Predigestion of soybean proteins with immobilized trypsin for infant formula

Soybean protein isolates of low soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) residue were prepared by acidic precipitation of soybean flour water extracts (0.8-1.2%) at pH 5.0, followed by acidic washing at this pH and affinity adsorption of residual STI with immobilized trypsin on polystyrene anion-exchange resin GM 201. After heat treatment, soybean protein isolates were subjected to controlled hydrolysis with the immobilized trypsin. Then, the predigested soybean protein was prepared. The predigested soybean protein was free of STI activity, and its solubility at acidic pH range was greatly increased. Sedimentation test showed that it formed a much finer clot at pH 4.5 than that of untreated soybean protein. The pepsin digestibility index at pH 4.0 and chymotrypsin digestibility index at pH 8.0 were obviously improved. These results suggested that the predigested soybean protein prepared by this method may be used in infant formulas.