Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of an isoflavone enriched vegetable protein isolate in which the weight ratio of material to extractant is controlled and washing of the acid precipitated protein curd is avoided or minimized to provide an increased level of isoflavones in the protein isolate.

Abstract: Aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein extract and isolate and process for producing and recovering are disclosed. The aglucone isoflavone extract is made by extracting a vegetable protein material comprising glucone isoflavones with an aqueous extractant having a pH above about the isoelectric point of the protein material to produce an aqueous extract, and reacting the glucone isoflavones with a sufficient amount of beta-glucosidase enzyme or esterase enzyme for a time period, temperature, and pH sufficient to convert at least a majority of the glucone isoflavones in the extract to aglucone isoflavones and thereby produce the aglucone isoflavone enriched extract. The aglucone isoflavone enriched isolates are produced by adjusting the pH of the reacted extract to about the isoelectric point of the vegetable protein material to precipitate the protein material, and separating the protein material to produce an aglucone enriched protein isolate.

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: Aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein extract and isolate and processes for producing and recovering are disclosed. The aglucone isoflavone extract is made by extracting a vegetable protein material comprising glucone isoflavones with an aqueous extractant having a pH above about the isoelectric point of the protein material to produce an aqueous extract, and reacting the glucone isoflavones with a sufficient amount of beta-glucosidase enzyme or esterase enzyme for a time period, temperature, and pH sufficient to convert at least a majority of the glucone isoflavones in the extract to aglucone isoflavones and thereby produce the aglucone isoflavone enriched extract. The aglucone isoflavone enriched isolates are produced by adjusting the pH of the reacted extract to about the isoelectric point of the vegetable protein material to precipitate the protein material, and separating the protein material to produce an aglucone enriched protein isolate.

Abstract: Aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein whey, whey protein and processes for producing and recovering such are disclosed. Aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein whey is made by treating whey comprising glucone isoflavones with a sufficient amount of beta-glucosidase enzyme or esterase enzyme or acid to convert at least a majority of the glucone isoflavones to aglucones and thereby provide an aglucone enriched whey. An aglucone enriched whey protein is obtained by recovery of the protein.

Abstract: Aglucone isoflavone enriched protein concentrates and processes for producing and recovering are disclosed. The process comprises an isoelectrie wash of a vegetable protein material to provide a protein concentrate, which is slurried and reacted with a sufficient amount of beta-glucosidase enzyme or esterase enzyme for a time period, temperature, and pH sufficient to convert at least a majority of the glucone isoflavones contained in the concentrate to aglucone isoflavones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein fiber wherein a vegetable protein material is extracted to form a slurry of protein, fiber and glucone isoflavones. The pH of the slurry is adjusted to about 6 to 8 and the slurry reacted with a beta glucosidase to convert the glucone isoflavones in said slurry to aglucone isoflavones. The fiber fraction is then recovered from the slurry by centrifugation or similar means to provide an aglucone enriched fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aglucone isoflavone enriched vegetable protein fiber wherein a vegetable protein material is extracted to form a slurry of protein, fiber and glucone isoflavones. The pH of the slurry is adjusted to about 6 to 8 and the slurry reacted with a beta glucosidase to convert the glucone isoflavones in said slurry to aglucone isoflavones. The fiber fraction is then recovered from the slurry by centrifugation or similar means to provide an aglucone enriched fiber.

Abstract: Molasses distillers condensed solubles (MDCS) is stabilized by adding a hydrocolloid so that substantial precipitation of soluble nutrients of the MDCS is avoided, and homogeneous liquid character of the MDCS is preserved at 30.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a vegetable protein is disclosed wherein the disulfide bonds of the protein are electrolytically reduced to provide a protein of improved functionality. Electrolytic reduction also results in unexpected removal of many of the naturally occurring pigments contained in a vegetable protein, such as soy protein, to provide a protein of improved whiteness.