Utilization of wild apricot kernel press cake for extractionof protein isolate
P. C. Sharma & B. M. K. S. Tilakratne & Anil Gupta
Abstract The kernels of apricot (Prunus armeniaca)stones are utilized for extraction of oil. The press cake leftafter extraction of oil was evaluated for preparation ofprotein isolate for its use in food supplementation. Theapricot kernels contained 45–50% oil, 23.6–26.2% protein,4.2% ash, 5.42% crude fibre, 8.2% carbohydrates and90 mg HCN/100 g kernels, while press cake obtained afteroil extraction contained 34.5% crude protein, which can beutilized for preparation of protein isolates. The methodstandardized for extraction of protein isolate broadlyconsisted of boiling the press cake with water in 1:20 (w/v)ratio for 1 h, raising pH to 8 and stirring for a few minfollowed by filtration, coagulation at pH 4 prior to sieving andpressing of coagulant for overnight and drying followed bygrinding which resulted in extraction of about 71.3% of theprotein contained in the press cake. The protein isolatecontained 68.8% protein, 6.4% crude fat, 0.8% ash, 2.2%crude fibre and 12.7% carbohydrates. Thus the apricot kernelpress cake can be utilized for preparation of protein isolate toimprove the nutritional status of many food formulations.
Keywords Apricot kernels . Press cake . Crude protein .Protein isolate . HCN