| abstract |
The present invention relates to a novel solvent-free process for the production of protein-, starch- and fiber-enriched fractions or fractions rich in specific compounds from pulses, grains, oilseeds, and dried fruits. Unlike conventional wet processes, this dry process preserves the natural configuration and structure of separated components. This process employs a tribo-electrostatic technique to selectively charge proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, and other components in pulses, grains, oilseeds, and dried fruits and separates them based on the magnitude and type of their charge. The invention also relates to the protein-, starch-, and fiber-enriched fractions or fractions rich in specific compounds obtained using the process of this invention, and to the use of these fractions in a variety of applications that include the food industries, in particular gluten-free market, in the production of high functional protein concentrates and isolates, in particular soy protein concentrate and isolate, as pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical agents, and in the production of bio-based materials. |