METHOD FOR PRODUCING A PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE
The invention relates to a method for producing a protein hydrolysate. In particular, the invention relates to a method for producing a keratin hydrolysate. A method for producing a protein hydrolysate is proposed, comprising: providing a protein source in the form of an aqueous suspension; adding a complexing agent to the provided protein source suspension; adding a base to the provided protein source suspension; heating the obtained mixture to a temperature ≧60° C.; adjusting the pH value of the mixture to a value between ≧pH 2 and ≦pH 8; and filtering the mixture.
1 . A method for producing a protein hydrolysate comprising:
providing a protein source in the form of an aqueous suspension;
adding a complexing agent to the provided protein source suspension;
adding a base to the provided protein source suspension;
heating the resulting mixture to a temperature of ≧60° C.;
adjusting the pH-value of the mixture obtained to a value between ≧pH 2 and ≦pH 8; and
filtering the mixture.
2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a protein source suspension having a solids content between ≧15 wt. % and ≦70 wt. %, preferably between ≧20 wt. % and ≦60 wt. %, more preferably between ≧25 wt. % and ≦40 wt. % is provided.
3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a protein suspension is provided which includes a dispersant, preferably a surfactant.
4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a base selected from the group consisting of alkali hydroxide, alkaline earth hydroxide, calcium oxide or mixtures thereof is added.
5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the base is added in a ratio between 1:3 and 1:7 based on the solids content in the protein suspension obtained.
6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the complexing agent is selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitriloacetic acid (NTA), ethylene-glycol-bis(aminoethyl ether)-N,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), citric acid, 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, piroctone olamine, phytochelatine, natural or synthetic polypeptides and amino acids, crown ethers, derivatives or mixtures thereof.
7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a reducing agent is added to the provided protein source suspension.
8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein as the reducing agent a compound selected from the group consisting of alkali dithionite, alkali hydrogen sulfite, alkaline earth hydrogen sulfite, hydrazine, cystine (dimer of cysteine), glutathione disulfite (GSSG) or mixtures thereof is added.
9 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the reducing agent is added in a ratio between 1:20 and 1:300 based on the solids content in the protein suspension.
10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the resulting mixture is heated at an elevated pressure preferably between ≧1100 mbar and ≦4000 mbar, more preferable between 1500 mbar and 3000 mbar.
11 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the mixture is heated to a temperature between 100° C. and 150° C., preferably between 110° C. and 140° C.
12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein an acid is added to the mixture in order to adjust the pH-value to a value between ≧pH 2 and pH≦8.
13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, carboxylic acids, hydroxycarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof.
14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a filtration aid is added to the mixture prior to the filtration.
15 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the resulting filtrate is subjected to a spray-drying or lyophilisation process.