Wheat Protein Extraction and Isolation
Wheat protein extraction presents significant technical challenges in maintaining protein functionality while achieving high yields. Current industrial processes typically recover 65-75% of available proteins, with extraction efficiency heavily dependent on particle size distribution (45-150 μm), pH conditions (4.5-11.0), and temperature control (4-25°C). These parameters must be precisely managed to prevent protein denaturation and maintain the unique viscoelastic properties of wheat proteins.
The fundamental challenge lies in balancing extraction efficiency against protein functionality while managing process economics and environmental impact.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including hyperspectral imaging for precise protein quantification, low-temperature aqueous fractionation techniques, pH-controlled separation methods, and novel spectroscopic analysis approaches. These and other methods focus on practical implementations that can be scaled while maintaining protein quality and reducing resource consumption.
1. Hyperspectral Imaging Method for Protein and Gluten Quantification in Wheat Using Multi-Stage Spectral and Machine Learning Analysis
NANJING UNIVERSITY OF FINANCE & ECONOMICS, 2025
A method for detecting protein and gluten content in wheat using hyperspectral imaging. The method employs a multi-stage approach combining spectral analysis and machine learning techniques to achieve high-precision protein and gluten quantification. The analysis process involves spectral preprocessing, feature extraction, and machine learning-based fusion of characteristic wavelength features from the 400-1000nm and 900-1700nm spectral ranges. The method specifically addresses the challenges of comparing protein and gluten content across different wheat forms by adopting distinct preprocessing and feature fusion strategies for each spectral range.
2. Method for Isolating Organic Plant Proteins Using pH Adjustment and Precipitation
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY, 2022
Isolating organic plant proteins with high digestibility, balanced amino acids, and without chemical residues. The method involves grinding raw plant material, raising the pH of the resulting solution, separating solids, lowering the pH of the supernatant, precipitating, and drying to isolate the protein. This provides a clean, organic plant protein source without added sodium or chloride. The isolated proteins have improved digestibility, complete amino acid profiles, and are organic.
3. Protein Powder from Brewer's Spent Grain with High Protein Content and Enhanced Solubility via Microfiltration, Nanofiltration, and Enzymatic Hydrolysis
ANHEUSER-BUSCH INBEV SA, 2021
Protein powder produced from brewer's spent grain that has improved taste and solubility compared to traditional brewer's spent grain protein powders. The powder has high protein content (80%+), high solubility in water at pH 3-8, and low fat, fiber, carbohydrate, and ash contents. The process involves microfiltration, nanofiltration, enzymatic hydrolysis, and decantation to isolate and concentrate the protein from the spent grain slurry. This results in a protein powder with desirable taste and solubility properties for food and beverage applications.
4. Simultaneous Starch and Protein Extraction Method with pH-Adjusted Slurry and Sequential Separation Steps
CHONGQING DUODIAN BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Chongqing Duodian Biotechnology Co., Ltd., 2021
A method for extracting starch and protein simultaneously from plant sources like peas and wheat with reduced water consumption and shorter processing time compared to traditional methods. The method involves adjusting the pH of the raw material slurry to extract the alkali-soluble protein separately from the starch. This allows the protein and starch to be separated. The steps are: (1) Soak and crush the raw material to obtain a slurry. (2) Adjust the pH to extract the alkali-soluble protein. (3) Separate the protein by settling or centrifugation. (4) Dewater the starch by filtration or centrifugation.
5. Ethanol-Based Precipitation Method for Prolamin Protein Isolation from Cereal Flours
THE WALTER AND ELIZA HALL INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH, 2020
Purifying prolamin proteins, like gluten, avenin, secalin, zein, and kafirin, from cereal flours without using water. The method involves chilling ethanol extracts of the flours to selectively precipitate the prolamins. This allows isolating the prolamins without washing or hydrating the flour. The chilled precipitate can be harvested for food uses like gluten substitutes, dough strengtheners, or feed ingredients. The chilling step provides selectivity compared to traditional water washing methods.
6. Low-Temperature Aqueous Method for Fractionating Wheat into Protein, Starch, and Fiber
ROQUETTE FRERES, 2019
A method to extract protein, starch, and fiber from wheat grains or flour without denaturing proteins or gelatinizing starch. The method involves preparing an aqueous suspension of wheat at low temperature, separating out the proteins, then drying the protein fraction. This avoids high heat steps that can denature proteins or gelatinize starch. The starch and fiber are separated separately using density and filtration steps.
7. Method for Single-Step Sieve Treatment and Extraction of High-Purity Gluten Protein from Wheat Flour
UNIV NANJING FINANCE & ECONOMICS, 2019
A method for extracting high-purity gluten protein from wheat flour, enabling rapid and efficient detection of gluten in food products. The process involves a single-step treatment of wheat flour through a 60-200 mesh sieve, followed by a series of standard extraction steps. This approach eliminates the need for multiple precipitation steps and complex purification protocols, resulting in a high-purity gluten protein extract that can be directly used for detection applications.
8. Dry Flour Mixture with Rice Protein Isolate and Wheat Gluten in Specific Proportions
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A dry flour mixture for high-protein bakery products that combines rice protein isolate with wheat gluten to enhance nutritional value without compromising technological properties. The mixture combines 89% rice protein isolate with 11% wheat gluten, achieving a balanced protein content while maintaining wheat gluten's structural integrity. This blend enables the production of high-protein bakery products with improved texture and shelf life compared to traditional blends.
9. Near-Infrared Spectroscopy System with Joint Interval Support Vector Machine for Wheat Flour Protein and Gluten Content Analysis
UNIV SOUTHWEST, 2018
Rapidly detecting wheat flour protein and gluten content through near-infrared spectroscopy and machine learning. The method combines near-infrared spectroscopy with a joint interval support vector machine (ISVM) model to establish a predictive relationship between wheat flour spectral characteristics and protein and gluten content. The ISVM model is optimized using quadratic grid optimization, enabling rapid and accurate analysis of wheat flour spectral data.
10. Plant Protein Extraction Method Utilizing pH Adjustment and Controlled Fermentation for Component Separation
CHONGQING DUODIAN FOOD CO LTD, 2017
A novel method for extracting plant proteins from raw materials that addresses the conventional problems of prolonged fermentation times, high water consumption, and environmental concerns. The process involves adjusting the pH of the raw material slurry to facilitate the precipitation of starch, followed by a controlled fermentation process that selectively separates protein, starch, and fiber components. The method eliminates the need for mechanical breakdown, sieving, and multiple precipitation steps, resulting in a more efficient and environmentally friendly extraction process.
11. Method for Protein Extraction from Cereal Grains Using Sequential Starch Extraction, Defibration, and Degreasing Steps
MING YAN, 2017
A method to extract protein from cereal grains like wheat, rice, and barley. The method involves steps like starch grain extraction, defibrating, degreasing, etc. to obtain cereal protein.
12. Method for Producing Wheat Protein Hydrolysates Using Thermostable Bacterial Endopeptidase with Variable Amplitude Depth Profile
NOVOZYMES AS, 2016
A method for producing high-solubility wheat protein hydrolysates through microbial endopeptidase treatment. The process involves adding a thermostable endopeptidase with 50% enzyme identity to wheat protein, followed by incubation to hydrolyze the protein. The endopeptidase, derived from a bacterial source, is engineered to have optimal activity at neutral pH and is specifically designed for wheat protein hydrolysis. The treatment enables the production of uniform, soluble hydrolysates with enhanced solubility compared to conventional proteolytic enzymes.
13. Method for Producing Wheat Protein Hydrolysate via Citric Acid Pretreatment and Dual Enzyme Hydrolysis
JIANGSU CONCO FOOD CO LTD, 2015
A method for producing high-quality wheat protein hydrolysate through controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of wheat protein, with improved solubility and nutritional profile. The process involves pretreating the wheat protein with citric acid to enhance its solubility, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis using alkaline and neutral proteases. The resulting hydrolysate is then spray-dried to produce a powder with reduced peptide content, suitable for animal feed applications.
14. Method for Identifying Wheat Gluten via Ultrasonic Extraction and Gel Chromatography
CAPITAL NORMAL UNIVERSITY, 2015
A method for rapid and accurate identification of wheat gluten in various grain types through gel chromatography. The method employs a multi-step extraction process that involves ultrasonic treatment of the grain suspension, selective precipitation of glutenin, and subsequent gel filtration to isolate the glutenin component. The isolated glutenin is then analyzed by gel chromatography, allowing rapid quantification of glutenin content across different grain development stages. This approach enables the simultaneous screening of glutenin content in various grain types, including wheat, corn, and rice, with minimal sample preparation and analysis time.
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