Sweet potato leaf protein concentrates and methods for obtaining the same
AssigneeLeafPro, LLC
InventorsJason M. Ornstein, Emily Lanier, Tyre Lanier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Described herein is a concentrated sweet potato leaf protein in dried form, along with methods for producing it. The concentrated leaf protein has a protein content of greater than 21% by weight, and can have other beneficial components such as polyphenols. The concentrated leaf proteins are suitable for use in food and beverages, as protein supplementation, or as agents for gelling, foaming, and whipping.
Claims17
A sweet potato leaf protein concentrate powder which is dispersible and/or soluble in aqueous media, wherein the concentrate powder comprises polyphenols selected from the group consisting of hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans, and
- wherein the concentrate powder comprises at least one of
- lutein,
- beta-carotene,
- biologically active anthocyanins selected from the group consisting of the acylated cyanidin and peonidin, and
- compounds having radical scavenging activity, antimutagenic activity, anticancer activity, antidiabetes activity, and/or antibacterial activity.
A process for producing sweet potato leaf protein concentrate in a dried form, comprising the steps of:
- 1) disrupting the cell walls of plant leaves and contacting sweet potato leaf proteins released from the disrupted plant leaves with an aqueous solution at an acidic pH, so that soluble leaf proteins are solubilized in the aqueous solution (Step 1);
- 2) adding to the aqueous solution at least one enzyme that catalyzes breakdown of carbohydrates, and adjusting if needed the pH to be or remain acidic (Step 2);
- 3) adjusting the aqueous solution to a basic pH (Step 3);
- 4) removing from the aqueous solution produced in Step 3 substantially all cellulosic and starch material to produce an aqueous solution containing plant chloroplast material and the soluble leaf proteins (Step 4);
- 5) adding to the aqueous solution of Step 4 at least one enzyme that catalyzes breakdown of carbohydrates, and adjusting the pH to be acidic (Step 5);
- 6) filtering the aqueous solution of Step 5, wherein throughout Steps 1-6 the soluble leaf protein remains solubilized in the aqueous solution (Step 6);
- and
- 7) drying down the soluble leaf proteins from the aqueous solution of Step 6, to produce a sweet potato leaf protein concentrate in dried form (Step 7).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.