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 or
greater 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.