SOLUBLE RICE PROTEIN CONCENTRATE

This invention concerns a process for preparing soluble rice protein concentrate with reduced levels of manganese, aluminum, selenium and phytic acid and improved digestibility from rice raw material comprising: digesting the raw material reduced in particle size to permit efficient enzyme action in an aqueous medium with an alpha-amylase enzyme at an operable pH and temperature for a period of time sufficient to solubilize a substantial portion of the rice starch and form a liquid slurry; heating the rice starch slurry at 105.degree.C to 130.degree.C for 30 to 60 seconds; separating the high protein rice flour from the rice syrup; treating a slurry of the high protein rice flour with a protease enzyme at an operable pH and temperature in an amount and for a period of time to solubilize the rice protein; clarifying the protease treated slurry to provide a soluble rice protein concentrate with reduced manganese; aluminum, selenium and phytic acid and improved digestibility. The soluble rice protein concentrate contains more than 16% protein on a solids basis, and has on a per gram protein basis, a manganese content of 50 microgram or less, an aluminum content of less than 15 microgram, a selenium content reduced a minimum of 25% relative to rice raw material and a phytic acid contest of less than 15 mg, and a protein digestibility of greater than 90%.