Nature is an absolutely inexhaustible source of proteins. In addition to soy, the most important source of protein, many other crops have now become the focus of industrial interest. Here too, GEA Westfalia Separator supports a process management system which, besides quality and quantity, places the main focus on reducing water and energy consumption. In addition to protein, the valuable carbohydrates of these plants can also be obtained efficiently.

 

Plants which contain protein and carbohydrate and are of industrial interest all over the world, such as lupines, lucerne, pea, rice and rapeseed are more and more frequently being joined by exotics like oats, amaranth, inca inchi or quinoa, the obtaining of starch being the focus with some of these plants.

 

Clover-like lucerne, for example, like other members of the pea family, is able to use symbiotic bacteria to absorb nitrogen from the air and thus form proteins independently of the nitrogen available in the soil. At some 20 percent of total weight, the protein content of lucerne is very high.

 

Lupines are likewise a key source of protein. This member of the legume family belongs to the sub-family fabaceae and originates from North America. Its high protein quality means that the imported soy and the grains obtained can be used as animal feed.

 

Process lines from GEA Westfalia Separator allow high-quality protein to be isolated from all the plants mentioned, special decanters and separators being used for extraction, concentration, washing and clarification; the special technical features of these machines extract the best possible quality and quantity from the plants – as is already standard for soy, rice or pea.