Protein powder is made by extracting and concentrating protein from various sources such as milk, plants, or eggs through a series of processing steps. The process varies slightly depending on the protein source:
Milk-Based Protein Powders (Whey and Casein)
- Milk Collection and Pasteurization: Fresh milk is collected and pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria.
- Separation of Curds and Whey: Enzymes and bacterial cultures are added to milk to curdle it, separating solid curds (used for cheese) from liquid whey.
- Whey Processing: The liquid whey is drained, pasteurized again, and sent for further processing.
- Filtration: Techniques like microfiltration and ultrafiltration remove fats, lactose, and other non-protein components to concentrate the protein.
- Evaporation and Crystallization: Additional moisture is removed, and lactose crystals form to prevent moisture absorption.
- Spray Drying: The concentrated protein liquid is dried into a fine powder.
- Flavoring and Packaging: Flavors, sweeteners, vitamins, or other additives may be mixed in before packaging for sale
Plant-Based Protein Powders (e.g., Pea, Soy, Rice, Hemp)
- Harvesting and Cleaning: Protein-rich plants are harvested and cleaned.
- Grinding and Extraction: Plants are ground into flour and mixed with water or enzymes to separate protein from fiber, starch, and fats.
- Filtration and Concentration: The protein liquid is filtered and concentrated to increase purity.
- Spray Drying: The concentrated protein is dried into powder form.
- Flavoring and Packaging: Additional ingredients may be added for taste or nutrition before packaging
Egg White Protein Powder
Egg whites are separated from yolks, liquified, pulverized, and dehydrated into powder. Flavorings and additives are often added to improve taste
Additional Ingredients
Many protein powders contain added sugars, artificial flavorings, vitamins, minerals, thickeners, or muscle-recovery compounds like branched-chain amino acids or creatine to enhance flavor, texture, nutrition, and shelf life
. In summary, protein powder production involves extracting protein from a source, purifying and concentrating it, drying it into powder form, and then adding optional flavorings or nutrients before packaging
