Modified protein

Claim 1

A process for the preparation of functional protein, which comprises: (a) subjecting impure natural protein selected from the group consisting of whey, microbial protein and vegetable protein to a temperature of from about 40° to 150° C in aqueous medium until at least 50% of the ultimate protein capable of precipitation occurs; (b) separating said precipitated protein from said medium; (c) treating said separated protein in aqueous medium with a proteolytic enzyme at a temperature of from about 20° to 65° C for a period of up to 30 minutes until solution occurs; and (d) deactivating said enzyme, said enzyme being employed at a level, per gram of said separated protein on a dry basis, of at least about 240 HUT where said enzyme is a microbial acid protease, 300 PC where said enzyme is a microbial neutral protease, 2300 Delf Units where said enzyme is a microbial alkaline protease, 130,000 N.F. PU where said enzyme is a plant protease, and 150 Pepsin Units where said enzyme is an animal protease, said impure protein being such that in in an aqueous medium a solution or suspension is formed and said suspension must be such that a hazy or clear solution results from said proteolytic hydrolysis.