Novel Plant Protein Processing Developing the Foods of the Future

Proteins serve as an important nutritional as well as structural component of foods. Not only do they provide an array of amino acids necessary for maintaining human health but also act as thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, foaming, gelling, and binding agents. The ability of a protein to possess and demonstrate such unique functional properties depends largely on its inherent structure, configuration, and how they interact with other food constituents, like, polysaccharides, lipids, and polyphenolic compounds. Proteins from animal sources have superior functionality, higher digestibility, and lower anti-nutrient components than plant proteins. However, consumer preferences are evolving worldwide for ethically and sustainably sourced, clean, cruelty-free, vegan or vegetarian plant-based food products. Unlike proteins from animal sources, plant proteins are more versatile, religiously, and culturally acceptable among vegetarian and vegan consumers and associated with lower food processing waste, water, and soil requirement.