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A Brazilian company received a patent from the European Patent Office for its unique production process for soy protein concentrate (SPC), used in feed composition. With this, Rio Pardo Proteína Vegetal, based in Mato Grosso do Sul, now has exclusivity in its production process in the European Union, recognized by the body as “innovative”.
The main difference in the company's procedure is the unification of processing steps. In traditional processes, it works as follows: in a first step, the oil is separated from the soybeans. After that, heating is carried out to remove the solvents from the process. Then, a second step is needed to remove the soluble carbohydrates, where the antinutritional factors in soy are located. In this extraction, alcohol is used and, to remove it, the grain is heated again.
In the process of the company from Mato Grosso do Sul, this is all done at once. “The oil and carbohydrates are removed in just a single step and a single heating”, explains Leandro Baruel, export manager at Rio Pardo.
In this way, the quality of the product increases considerably, a factor also considered by the patent body, which observed not only the methodology and practice, but also the final product. “When we reduce the number of times the grains are heated, we reduce the possibility of what we call the 'Maillard reaction' occurring, which is the formation of a protein complex with carbohydrates and sugars. This complex interferes with the digestibility of the product”, he comments.
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With this, the company reaches the level of having one of the best protein concentrates in the world, with more than 65% of solubility and 98% of digestibility. The process is also considered more sustainable as it reduces the consumption of thermal and electrical energy. “In the animal breeding market there is very strong pressure in this direction. From raw materials to products for customers, it is necessary to be as sustainable as possible”, adds Baruel.
After ratification by the European community, the company is also seeking patents in Brazil, the United States, Canada, Japan and Chile. Brazil currently accounts for 60% of the entire global SPC production market. Soy protein concentrate (SPC) is a product with a high protein content (above 60%). It is mainly used in aquaculture as a substitute for fishmeal in feed, in addition to pig farming, poultry farming, equine farming and cattle farming.
By: Eliza Maliszewski | agrolink
