Methods are disclosed herein to extract, concentrate and fractionate
proteins and protein-associated complexes with other polymers from
soybeans, peanuts, rape, canola, cottonseeds, peas, wheat and other plant
materials, based on a principle of cryoprecipitation. The disclosed
methods involve no or minimal uses of chemicals, and generate a minimal
volume of waste streams. The resulting protein concentrates or isolates
have excellent functionality, superior nutritional quality, attractive
appearance and mild taste. Based on the sample principle of
cryoprecipitation, methods also are also disclosed to extract and
concentrate chemical components from living tissues, especially some
nutraceutical or phytochemical components from plant materials.