Production of mustard protein isolates from oriental mustard seed (Brassica juncea L.)

A membrane-based process to produce protein isolates from seeds of oriental mustard (Brassica juncea) was developed by modifying a method originally developed for rapeseed. The optimized process consisted of extraction at pH 11, ultrafiltration with concentration factor 4, diafiltration with diavolume 3, and precipitation at pH 5. The process, based on defatted oriental mustard seed containing 45-50% protein, recovered 81% of the protein in useful products: 47.3% in precipitated protein isolate (PPI), 3.8% in soluble protein isolate (SPI), and 13% in meal residue. Mass yields were 21.9% in PPI, 2.8% in SPI, and 38.4% in meal residue. The losses in the system included similar to 10% loss of nonprotein nitrogen, and < 9% into permeate and transfer losses. The PPI compared favorably with soy protein isolate in typical meat products in terms of color, texture, and flavor. The work confirms that oriental mustard is a potentially useful source of edible protein.