A soy protein isolate that has increased amounts of isoflavones and
saponins and a high Nitrogen Solubility Index ("NSI") is produced by a
process that involves ultrafiltration and the avoidance of isoelectric
precipitation. The soy protein isolate has at least about 90.0 wt. %
protein of total dry matter; an isoflavone content of at least about 1.0
mg/g isoflavones of total dry matter; a Nitrogen Solubility Index ("NSI")
of at least about 75%; and wherein a solution of about 12.0 wt. % of the
soy protein isolate in water at a temperature of about 22.degree. C. has
a viscosity of less than about 500 centipoise (cp). The isolate is high
in saponins and has at least 2.0 mg/g soyasapogenols. The process for
producing the soy protein isolate involves removing fiber from a defatted
soybean material and obtaining liquor that is subsequently pasteurized.
Next, sugars and other small molecular weight components are removed from
the liquor using membrane separation with diafiltration while retaining
isoflavones and saponins and the resulting retentate is subjected to
pasteurization, and optionally spray dried.