Solution of denatured pea protein, and uses thereof to form microparticles

A method comprising the steps of:

• substantially but not fully solubilising pea protein in an alkali solvent having a pH of at least 7, or by sonication, to provide a 6-9% solubilised pea protein solution (w/v);
• resting the solubilised pea protein solution for at least 15 minutes to further solubilise and hydrate the pea protein and provide a rested pea protein solution;
• heating the rested pea protein solution under conditions sufficient to heat-denature at least 90% of the pea protein solution while maintaining the solution in a form suitable for extrusion into microdroplets thereby providing a denatured pea protein solution wherein at least 90% of the pea protein is present as a soluble pea protein aggregate as determined by the Shake Flask method;
• and
• preventing gelation by rapidly cooling the denatured pea protein solution to accelerate cooling and thereby providing a cooled denatured pea protein solution with a sufficiently low viscosity to permit the cooled denatured pea protein solution to be extruded or sprayed.