Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization

The sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products for novel protein sources is crucial for addressing global food security. This study investigates the alkaline extraction and characterization of protein isolates from Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seed meal, an agro-industrial residue,...

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Main Authors: Sutharut Jiapong, Tippaporn Bualeong, Sasivimon Chittrakorn, Worasit Tochampa, Khanitta Ruttarattanamongkol
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325006210
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author Sutharut Jiapong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Sasivimon Chittrakorn
Worasit Tochampa
Khanitta Ruttarattanamongkol
author_facet Sutharut Jiapong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Sasivimon Chittrakorn
Worasit Tochampa
Khanitta Ruttarattanamongkol
author_sort Sutharut Jiapong
collection DOAJ
description The sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products for novel protein sources is crucial for addressing global food security. This study investigates the alkaline extraction and characterization of protein isolates from Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seed meal, an agro-industrial residue, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize protein extraction, evaluating the effects of pH (10.5–11.5), temperature (30–60 °C), and extraction time (30–60 min) on protein content, yield, and recovery. Optimal conditions (pH 11.5, 60 °C, 30 min extraction time) yielded protein isolates with a significantly enhanced protein content of 92.36 %, demonstrating the efficacy of the optimized extraction process. Statistical models exhibited high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.9056–0.9882). Characterization of the isolates revealed improved in vitro digestibility (69.71 % compared to 26.85 % for the seed meal), reduced levels of antinutritional factors, and enhanced functional properties, including emulsion stability and foaming capacity, relevant for food applications. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis identified Legumin A2 as the predominant protein, with molecular weights in the range of 21–62 kDa. The amino acid profile highlighted substantial levels of essential amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, although lysine and tryptophan were identified as limiting amino acids relative to FAO/WHO standards. This research establishes a scalable and efficient methodology for extracting high-quality protein isolates from Sacha Inchi seed meal, positioning it as a valuable, sustainable ingredient for food product development and agricultural waste valorization.
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spelling doaj-art-97797c0a500a4ba0a793814ae3ce59232025-08-20T03:59:37ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432025-10-012310225010.1016/j.jafr.2025.102250Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterizationSutharut Jiapong0Tippaporn Bualeong1Sasivimon Chittrakorn2Worasit Tochampa3Khanitta Ruttarattanamongkol4Department of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, ThailandDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, ThailandDepartment of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, ThailandDepartment of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, ThailandDepartment of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Fats and Oils, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; Center of Excellence for Natural Health Product Innovation, Thailand; Corresponding author. Department of Agro-Industry, Faculty of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand.The sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products for novel protein sources is crucial for addressing global food security. This study investigates the alkaline extraction and characterization of protein isolates from Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) seed meal, an agro-industrial residue, using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). A Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize protein extraction, evaluating the effects of pH (10.5–11.5), temperature (30–60 °C), and extraction time (30–60 min) on protein content, yield, and recovery. Optimal conditions (pH 11.5, 60 °C, 30 min extraction time) yielded protein isolates with a significantly enhanced protein content of 92.36 %, demonstrating the efficacy of the optimized extraction process. Statistical models exhibited high predictive accuracy (R2 = 0.9056–0.9882). Characterization of the isolates revealed improved in vitro digestibility (69.71 % compared to 26.85 % for the seed meal), reduced levels of antinutritional factors, and enhanced functional properties, including emulsion stability and foaming capacity, relevant for food applications. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis identified Legumin A2 as the predominant protein, with molecular weights in the range of 21–62 kDa. The amino acid profile highlighted substantial levels of essential amino acids, especially branched-chain amino acids, although lysine and tryptophan were identified as limiting amino acids relative to FAO/WHO standards. This research establishes a scalable and efficient methodology for extracting high-quality protein isolates from Sacha Inchi seed meal, positioning it as a valuable, sustainable ingredient for food product development and agricultural waste valorization.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325006210Sacha Inchi protein isolationResponse surface methodologyProtein extraction optimizationFunctional food ingredientsAgricultural by-product utilizationAmino acid profile
spellingShingle Sutharut Jiapong
Tippaporn Bualeong
Sasivimon Chittrakorn
Worasit Tochampa
Khanitta Ruttarattanamongkol
Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
Journal of Agriculture and Food Research
Sacha Inchi protein isolation
Response surface methodology
Protein extraction optimization
Functional food ingredients
Agricultural by-product utilization
Amino acid profile
title Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
title_full Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
title_fullStr Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
title_full_unstemmed Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
title_short Optimized protein isolation from industrial Sacha Inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction: Functional and nutritional characterization
title_sort optimized protein isolation from industrial sacha inchi seed meal via alkaline extraction functional and nutritional characterization
topic Sacha Inchi protein isolation
Response surface methodology
Protein extraction optimization
Functional food ingredients
Agricultural by-product utilization
Amino acid profile
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325006210
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AT sasivimonchittrakorn optimizedproteinisolationfromindustrialsachainchiseedmealviaalkalineextractionfunctionalandnutritionalcharacterization
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