How is beef protein powder made?

Beef protein powder is produced from beef that has been processed to remove most of the fat and carbohydrates, leaving primarily protein content. This process involves several key steps that transform whole beef into a powdered and consumable form that is high in protein and easy to digest. Here’s an overview of the process:

1. Raw Material Sourcing: The production of beef protein powder starts with the sourcing of beef. Typically, parts of the cow that are less desirable for conventional consumption (such as connective tissues and trimmings) are used, as they are still rich in protein (1).

2. Heat Treatment: The sourced beef parts are then heat-treated to remove fat and reduce potential pathogens. The heat treatment also helps to denature the proteins, making them easier to digest and to convert into powder form (2).

3. Enzymatic Hydrolysis: After heat treatment, the product undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis. During this step, natural enzymes break down the proteins into smaller peptide chains and amino acids, which increases the protein’s bioavailability (3).

4. Filtration and Purification: The hydrolyzed protein solution is then filtered to remove any residual fat and carbohydrates. Additional purification processes might be applied to remove other unwanted materials such as heavy metals and to ensure the protein is pure (4).

5. Spray Drying: The purified protein solution is then spray dried. This process involves spraying the liquid protein concentrate through a nozzle into a hot chamber, which quickly dries the liquid into a fine powder without denaturing the proteins further (5).

6. Packaging: The final step in the production process is packaging the beef protein powder. It is typically packed under nitrogen to preserve the quality of the protein and prevent oxidation (6).