Pilot-Scale Protein Recovery from Cold-Pressed Rapeseed Press Cake: Influence of Solids Recirculation
Journal article, 2022

The agricultural sector is responsible for about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, and thus there is a need to develop new plant-based proteins with lower climate impact. Rapeseed press cake, a by-product from rapeseed oil production, contains 30% high-quality protein. The purpose of this study was to recover protein from cold-pressed rapeseed press cakes on a pilot scale using a decanter and investigate the effect of recirculation of the spent solids fraction on protein yield. Proteins were extracted under alkaline conditions (pH 10.5) followed by precipitation at pH 3.5. Recirculating the spent solids fraction once increased the accumulated protein yield from 70% to 83%. The efficiency of the recovery process was highest in the first and second cycles. The additional yield after the third and fourth cycles was only 2%. The amino acid composition showed high levels of essential amino acids and was not reduced throughout the recovery process. The glucosinolate and phytate content was reduced in the precipitate after one cycle, although additional process steps are needed to further reduce the phytate content and limit the negative effect on mineral uptake.

Plant protein

Protein yield

Pilot-plant scale

Rapeseed press cake

Protein recovery

Protein extraction

Author

Cecilia Ahlström

Lund University

Johan Thuvander

Lund University

Marilyn Rayner

Lund University

Cecilia Mayer Labba

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Ann-Sofie Sandberg

Chalmers, Biology and Biological Engineering, Food and Nutrition Science

Karolina Östbring

Lund University

Processes

22279717 (eISSN)

Vol. 10 3 557

Subject Categories

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Chemical Process Engineering

Bioprocess Technology

DOI

10.3390/pr10030557

More information

Latest update

4/5/2022 9