Food science researchers with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station are tapping into the power of soundwaves and fermentation to improve the quality of plant-based proteins.

Ultrasound, the same soundwave technology that creates images of babies in the womb, and microbes that break starches down into sugar are behind a new protein extraction method being investigated with the support of a nearly $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 

Propelling the study is an increased demand in the plant-based dairy and alternative meat markets. Mahfuzur Rahman, an assistant professor in the Food Science Department, said the market was estimated to be worth $29 billion in 2023 and growing by about 8 percent annually. Health and environmental concerns are behind the increase in demand, he noted.

Rahman is the lead research on the two-year study that began in August to develop an eco-friendly method of plant-protein extraction to enhance consumer acceptance by improving product development performance, taste and nutritional value. Plant-based proteins are used to make alternatives to animal proteins found in meats and dairy.

"Traditional protein extraction methods require chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and often result in lower yields and reduced protein quality," Rahman said. "The traditional method affects the functionality, taste and nutrition of the extracted proteins."

Rahman is a food scientist and grain processing engineer who conducts research through the experiment station, the research arm of the U of A System Division of Agriculture. He teaches courses through the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. He received a Tanner Award for Comprehensive Reviews this year for being one of the most cited authors for scientific papers published by the Institute of Food Technologists.

Rahman said this research will focus on optimizing ultrasound-assisted extraction to release proteins from flour efficiently, followed by adjusting fermentation-assisted removal of off-flavors and anti-nutritional factors. 

"The effectiveness of the new method will be compared with traditional extraction methods in terms of protein yield, removal of off-notes and reduction of anti-nutritional compounds," Rahman explained.

Collaborators on the study include Scott Lafontaine, assistant professor of flavor chemistry for the U of A System Division of Agriculture, and Girish Ganjyal, professor and extension food processing specialist at Washington State University's School of Food Science. The grant is part of the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative from USDA-NIFA. The project award number is 2024-67018-42814.

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website: https://aaes.uada.edu. Follow on Twitter at @ArkAgResearch. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit https://uada.edu/. Follow us on Twitter at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. 

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About the Division of Agriculture: The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture's mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation's historic land grant education system. The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.