M odification of seed composition for food, feed, and industrial uses of soybeans. From a crop with no significant economic value at the beginning of the twentieth century, soybeans have evolved to the position of the number two agricultural cash crop in the United States. These proteins serve as storage depots for reduced nitrogen in quiescent seeds, and are rapidly mobilized during germination. Because of their abundance, these two components are largely responsible for the protein nutritive value of soybeans. Soybeans are an important source of dietary protein and edible oil throughout the world.
Soybean oil accounts for approximately one-third of the world's annual edible oil production.
After crushing the seeds to remove the oil, the protein-rich meal remains. The domestic production of soy meal in 1999 was approximately 38 million tons. Soybean Meal Composition Soybean meal is a source of concentrated high quality protein. In addition, it is an excellent energy source, and at the same time is lower in crude fiber than other oilseed meals. The amino acid composition of soybean meal is relatively balanced.