Unveiling the "Bulking Agent" in Meat Products: Non-Concentrated Protein
When shopping for sausages, meatballs, or luncheon meat, you may have noticed ingredients like soy protein or plant protein on the label. These terms often refer to a specific raw material known as non-concentrated protein—a cost-efficient ingredient widely used in the meat industry. Often called an “economical alternative” or “bulking agent,” it plays a strategic role in modern meat processing. What Is Non-Concentrated Protein? Non-concentrated protein is produced by grinding and screening defatted soybean meal, yielding a powder with about 65% protein content. Unlike protein concentrates or isolates, it does not undergo deep extraction or purification, which means it retains starches, polysaccharides, and other natural components found in soybean meal. You can think of it as a more refined version of high-protein soy flour that has undergone only basic processing. Key Characteristics: Low Functionality Defines Its Role In food science, “functionality” refers to a protein’s technical ...