Soy proteins for preparation of gels, fibers and films
The present invention provides compositions of soy protein gel fibers, soy protein fiber membranes, and soy protein films. The present invention also provides methods of making the soy protein compositions and also uses of the compositions.
1 . A gel fiber composition comprising:
a soy protein colloid (SPC) or soy protein microfibril (SPMF);
sodium alginate (SA); and
a hydrocarbon solvent or soy oil.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , comprising SPMF and SA in a ratio of 1:1 to 4:1 (w/w).
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon solvent is cyclohexane or hexadecane.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gel fiber composition comprises cyclohexane, hexadecane, or soy oil.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gel fiber composition comprises:
SPMF and SA in a ratio of 2:1 (w/w); and
hexadecane in an amount of 75% (v/v).
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the gel fiber has a diameter of 300 to 1000 μm.
7 . A method for preparing the gel fiber of claim 1 , the method comprising:
(a) forming a reaction mixture comprising a soy protein colloid (SPC) or soy protein microfibril (SPMF), sodium alginate (SA), and a hydrocarbon solvent or soy oil; and
(b) spinning the reaction mixture into a CaCl 2 aqueous solution, thereby forming the gel fiber.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the reaction mixture comprises SPMF and SA in a ratio of 1:1 to 4:1 (w/w), and wherein the combination of SPMF and SA is present in an amount of about 2% (w/w).
9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the CaCl 2 aqueous solution comprises 0.5 M CaCl 2 .