SUMMARY, CONCLUSION(S) AND RECOMMENDATION(S)
The study investigated the possibility of producing protein-isoflavone enriched soymilk
by traditional technologies, but with acceptable sensory qualities based on the hypothesis that
protein and isoflavone can be simultaneously increased in soymilk using only food grade soy
germ incorporated into soymilk. A conclusion of great importance that can be drawn from this
study is that food grade soy germ incorporated into soymilk can successfully enhance isoflavone
contents in soymilk, but may or may not necessarily enhance the protein content. The above
investigations notwithstanding the extent and application of the results went beyond what may be
attributed to processing and product optimization of the PIE soymilk beverages. The results thus
far have made a definite demonstration that, incorporating soy germ into soymilk adequately
meets the recommended FDA soy protein and isoflavone intake per day in approximately 1
serving down from 1.5 or 2.0 servings for isoflavone, and in about 3 servings give or take, down
from 3.5 or 4 servings from commercial products.
It was evident therefore that since, traditional processing was applied in a partial
industrial production setting; processing conditions as observed do have significant but varied
effect on final composition and quality of soymilk. Far more than processing conditions is the
composition of the starting material that may dictate in part the final composition of the product.
Incorporating soy germ into soymilk at unconventional stages in the production cycle yielded
lower isoflavone and protein content compared to a soy germ incorporated milk particularly at
the start (soaking) of the production cycle. Thus, this route is the optimal process method for
incorporating soy germ into soy milk. Processing conditions with this route would comprise
short heating time (10 min), high temperature (100oC), with long cooking time of the raw slurry
(20 min) at same temperature, then homogenize and pasteurize at same temperature at 4000psi.