review · Life
Rising global population and higher living standards are increasing the demand for protein, necessitating sustainable supply sources for human food and animal feed. Green biomass from dedicated crops or agricultural waste provides an alternative source of protein and nutrients. Developing extraction and precipitation techniques, including microwave coagulation, allows the recovery of chloroplast and cytoplasmic proteins to produce leaf protein concentrates and isolates. These concentrates serve as alternatives to animal proteins and supply vital phytochemicals, vitamins, and substances with nutritional and pharmacological effects, contributing to circular economy models. The ultimate yield and quality of leaf protein concentrates depend on several variables, including the chosen plant species, harvest timing, growing seasons, and specific processing methods.
Meeting expanding global protein demands requires alternatives to traditional animal farming and seed crops. Extracting protein from green biomass and agricultural waste supports circular economy goals by converting plant materials into nutrient-dense resources. These leaf proteins not only offer alternative nutrition for humans and animals but also supply valuable bioactive compounds and vitamins.
The processes identified relate to food processing and animal feed production, targeted at ingredient manufacturers and agricultural processors seeking alternative protein sources. The abstract outlines extraction approaches, such as microwave coagulation, and variables governing yield, suggesting the technology is at an applied research stage that requires careful selection of plant species and processing conditions before industrial implementation.
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It is necessary to develop and deploy novel protein production to allow the establishment of a sustainable supply for both humans and animals, given the ongoing expansion of protein demand to meet the future needs of the increased world population and high living standards. In addition to plant seeds, green biomass from dedicated crops or green agricultural waste is also available as an alternative source to fulfill the protein and nutrient needs of humans and animals. The development of extraction and precipitation methods (such as microwave coagulation) for chloroplast and cytoplasmic proteins, which constitute the bulk of leaf protein, will allow the production of leaf protein concentrates (LPC) and protein isolates (LPI). Obtained LPC serves as a sustainable alternative source of animal-based protein besides being an important source of many vital phytochemicals, including vitamins and substances with nutritional and pharmacological effects. Along with it, the production of LPC, directly or indirectly, supports sustainability and circular economy concepts. However, the quantity and quality of LPC largely depend on several factors, including plant species, extraction and precipitation techniques, harvest time, and growing season. This paper provides an overview of the history of green biomass-derived protein from the early green fodder mill concept by Károly Ereky to the state-of-art of green-based protein utilization. It highlights potential approaches for enhancing LPC production, including dedicated plant species, associated extraction methods, selection of optimal technologies, and best combination approaches for improving leaf protein isolation.
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DOI: 10.3390/life13020307
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