Innovative Valorization of Oat By-Products

Aim: Food loss and waste are significant challenges to the sustainability of food systems. This study aims to explore innovative approaches for reducing food waste and valorizing side-streams, focusing specifically on oat okara, a by-product of oat milk production. The aim is to extract and purify proteins from oat okara through enzymatic processes, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable protein source for various applications. Method: Oat okara was subjected to enzymatic treatment and hydrolysis using a pressure filter press. Enzymatic processes were optimized to achieve high protein yields with purity exceeding 80%. The hydrolysate was then concentrated using a rotary evaporator and purified through membrane filtration to remove impurities and smaller molecules. Additionally, a chromatography system was employed to further purify the protein fractions and isolate individual peptides. This comprehensive approach ensures the extraction of high-quality proteins suitable for various applications. Results: The enzymatic extraction and purification process yielded proteins with high purity (>80%) from oat okara. The pressure filter press efficiently facilitated enzymatic hydrolysis, resulting in a hydrolysate rich in protein content. Subsequent concentration and purification steps effectively removed impurities, enhancing the quality of the protein extract. Furthermore, chromatography enabled the isolation of individual peptides, further enhancing the value-added potential of the extracted proteins. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of enzymatic extraction and purification of proteins from oat okara, a by-product of oat milk production. The extracted proteins hold promise as sustainable alternatives for various applications, including food and cosmetic industries. By valorizing side-streams and reducing food waste, this approach contributes to the development of more sustainable food systems.