Although proteins from plant sources played a key role in the chemical industry a century ago,
Processing of agricultural raw materials such asrapeseed, results in a large amount of protein. Such proteins are a by-product of rapeseed oil extraction. Residual protein by-products - rapeseed meal and rapeseed cake - have so far been mainly used as food products in livestock production. But this use is limited due to the bitter substances they contain.
Due to its functional properties, suchAs the ability to form foams, gels and films, and to retain water, the protein fractions of rapeseed meal have enormous potential for a wide range of technical applications. They are ideal as additives for paints, varnishes, adhesives, lubricants, building materials, detergents and polymers.
Plant proteins open the door todevelopment of new, environmentally friendly biologically based products with improved properties. It also reduces our dependence on fossil resources and promotes sustainable production.
Andreas Fetzer, scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging
To harness the full potential of raspberry, scientistsconducted the research. The goal is to isolate proteins from rapeseed meal and cake, as well as to develop the necessary processes. In addition, biologists were responsible for protein modification and pre-formulation.
Also, as part of the study, the scientists analyzed the technofunctional properties of vegetable proteins from rapeseed - solubility, foaming and emulsification, as well as the properties of film formation.
After defatting the rapeseed, there are residues rich in protein (rapeseed meal and cake). Credit: Fraunhofer IVV.
Film-forming properties, in particular,performed particularly well. “When drying proteins dissolved in water to which a biologically based plasticizer has been added, the water evaporates in a Petri dish and the proteins cross-link, forming a stable film. Thus, proteins are primarily suitable as alternative binders in paints, wood stains or parquet coatings, which typically contain petroleum-based raw materials. Acrylates, for example, can be replaced by protein preparations,” explains Fetzer. In addition, the proteins exhibit the ability to bind dyes efficiently or act as barriers. This demonstrated an additional benefit of protein-based coatings, especially in the wood industry: the dyes effectively prevented the wood from bleeding.
Fetzer and colleagues have successfully recovered fourtype of protein through four completely different processes. Scientists defatted, ground and dissolved rapeseed cake in water. The mixture is then centrifuged to separate solids from liquids. Thereafter, the aqueous extract is purified. The recovered protein isolates have a protein content of over 90%.
Rolled rapeseed protein film:the film-forming properties of rapeseed proteins are of great interest for a wide variety of technical applications such as paints, varnishes, polymers, cleaning agents, lubricants or adhesives. Credit: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
The work of German scientists led to the creationpromising products, some of which are already available as prototypes. These include biodegradable films as packaging material for detergent bags, as well as fibreboard from production residues and binding agents modified with rapeseed protein. Fire-retardant insulating foams for the construction industry or molded foams for packaging, fiber protection and dye transfer inhibitors in eco-friendly laundry detergents, thickeners for lubricants or varnish binders and additives in all-purpose wood surface cleaners round out the list of innovative green products.  ;
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Meal is a by-product of oil extraction production. It is obtained after extraction of fat from oil seeds with organic solvents in distillers and evaporators.