Executive Summary : | India is the second-largest producer of peanuts, producing over 10 million metric tonnes yearly. A significant portion of this produce is used for edible oil, with the by-product being peanut meal. This nutrient-dense by-product contains 40-50% protein with essential amino acids and is an affordable protein source. High voltage electrical discharge (HVED)-based extraction is a green technique that enhances yield while reducing solvent consumption, extraction time, and energy consumption. It is also non-thermal and prevents denaturation of the extracted protein. However, no work has been reported on using HVED-based protein extraction from peanut meal. The study hypothesizes that HVED-based extraction is a more suitable option for extracting protein from plant sources, but validation and optimization of HVED parameters are needed. The study will use peanut meal from sources like Karnataka Co-Operative Oilseeds Growers Federation (KOF) Limited and local oil refineries. Experimental protocols will be used to study the influence of various HVED parameters on extraction yield, and the HVED extraction process will be compared with conventional techniques like alkaline extraction and non-conventional techniques like microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The extraction efficiency of the combination of conventional and non-conventional techniques will also be explored. The research aims to investigate and optimize HVED-based protein extraction from peanut meal, potentially promoting waste valorization and providing an inexpensive protein source. |