Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing protein hydrolyzates from animal and/or vegetable starting materials by comminuting the starting materials, mashing the comminuted starting materials into a pumpable mass, decomposing the mashed starting materials in an electric discharge gap and separating the aqueous phase of the decomposition from solid and water-unmixable residues, wherein the starting material is decomposed at a pH value between 10.0 and 14.0 and the decomposed starting material is subjected to a secondary reaction over at least 1 h at a pH value of 10.0 to 14.0, the temperature being at least 70.degree. C.