Patent Description:
A growing awareness among the public about healthy food and sustainable food sources has led to a rising interest in plant protein based foods. The proportion of people that reduce their meat consumption is steadily increasing. This change in eating pattern requires new products that fulfill the consumer demands for healthy and tasty products that replace meat and cheese and have a similar high protein nutritional value.

At present, meat substitutes do not fully meet consumer preferences with regard to sensory quality. In particular, the bite, taste and juiciness scores are low compared to meat. To obtain a larger market share, meat substitutes should preferably resemble a real meat.

Soy protein is the mostly used protein in processed vegetarian foods. However, the use of soy based foods is problematic due to allergenicity issues, genetically modified beans, presence of residual herbicides, and other health concerns including the abundant amount of hormones in soy based foods. This, together with drawbacks of other common vegetarian foods, raises the need for alternative vegetarian, safe and palatable products.

Chickpea, also known as garbanzo beans, is the second most important legume crop around the world. Chickpea is an annual legume crop grown in many countries around the world and a native to the Mediterranean region. Due to its high nutritious value, it became part of the diet in many developing and developed countries around the world. Chickpeas contain vitamin K, folate, phosphorous, zinc, copper, manganese, choline and selenium, as well as high levels of iron, vitamin B-<NUM> and magnesium. Besides being a source of valuable protein, vitamins and minerals, chickpeas are also rich in fiber and low in fat, and have been shown to have health benefits (e.g., lowering cholesterol damage).

<CIT> discloses food products having structures, textures and other properties similar to those of animal meat.

<CIT> discloses a chickpea soluble fraction enriched with nutritional components and a method of producing same. The application discloses a protein content of at least <NUM>% as compared to starting material (e.g. a final protein content of <NUM>% or more, whereas chickpea seeds contain approximately <NUM>-<NUM>% protein by weight). This publication discloses enzymatic digestions with a protease, amylase and phytase, as well as an optional heating step to denature starches and proteins.

<CIT> to one of the inventors of the present application discloses compositions, infant formulae and nutraceuticals based on whole seeds of chickpeas.

<CIT> discloses a method for manufacturing a soy protein concentrate having a low non-digestible oligosaccharide and high isoflavone content. The method includes the use of a membrane in an ultrafiltration process to separate non-digestible oligosaccharide from protein, while retaining isoflavones and saponins with protein.

<CIT> discloses a method for generating a protein concentrate comprising generating an initial alkalized slurry by combining flour, water and a base and generating a solubilized rich protein stream by separating the solubilized protein rich stream and generating a protein precipitate including an acid curd by mixing the de-oiled solubilized rich protein stream with an acid and separating the acid curd from the protein precipitate. The US application, published after the priority of the present application, may further includes the use of proteases.

<CIT> discloses a method for producing a debittered soybean protein concentrate by acidic treatment of the crushed material and then washing with water.

There is an unmet need for vegetarian protein concentrates that are suitable as a source material for a variety of food products having improved flavors and textures, as well as high nutritional value.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a debittered chickpea protein concentrate comprising a protein content of at least <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a water suspension of chickpea flour; (ii) debittering the flour under acidification to about pH <NUM> by mixing the chickpea flour with fumaric acid; and (iii) extracting the proteins from the product of step (ii) under alkaline conditions.

The present invention is based in part on the unexpected finding that producing chickpea protein concentrate by a method comprising a step of debittering with fumaric acid, provides a palatable, high quality protein concentrate useful as a source material for a variety of food products.

The debittered chickpea protein concentrate provided by the method of the present invention can be further processed to food products that possess textures and structures that resemble animal meat food and thus may serve as a healthy and tasty meat and/or cheese substitutes. Attempts to produce chickpea protein concentrate using hitherto known methods have been encountered by a bitter taste characterizing such preparations, and/or by the need to use and/or residual amounts of non-edible compounds. The protein concentrate described herein is essentially devoid of such bitterness.

The chickpea protein concentrate described herein is useful in numerous food applications to provide thickening, texturing, and structural properties to foods such as meat and cheese analogs. The protein concentrate can be emulsified to provide structure, which gives the protein concentrate a firm bite and a meaty texture.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of more than <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter. According to certain embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of more than <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% phytic acid. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% phytic acid. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% phytic acid. According to certain embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% phytic acid. According to certain embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% phytic acid. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate is essentially devoid of phytic acid.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate is essentially devoid of bitterness. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the protein concentrate has less bitterness compared to protein concentrates prepared with a process comprising a step of protein precipitation with an acid other than fumaric acid.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>/g saponins. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>/g saponins. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>/g saponins. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>/g saponins. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate is essentially devoid of saponins.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>% fat. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises less than <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% fat. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fat.

According to some embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to certain embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to certain embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to other embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to some embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fumaric acid.

According to some embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to a pH value of between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to pH <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to pH <NUM>. According to specific embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to a pH value no greater than pH <NUM>. According to additional embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to a pH value no greater than pH <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, step (iii) comprises the use of NaOH or KOH.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises adding antioxidants to the chickpea flour.

According to some embodiments, the method is carried out at a temperature below <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the method is carried out at a temperature below <NUM>. According to some embodiments, the method is carried out at a temperature of between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, the method is carried out at a temperature of between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, the method is carried out at a temperature of between <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, the method does not include adding digestive enzymes.

According to some embodiments, the method does not include adding proteases.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate has a neutral taste. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate has a palatable taste.

The chickpea protein concentrate produced by the method of the invention may be used as a food product. The food product may comprise at least <NUM>% chickpea protein concentrate, at least <NUM>% chickpea protein concentrate, or at least <NUM>% chickpea protein concentrate of the invention. The food product may be a meat substitute. The food product may be a meat analog, such as, beef, pork, lamb, chicken and fish meat analogs. The food product may be a milk or cheese substitute. The food product may be selected from beverages, snacks, bars, sports food, or medical food.

The food product may include between <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of lipid, between <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of lipid, or between <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of lipid.

The food product may include between about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight or between about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more binding agents.

The food product may include <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight edible fibers or <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight edible fibers.

The food product may have textures and flavors similar to pasta or noodles.

According to some embodiments of the method, the soaked chickpea flour has between <NUM> and <NUM> wt.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of concentrating proteins by a process selected from: membrane distillation, nanofiltration, or evaporation. According to certain embodiments, the method further comprises a membrane distillation process.

The proteins are precipitated during the acidification step. According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of separation. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the separation is performed by centrifugation. According to other embodiments, the separation is performed by a decanter. According to these embodiments, the separation step is followed by extracting to proteins using alkaline conditions.

According to some embodiments, the debittering step is followed by a step of separating a precipitate that was generated in step (ii) from the water suspension.

According to some embodiments, step (iii) is followed by an additional step of separation.

According to certain exemplary embodiments, the method comprises at least <NUM> cycles of debittering by fumaric acid acidification, followed by protein separation, removing the supernatant and subjecting the debittered material to protein extraction.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description and drawing.

<FIG> shows a schematic workflow of a typical manufacturing process of chickpea protein concentrate.

The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a debittered chickpea protein concentrate comprising a protein content of at least <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a water suspension of chickpea flour; (ii) debittering the chickpea flour under acidification to about pH <NUM> by mixing the chickpea flour with fumaric acid; and (iii) extracting the proteins from the product of step (ii) under alkaline conditions The protein concentrates are suitable for preparing meat substitutes having textures and flavors similar to meat. The protein concentrates disclosed herein are also suitable for preparing milk alternatives, protein shakes, sports nutrition, energy bars, snacks and medical food.

In some embodiments, the method of preparing protein concentrate further comprises a step of membrane distillation procedure. Advantageously, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing chickpea protein concentrates with higher yields and reduced level of bitterness.

Without wishing to be bound to any specific mechanism or theory, the debittered taste of the compositions disclosed herein are due, inter alia, to minimal hydrolysis of proteins during the process. It is widely accepted that hydrophobicity and molecular weight of the peptides in a hydrolysate contribute for bitterness. The bitterness taste is also due to the presence of saponins and other antinutrients.

As used herein, the term "legume" refers to a plant or fruit/seed in the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae).

As used herein, the term "chickpea" refers to any type of the species Cicer arietinum as well as progeny thereof produced by crosses with other species. The chickpea can be any modified variety obtained from any species of chickpeas such as chickpeas varieties Desi and Kabuli, such as Spanish Kabuli, <NUM> Kabuli, Desi <NUM>, Desi <NUM>, Hadas-Kabuli, and Desi <NUM>.

The term "chickpea flour" as used herein refers to a powder obtained by grinding chickpea grains or parts thereof. The flour includes partly or entirely milled chickpea grains or parts thereof. According to some embodiments, the flour is enriched with a variety of food ingredients, such as protein and minerals, which are either indigenous or externally supplemented.

The term "protein concentrate" as used herein refers to material obtained from a legume source upon removal of soluble carbohydrate and other constituents that has more than <NUM>% protein on a dry-weight basis.

As used herein, the term "chickpea protein concentrate" refers to chickpea protein-containing material that comprises more than <NUM>% chickpea protein by weight on a moisture free basis. The term "protein concentrate" as used herein also encompasses "protein isolate". Protein isolates are typically defined as materials comprising higher than <NUM>% protein by weight.

The term "debittered protein concentrate" as used herein refers to protein concentrates having less bitterness compared to protein concentrates produced by other methods. In some embodiments, the protein concentrates described herein have a low bitterness score as evaluated in a human gustatory sensation test. For example, the protein concentrates described herein have less bitterness compared to protein concentrates prepared with a process comprising acid protein precipitation with an acid other than fumaric acid. In some embodiments, the decreased bitterness is due to lower concentrations of specific components, e.g., saponins or hydrophobic peptides.

The term "neutral taste" or "neutral flavor" are used herein interchangeably and refer to a flavor that gives a minimized, mild and clean taste.

The term "palatable" is used throughout the specification to describe compositions according to the present invention with respect to their taste. Palatable chickpea protein concentrate according to the present invention are those compositions which are agreeable in taste or are otherwise pleasant-tasting.

As used herein, the term "protein" refers to a polymeric form of amino acids of any length.

The term "food product" as used herein refers to any article that can be consumed (e.g., eaten, drunk, or ingested) by a subject.

The terms "meat analog" and "meat substitute" are used herein interchangeably and refer to a product that is not derived from an animal but has structure, texture, and/or other properties comparable to those of animal meat.

The term "texture" as used herein refers to mechanical characteristics of a food product that are correlated with sensory perceptions of the food product.

As used herein, the term "structure" describes a wide variety of physical properties of a food product. Structure has been defined as the attribute of a substance resulting from a combination of physical properties and perceived by senses of touch, including mouth feel, and sight.

A debittered chickpea protein concentrate obtained by the method of the invention may contain a concentration of proteins that is significantly higher than the total protein concentration in the starting material.

According to some embodiments, the chickpea flour is defatted flour. According to some embodiments, the starting material is subjected to an oil separation. The oil separation can be performed with a solvent such as hexane, petroleum ether, or ethanol.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate is palatable. In some embodiments, the improved palatability is attributed to debittering with a specific acid. According to additional embodiments, the protein concentrate is characterized by a neutral taste.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of more than <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter. According to certain embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of more than <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter. According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate comprises a protein content of between <NUM> wt. % and <NUM> wt. % of total dry matter.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate is essentially devoid of bitterness. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the protein concentrate has less bitterness compared to protein concentrates prepared with a process comprising acid protein precipitation with an acid other than fumaric acid.

It will be understood that the exposure to acid and alkaline conditions is performed within limits that do not significantly degrade the proteins.

According to some embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to certain embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of between <NUM>% and <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to certain embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of about <NUM>% fumaric acid. According to additional embodiments, step (ii) comprises mixing with fumaric acid to a final concentration of about <NUM>% fumaric acid.

According to some embodiments, the soaked chickpea flour has between <NUM> and <NUM> wt.

According to some embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to a pH value of between <NUM> and <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to pH <NUM>. According to certain embodiments, step (iii) comprises alkalization to pH <NUM>.

According to some embodiments, subjecting the product to alkaline conditions comprises the use of NaOH or KOH.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises a step of protein concentration by a process selected from: membrane distillation, nanofiltration, or evaporation. According to certain embodiments, the method further comprises a membrane distillation process.

According to some embodiments, the debittering step (ii) is followed by a separation of the debittered material from the water suspension. According to these embodiments, the separated material is subjected to protein extraction. According to certain exemplary embodiments, precipitation is performed by centrifugation.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises subjecting the chickpea flour of step (iii) to a membrane distillation process.

The methods of manufacturing a protein concentrate described herein comprise acidification of liquid soaked chickpea flour by fumaric acid, which was found to be superior to other tested conventional acids. Most proteins are insoluble following this step. Acidifying with fumaric acid serves as a debittering step in which a variety of antinutrients are removed. Antinutrients are compounds that interfere with the absorption of nutrients and include, for example, phytic acid.

The alkalizing step is used for resolubilization of the proteins. In this step, remnants of insoluble starch and fibers are removed.

According to some embodiments, subjecting the product to alkaline conditions comprises the use of NaOH or KOH. According to certain embodiments, subjecting the product to alkaline conditions comprises adjusting the pH to <NUM> or higher. According to certain embodiments, subjecting the product to alkaline conditions comprises adjusting the pH to a pH value no higher than <NUM> or <NUM>. Higher pH may increase hydrolysis of proteins and accordingly, increased bitterness.

The method of manufacturing protein concentrate according to the invention may further comprise a drying step. According to some embodiments, said drying step is performed by spray drying.

The protein concentrate may be pasteurized before being dried. According to some embodiments, the pasteurization step is performed by jet cooking. According to certain embodiments, the pasteurization step is performed by steam-jacketed kettle.

A food product may comprise the chickpea protein concentrate produced by the methods of the invention.

Meat structured chickpea products may have structures, textures, and other properties that resemble those of animal meat. The products may comprise fibers and lipid content. They can be devoid of allergenic compounds and of substantial amounts of unhealthy saturated fats and yet provide a similar mouth feel as animal meat.

The protein concentrates may serve as a protein component in a variety of food products including shakes, beverages, sports food, snacks and medical food.

A chickpea food product may comprise at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% chickpea protein concentrate as described above.

Chickpea-based food products may comprise at least about <NUM>% by weight of protein. Chickpea-based food products may comprise between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of protein. Protein content of a food product can be determined by a variety of methods, including AOAC International reference methods AOAC <NUM> and AOAC <NUM>.

The chickpea-based food products may comprise lipids. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that lipids may prevent the sensation of drying during chewing. Examples of suitable lipids include docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, conjugated fatty acids, eicosanoids, palmitic acid, glycolipids (e.g., cerebrosides, galactolipids, glycosphingolipids, lipopolysaccharides, gangliosides), membrane lipids (e.g., ceramides, sphingomyelin, bactoprenol), glycerides, second messenger signaling lipid (e.g., diglyceride), triglycerides, prenol lipids, prostaglandins, saccharolipids, oils (e.g., non-essential oils, essential oils, almond oil, aloe vera oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, baobab oil, calendula oil, canola oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, evening primrose oil, grape oil, grape seed oil, hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, linseed oil, macademia oil, natural oils, neem oil, non-hydrogenated oils, olive oil, palm oil, partially hydrogenated oils, peanut oil, rapeseed oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, synthetic oils, vegetable oil), omega-fatty acids (e.g., arachidonic acid, omega-<NUM>-fatty acids, omega-<NUM>-fatty acids, omega-<NUM>-fatty acids, omega-<NUM>-fatty acids), and phospholipids (e.g., cardiolipin, ceramide phosphocholines, ceramide phosphoethanolamines, glycerophospholipids, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphospingolipids, phosphatidylserine). At least some of the lipids may be derived from plant. The lipid may be derived from any one plant source or from multiple plant sources. In some cases, the lipid is not derived from a plant source but is identical or similar to lipid found in a plant source, for example, the lipid is synthetically or biosynthetically generated but is identical or similar to lipid found in a plant source. The protein fibrous products may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of lipid. Lipid content of a food product can be determined by a variety of methods, including AOAC International reference method AOAC <NUM>. The meat structured protein products may comprise less than about <NUM>%, less than about <NUM>%, less than about <NUM>%, less than about <NUM>%, less than about <NUM>%, or less than about <NUM>% by weight of saturated fat.

The chickpea-based food products may comprise carbohydrate. A variety of ingredients may be used as all or part of the carbohydrate including starch, flour, edible fiber, and any combinations thereof.

According to some embodiments, the protein concentrate does not contain phytoestrogens.

The chickpea based products provided herein may include a moisture content (MC) of at least about <NUM>%. A high MC may prevent the sensation of drying during chewing. The chickpea-based products may include a MC of between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight. The hydrated protein fibrous products may include a MC of between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight.

The chickpea-based food products provided herein may include small amounts (i.e., <NUM>% or less by weight) of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, or other ingredients derived from animal (e.g., albumin or collagen).

The chickpea-based food products provided herein may include other vegetal proteins including, soy, barley, canola, lupin, maize, oat, pea, potato, rice, lentil, flaxseed, and wheat proteins. The chickpea-based food products may include up to <NUM> weight percent of non-chickpea vegetal proteins.

The chickpea food products may have eating qualities and mouth feels that are substantially similar to those of cooked animal meat.

The chickpea based food products may be gluten-free. The chickpea based food products may include cross-linking agent that could facilitate filament formation, including glucomannan, beta-<NUM>,<NUM>-glucan, transglutaminase, polyphenols, calcium salts, and magnesium salts.

Depending on the desired application of the product, the product will preferably also include one or more additives. A wide range of additives may be selected from: binding agents, sweeteners (including sugars), flavouring agents and essences, salts, emulsifiers, stabilisers, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, proteins, colourings, enzymes, flour agents, wetting agents, thickeners, preservatives, acidifiers, herbs, spices, hormones, oligosaccharides, lipids, or microorganisms amongst others. Such additives are known in the art. A useful reference is the <NPL>.

Thickening agents may be added to enhance texture characteristics, minimize syneresis and to prevent sedimentation. Conventional food grade thickening agents may be used. These include β-glucans, carrageenan, xanthan and other gums, pectin, guar locust bean and konjac.

Vitamins and minerals may be added as supplements or to meet recommended daily intake. Examples of vitamins and minerals that may be added are vitamins A, including all commonly used retinoids and retinol esters, the B vitamins, C, D, folate, various forms of vitamin E and other water or fat-soluble vitamins. Examples of minerals that may be added are calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron salts as well as various mineral preparations such as natural sea salt.

Chickpea based food products may be used for preparing nutraceuticals. Nutraceutical products can be designed to provide essential requirements to persons in need thereof. For example, providing vitamins to those with vitamin deficiencies, iron for anaemia, calcium for bone growth and density, omega-<NUM> for healthy vascular tissue and prevention of coronary heart disease and improved mental health, prebiotics that enhance the presence of microorganisms in the gut such as Bifidus sp. and Acidophilus sp. for gut or oral health, and hormones such as phytoestrogens which primarily function as antioxidants and/or estrogen mimics with attendant health benefits associated with lower estrogen levels.

The chickpea protein products may have any shape and form. Exemplary shapes include crumbles, strips, slabs, steaks, cutlets, patties, nuggets, loafs, tube-like, noodle-like, chunks, poppers, and cube-shaped pieces. The chickpea protein products may have the shape of crumbles with dimensions of between about <NUM> and about <NUM> width, between about <NUM> and about <NUM> thickness, and between about <NUM> and about <NUM> length, the chickpea protein products may have the shape of strips with widths of between about <NUM> and about <NUM> and lengths of between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, the chickpea protein products may have the shape of slabs with widths of between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, the chickpea protein products may have a thickness of between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, between about <NUM> and about <NUM>, or between about <NUM> and about <NUM>. The chickpea protein products may have the same thickness across at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, at least about <NUM>%, or at least about <NUM>% of their length or width. The chickpea protein products may have the same thickness across no more than about <NUM>%, no more than about <NUM>%, no more than about <NUM>%, no more than about <NUM>%, or no more than about <NUM>% of their width or length.

The chickpea protein products can be sliced, cut, ground, shredded, grated, or otherwise processed, or left unprocessed. The chickpea protein products may also be stuffed into permeable or impermeable casings to form sausages. The chickpea protein products may be shredded and then bound together, chunked and formed, ground and formed, or chopped and formed according in compliance with Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book (USDA, <NUM>) guidelines.

The chickpea protein products may be prepared for human or animal consumption. They may be cooked, partially cooked, or frozen either in uncooked, partially cooked, or cooked state. Cooking may include frying either as sautéing or as deep-frying, baking, smoking, steaming, and combinations thereof. The chickpea protein products may be used in cooked meals, including soups, noodles, burritos, chilis, sandwiches, lasagnas, pasta sauces, stews, kebabs, pizza toppings, and meat sticks. The chickpea protein products may be mixed with other protein products, including other plant-derived products and/or animal meat.

Examples of food products which can be produced include, flour, starch, leavened or unleavened breads, pasta, noodles, animal fodder, breakfast cereals, snack foods, cakes, malt, pastries or foods containing flour-based sauces.

The chickpea protein material composition may be used in emulsified meats to provide structure to the emulsified meat, which gives the emulsified meat a firm bite and a meaty texture. The chickpea protein material composition also decreases cooking loss of moisture from the emulsified meat by readily absorbing water, and prevents "fatting out" of the fat in the meat so the cooked meat is juicier.

The meat emulsion may also contain other ingredients that provide preservative, flavoring, or coloration qualities to the meat emulsion. For example, the meat emulsion may contain salt from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight; spices, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight; and preservatives such as nitrates, from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% by weight.

According to an aspect, a meat- or cheese-like food product may include at least <NUM>% protein concentrate produced by a method of the invention. The meat-like food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of protein, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of total carbohydrate, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of edible fiber, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of total lipid, and between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of water. The meat-like food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of protein, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of total carbohydrate, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of edible fiber, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of total lipid, and between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of water.

The food product may include between about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more binding agents. The food product may include between about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of one or more binding agents. The food product may include at least about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of binding agents.

The food products can optionally comprise at least about <NUM>% by weight of carbohydrate. A variety of ingredients may be used as all or part of the carbohydrate, including starch, flour, edible fiber, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable starches include maltodextrin, inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose, guar gum, corn starch, oat starch, potato starch, rice starch, pea starch, and wheat starch. Examples of suitable flours include amaranth flour, oat flour, quinoa flour, rice flour, rye flour, sorghum flour, soy flour, wheat flour, and corn flour. Examples of suitable edible fiber include bamboo fiber, barley bran, carrot fiber, citrus fiber, corn bran, soluble dietary fiber, insoluble dietary fiber, oat bran, pea fiber, rice bran, head husks, soy fiber, soy polysaccharide, wheat bran, and wood pulp cellulose. The carbohydrate may be derived from any one natural or modified natural source or from multiple natural or modified natural sources. In some instances, carbohydrate is not derived from a natural or modified natural source but is identical or similar to carbohydrate found in a natural source, for example, the carbohydrate is synthetically or biosynthetically generated but comprises molecules that have an identical or similar primary structure as molecules found in a natural source. In some instances, at least some of the carbohydrate may be derived from plant. For example, at least some of the carbohydrate may be derived from pea. The food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of carbohydrate. The food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of fiber. The food products may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of plant carbohydrate. The food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of plant starch. The food product may include pea starch. The food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of Pisum sativum starch. The food product may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of plant edible fiber. The food product may include edible pea fiber. The food product may include between <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>%, or between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of Pisum sativum edible fiber.

Examples of suitable binding agents include purees (e.g., bean puree, sweet potato puree, pumpkin puree, applesauce, yam puree, banana puree, plantain puree, date puree, prune puree, fig puree, zucchini puree, carrot puree, coconut puree), native or modified starches (e.g., starches from grains, starches from tuber, potato starch, sweet potato starch, corn starch, waxy corn starch, tapioca starch, tapioca, arrowroot starch, taro starch, pea starch, chickpea starch, rice starch, waxy rice starch, lentil starch, barley starch, sorghum starch, wheat starch, and physical or chemical modifications thereof [including, e.g., pre-gelatinized starch, acetylated starch, phosphate bonded starch, carboxymethylated starch, hydroxypropylated starch]), flours derived from grains or legumes or roots (e.g., from taro, banana, jackfruit, konjac, lentil, fava, lupin bean, pea, bean, rice, wheat, barley, rye, corn, sweet rice, soy, teff, buckwheat, amaranth, chickpea, sorghum, almond, chia seed, flaxseed, potato, tapioca, potato), beta-glucans (e.g., from bacteria [e.g., curdlan], oat, rye, wheat, yeast, barley, algae, mushroom), gums (e.g., xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, gellan gum, gum arabic, vegetable gum, tara gum, tragacanth gum, konjac gum, fenugreek gum, gum karaya, gellan gum, high-acetyl gellan gum, low-acetyl gellan gum), native or relatively folded (i.e., not fully in the native functional state but not fully denatured) proteins (e.g., fava protein, lentil protein, pea protein, ribulose-<NUM>,<NUM>-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase [Rubisco], chickpea protein, mung bean protein, pigeon pea protein, lupin bean protein, soybean protein, white bean protein, black bean protein, navy bean protein, adzuki bean protein, sunflower seed protein), polysaccharides and modified polysaccharides (e.g., methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, maltodextrin, carrageenan and its salts, alginic acid and its salts, agar, agarose, agaropectin, pectin, alginate), nut and seed butters (e.g., almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, macadamia nut butter, peanut butter, pecan butter, pistachio butter, walnut butter, pumpkin seed butter, sesame seed butter, soybean butter, sunflower seed butter), enzymes (e.g., transglutaminase, thio-oxidoreductase), prolamin, gelatin, egg protein, potato flakes, okra, tubers, fibers (e.g., psyllium husk), and derivatives and combinations thereof.

The food product may only include organic ingredients. In some cases, the food product includes no gluten and/or no soy.

The food products may have cooking times of about <NUM> or less, about <NUM> or less, or about <NUM> or less.

The following examples are presented in order to more fully illustrate some embodiments of the invention.

To remove chemical compounds that have a bitter taste, such as saponins, the chickpea protein was extracted in acid conditions. Chickpea flour was mixed with H<NUM>O or distilled H<NUM>O (ratio <NUM>:<NUM>) and brought to homogenization using a magnetic stirrer.

(MR3001, Heidolph instruments, Schwabach, GER). Sulfuric acid (H<NUM>SO<NUM>), phosphoric acid (H<NUM>PO<NUM>), hydrochloric acid (HCl), fumaric acid, or citric acid was used to adjust the pH to <NUM>. At this pH, most antinutritive and bitter components are soluble, whereas the proteins are insoluble. The composition was extracted on a magnetic stirrer for three hours, followed by centrifugation at <NUM> x g for <NUM> minutes. The supernatant was discarded, and the sediment was suspended and washed with water. Next, the mixture was centrifuged at <NUM> x g for about ten minutes; the sediment was weighed and stored for sensory evaluation. Table <NUM> shows the experimental design and results of the debittering process.

A panel of five experts evaluated all produced sediments. Bitterness was assessed using a descriptive test. The selection of the most neutral sediments was subjected to the second extraction step, the protein extraction. As can be seen in Table <NUM>, fumaric acid and HCl were regarded as the most acceptable in terms of bitterness.

The debittered sediments from example <NUM> were subjected to an alkaline protein extraction. Since fumaric acid and HCl were found to be acceptable in terms of bitterness reduction, they were subjected for further analysis. For extraction of protein, the sediments were dissolved in H<NUM>O at a ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>. The sediment-water mixtures were adjusted to different pHs (<NUM>-<NUM>) using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). After stirring overnight at room temperature, the mixture was centrifuged at <NUM> x g for <NUM> minutes. The content of the supernatant and sediment was evaluated. Approximately <NUM> of sample was weighted into dried petri dishes, and dried with open cover at <NUM> for one hour in a drying oven (Memmert GmbH & Co. KG, Schwabach). The petri dishes were cooled to room temperature in an exicator and weight loss was recorded. The drying procedure was repeated until there was no weight loss or the weight increased again because of oxidation processes in the oven. The dry matter content was calculated using the following equation: <MAT>.

The protein content in the dry matter was determined using the Kjeldahl method. Table <NUM> depicts the protein content (%) in the dry matter of the supernatant after centrifugation in the different trials. As shown in Table <NUM>, all protein extraction procedures resulted in dry matter having ><NUM>% protein content. In addition, the use of fumaric acid for the de-bittering process produce higher extraction yield at lower pH, as well as better taste. An exemplary workflow of the chickpea protein concentrate process is depicted in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
A method of manufacturing a debittered chickpea protein concentrate comprising a protein content of at least <NUM>% by weight of total dry matter, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a water suspension of chickpea flour; (ii) debittering the chickpea flour under acidification to about pH <NUM> by mixing the flour with fumaric acid; and (iii) extracting the proteins from the product of step (ii) under alkaline conditions.