The presence
of
AC
during
protein
extraction
from
peanut
maintains
the
level
of
soluble
protein
at
low
concentrations
until
the
AC
becomes
saturated
with
protein.
Figure 4
illustrates
that
although
protein
was
being
progressively
extracted
from
the
peanut,
as
indicated
by
a
control
mixture
that
did
not
contain
AC,
the presence
of
AC
in
the
other
mixture
held
the soluble
protein
concentration
at
low
levels
until
the limited
amount
of
AC
became
saturated.
After
saturation
of
the
available
AC
with
protein,
the
soluble
protein
concentration
increased
as
additional
protein
was
solubilized
from
the
peanut
but
was
not
adsorbed
by
the
AC.
The
addition
of
a sufficient amount
of
AC (an 80:1 orgreater AC/protein ratio by mass)
at
the beginning
of
the
extraction
resulted
in
the detection
of
only
trace
amounts
of
soluble
protein
until
eventual
quantitative
adsorption
occurred.
The presence
of
AC
during
the release
of
protein
from
peanut
particles
can
effectively
scavenge
soluble
allergens
and
remove
them
from
solution.