Method and system for drying of proteins as well as functionalized protein obtained

A method for drying non-mammalian protein, the method comprising:

• providing a material comprising a non-mammalian protein;
• extracting and separating protein from the material to obtain a protein enriched fraction of extracted protein, or otherwise obtaining a liquid, colloidal or semi-solid protein enriched fraction from the material;
• providing a steam flow to a steam infusion nozzle mounted in a spray dryer, thereby generating a steam atmosphere in an infusion chamber of the steam infusion nozzle,
• providing a protein liquid feed to the steam infusion nozzle;
• introducing the protein liquid feed into the steam atmosphere of the infusion chamber of the steam infusion nozzle, at a pressure of at least 5 barg, thereby primary atomizing and heating the protein liquid feed in a process of primary atomization;
• allowing the atomized, heated protein to directly enter a drying chamber of the spray dryer through an opening in the infusion chamber in a process of secondary atomization, the drying chamber being provided with a drying gas;
• and
• drying the atomized, heated protein in the spray dryer to obtain a dried protein.