Production of high protein concentrates

A process for providing a concentrate of vegetable protein comprising:

• a) applying a pressure of from about 400 to 800 pounds per square inch (psi) to an initial solution/dispersion of vegetable protein and associated vegetable solids;
• b) providing or adding CO2 at the elevated pressure to form carbonic acid (H2CO3) in the solution/dispersion;
• c) heating the solution/dispersion, resulting in an increase in pressure;
• d) adding additional CO2 to the solution dispersion to reduce the pH of the solution/dispersion;
• e) holding the pressurized and heated solution/dispersion;
• f) depressurizing the solution/dispersion;
• and
• g) removing solid precipitate which has a higher concentration of protein than the initial solution/dispersion.