Soya Protein - What is it?

What is Soya Lecithin?

Soya protein is a protein-rich ingredient derived from the soybean plant. It is a plant-based alternative to animal protein in various food products like meat alternatives, dairy alternatives, and nutritional supplements. A high protein product isolated from soybeans and known as one of the more protein-dense products. Additionally, it finds application in the industrial sector as a binder, adhesive, and coating material.

Manufacturing Soya Protein occurs through several processes, including dry and wet methods. The dry process involves dehulling, grinding, and milling the soybean to produce soy flour, which is then treated with heat and pressure to extract the protein. The wet process involves soaking, grinding, and separating the soybean into its parts, including protein, oil, and fibre.

These methods are clarified by acidifying the product. The resulting protein curd neutralised, immobilised and leached into the final concentration percentage, with 80% being the most popular. Following this, the protein curd can produce many variations of soya protein. The most common is a powder, but there are also textured proteins, granular and beyond.

Its high protein content primarily boosts protein levels in many products. These products range from kebab meats to vegetarian food options and the more traditional ranges. Its wide breadth of application is made more apparent due to its non-animal source, making it a valuable vegetarian protein source. Being easily soluble and miscible, you can add this to several liquids to create protein-rich mixes for consumption. As such, it is a source of plant-based protein in products like meat alternatives, dairy alternatives, and nutritional supplements.

In the pharmaceutical industry, Soya protein is an excipient to deliver the active ingredients in a medication. It is also a binder and disintegrant in tablets and capsules. In cosmetics, Soya protein is used in hair and skin care products as a conditioning agent due to its film-forming properties. Finally, industrial products use Soya protein as a binder, adhesive, and coating material.