Functional properties of soybean and lupin protein concentrates produced by ultrafiltration-diafiltration

Ultrafiltration followed by diafiltration (UF-DF) was evaluated for the production of protein products from partially defatted soybean meal or undefatted lupin (Lupinus albus L.2043N) meal. This study determined the effects of UF-DF on functional properties of the extracted proteins and compared the results with those of protein prepared by acid-precipitation (AP). UF-DF produced only protein concentrates (73% crude protein, dry basis, db), while AP produced protein isolates (about 90% crude protein, db). Soybean protein produced by UF-DF showed markedly higher values for solubilities up to pH 7.0, surface hydrophobicity index, emulsion activity index, and foaming capacity than did the AP soybean protein. UF-DF soy protein was also the most heat-stable among all protein samples tested. With lupin proteins, only the surface hydrophobicity and emulsion activity indices were significantly improved by using UF-DF. UF-DF generally had no adverse effects on and in most cases even improved, the functional properties of soy protein concentrate produced by this method. UF-DF did not produce a comparable improvement in functional properties of lupin proteins as it did for soybean protein.