What’s inside the eBook
In this guide, we’ll examine the proteins that make soybean meal so valuable and discuss how you can fine-tune your extraction system to protect these prized polypeptides.
Proteins are foundational to our existence—as suggested by their name, which was derived from the Greek word “proteios,” meaning first or most important. Found in every organism on earth, proteins make up the structural elements and activities of every cell in our bodies.
Changes in a protein’s physical environment can unfold its unique structure or break its delicate bonds, causing what’s known as denaturation. This changes the shape of the protein, which, in turn, can limit its functionality. Changes in pH level and exposure to alcohol or heat can all cause protein denaturation.
With so many factors at play in determining the amino acid profile of soybean meal—from plant genetics and growing conditions to processing methods and overall heat exposure—processors rely on several different tests to monitor soybean meal protein quality.