A process for the fractionation of oilseed cakes and meals (e.g. rapeseed
cake, soybean meal, and cottonseed cake) is disclosed. This invention
describes a fractionation process, in which the said cake or meal is
subjected to enzymatic treatment with polysaccharidases with intermittent
wet milling, followed by heat treatment to facilitate separation of
insoluble from soluble phase by centrifugal forces. Sequential
centrifugation and ultrafiltration steps are carried out in order to
yield a fibre-rich fraction, at least three protein-rich fractions, in
the case of oilseed cakes at leas one emulsified oil fraction, a
sugar-rich fraction, and a phytate-rich fraction. This invention also
describes the use of the above-mentioned fractions in food, feed,
nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.
