Development of soybean soluble polysaccharide derived from "okara", and application as a functional food ingredient

Abstract

Soybean soluble polysaccharide (SSPS) is a water-soluble polysaccharide extracted from soybean "okara", which is the insoluble residue of soy protein production. SSPS consists of the dietary fiber from soybean cotyledon, and its aqueous solution has relatively low viscosity and high stability, even when heated under acidic conditions. As SSPS has various functions such as dispersion, stabilization, emulsification, adhesion, and film making, it has been used not only as a dietary raw material for fiber-fortified food, but also for many other food applications. In this report, basic characterizations and applications of SSPS as a functional food ingredient are summarized.