along 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 neutral pH. The protein and isoflavones are extracted into the extractant, and the extractant containing the protein and isoflavones is separated from insoluble vegetable 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 about 40.degree. F. to about 80.degree. F., and then the protein is separated from the extract. The cool separation temperatures unexpectedly significantly increase the concentration of isoflavones recovered in the separated protein, while the neutral extract pH inhibits loss of protein normally observed at cool or cold separation temperatures.

Abstract: A cooked and frozen chopped egg product is disclosed which is suitable as a condiment for foodstuffs. The chopped egg product is produced by a process comprising; dynamically or continuously preheating egg yolks to a product temperature which does not exceed about 183.degree. F. and dynamically or continuously preheating egg whites to a product temperature which does not exceed about 167.degree. F. Preheating of the yolks and whites is followed by statically heating the egg yolks and whites at a temperature and time effective to coagulate the yolks and whites to a substantially firm texture followed by freezing of the coagulated yolks and whites. The frozen whites and yolks are chopped at a temperature of 20.degree.-30.degree. F. to provide a chopped egg mixture having desirable color and texture, without significant smearing of the yolks on the particles of egg white.