title: Extraction, composition, and functional properties of dried alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) leaf protein.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alfalfa is considered a potential feedstock for biofuels; co-products with value-added uses would enhance process viability. This work evaluated dried alfalfa leaves for protein production and describes the functional properties of the protein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dried alfalfa leaves contained 260 g kg-1dry basis (DB) crude protein, with albumins being the major fraction (260 g kg-1of total protein). Alkali solubilization for 2 h at 50 °C, acid precipitation, dialysis, and freeze-drying produced a protein concentrate (600 g kg-1DB crude protein). Alfalfa leaf protein concentrate showed moderate solubility (maximum 500 g kg-1soluble protein from pH 5.5 to 10), excellent emulsifying properties (activity 158-219 m2g-1protein, stability 17-49 min) and minimal loss of solubility during heating at pH ≥ 7.0.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is technically feasible to extract protein with desirable emulsifying and heat stability properties from dried alfalfa leaves; however, the dried form may not be a practical starting material for protein production, given the difficulty of achieving high yields and high-purity protein product. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Plant Polymer Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 1815 N. University St, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA.
authors.forename: Mila P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Hojilla-Evangelista
authors.affiliation: Plant Polymer Research Unit, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS), 1815 N. University St, Peoria, IL, 61604, USA.
authors.forename: Gordon W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Selling
authors.affiliation: United States Dairy Forage Research Center, USDA ARS, 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.affiliation: United States Dairy Forage Research Center, USDA ARS, 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Digman
mesh_terms: D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D000069599:Crop Production; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000737:chemistry*; D003956:Dialysis; D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005503:Food Additives / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005612:Freeze Drying; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000737:chemistry*; D015146:Midwestern United States; D010316:Particle Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry; D055550:Protein Stability; D012995:Solubility; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D005503:Food Additives; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014674:Plant Proteins, Dietary; D014867:Water
keywords: alfalfa; alfalfa leaf proteins; protein extraction; protein functionality