Know More About Soya Protein Concentrate

One could be excused for thinking that, if the economics are right, a more concentrated source could be used as effectively as soy protein concentrate given that soy protein isolate contains up to 90% crude protein. This is due to the false assumption that both protein sources are produced using the same method, with the only difference being that one protein source is more concentrated than the other. However, this is far from the truth.

The two soy protein concentrate manufactured in India use quite distinct processes. The differences also extend to the main use these products are intended for: soy protein isolate is a prime protein source for human nutrition products, whereas soy protein concentrate is manufactured for use in animal feeds. The abundance of soy protein isolate, mostly of Asian origin, has prompted many manufacturers to consider this ingredient (often sold at a discount due to quality problems that do not affect animals) for use in specialty feeds such as milk replacers, piglet feeds, and broiler super starters. In general, soy protein is just that, and it should not be a problem whether it comes from a 90 or a 60 percent protein concentration product. Yet, we should not forget that young monogastric animals (including milk-fed calves) are sensitive to the main proteins of soybeans, in addition to the anti-nutritional factors that are largely removed from concentrated soybean protein sources. As it happens, the process of manufacturing soy protein concentrate involves a step that reduces this antigenic-allergic reaction in the gut. This is not the case, however, in the process of making soy protein isolate. The key word is “reduces,” as total elimination of this problem remains an elusive goal.