High-Quality Protein Extraction From Plant-Based Sources

This thesis evaluates an aqueous enzymatic process of producing high-quality protein hydrolysates from plant-sources. Peanut oilcake (by-product of the peanut oil industry) was chosen as the feedstock for protein extraction. Enzymes Alcalase, Neutrase, and Flavorzyme were employed in a two-tiered model and optimised to extract nearly 88.5% proteins. Formation of low molecular weight hydrolysates (0.5 kDa - 5 kDa) were confirmed by SDS-PAGE, size exclusion chromatography, and MALDI-TOF. Techno-economic analysis revealed that production of peanut hydrolysates would be a successful venture, with a fixed capital cost of US$ 123.6 million, and net profits of approximately US$ 46 million.