Extraction of protein from expeller‐ and solvent‐extracted coconut meal by dilute acid, alkali, and salt solutions

Abstract

AbstractThe extractability of protein (nitrogen) from poonac (the press‐cake left after extraction of oil from dried coconut kernel) with dilute aqueous hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, and salt solutions has been investigated. Experiments were carried out on both expeller poonac and solvent‐extracted poonac, the protein of the former being more soluble. Approximately 40% and 55% of the poonac protein nitrogen was extractable with 0.15% aqueous acid and alkali, respectively, under optimum conditions. Dilute salt solutions were found to have a comparatively poor solubilising effect under the conditions employed. Increasing the fat content of expeller poonac to 10% increased the nitrogen extracted by acid but not by alkali solutions.