AccScience Publishing / JBM / Online First / DOI: 10.14440/jbm.0034
Submit to JBM
Cite this article
4
Download
36
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
REVIEW

Next-generation extraction technologies for plant proteins: Enhancing yield, functionality, and sustainability

Reem Issa1 ,  Somaia Issa1 ,  Harsha Rajapakse1*
Show Less
1 Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science, Medgar Evers College, The City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11225, United States of America
JBM, e99010084 https://doi.org/10.14440/jbm.0034
Submitted: 10 April 2025 | Revised: 6 September 2025 | Accepted: 18 September 2025 | Published: 19 December 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
Cite
XML
Abstract

Plant protein extraction is vital in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and functional foods, where protein functionality directly influences downstream applications. Conventional extraction methods are limited by long processing times, high solvent consumption, and potential degradation of protein bioactivity, necessitating more efficient and protein-preserving approaches. This review (encompassing studies published from 2015 to 2025) evaluates advanced extraction technologies with emphasis on efficiency, sustainability, and preservation of protein functionality. Key strategies include ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) methods, as well as pulsed electric fields (PEF), supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), ionic liquid extraction (ILE), deep eutectic solvents (DES), pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), three-phase partitioning (TPP), detergent-assisted adsorption, and reversed micellar extraction (RME). These approaches employ physical, chemical, or enzymatic mechanisms to improve efficiency, minimize solvent use, and better preserve protein integrity. UAE, MAE, and EAE increase protein yields and improve functional traits such as solubility, emulsification, and antioxidant activity, while PEF and SFE mainly enhance solubility and purity. ILE and DES are notable for their environmental sustainability, whereas PLE, TPP, and RME combine high yields with faster processing and improved bioactivity preservation. These techniques have demonstrated effectiveness across diverse plant matrices, highlighting their versatility for both research and industrial applications. Emerging trends emphasize the optimization of extraction processes to balance high yields with protein bioactivity, offering valuable insights for developing efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly methods in plant-based protein production.

Keywords
Protein extraction
Ultrasound-assisted extraction
Microwave-assisted extraction
Enzymatic-assisted extraction
Pulsed electric field
Supercritical fluid extraction
Ionic liquids
Deep eutectic solvents
Funding
The authors thank the CUNY Research Scholars Program, which is funded in full by the City of New York (and the same with the CIRE program). We gratefully acknowledge the financial and institutional support from these programs, which provided valuable research training, mentorship, and resources that enabled the successful completion of this student-driven review article.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
References
  1. Kibar EAA, Aslan Ö. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of chickpea proteins and their functional and technological properties. Food Technol Biotechnol. 2024;62(4):488-500. doi: 10.17113/ftb.62.04.24.8502

 

  1. Karki S, Prathumpai W, Anal AK. Microwave-assisted protein extraction from foxtail millet: Optimization, structural characterization, techno-functional properties, and bioactivity of peptides. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;293:139312. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.139312

 

  1. Náthia-Neves G, Getachew AT, Ghelichi S, Jacobsen C. The use of green technologies for processing lupin seeds (Lupinus angustifolius L.): Extraction of non-polar and polar compounds for concentrated-protein flour production. Food Res Int. 2024;200:115434. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.115434

 

  1. Yu X, Gouyo T, Grimi N, Bals O, Vorobiev E. Pulsed electric field pretreatment of rapeseed green biomass (stems) to enhance pressing and extractives recovery. Bioresour Technol. 2015;199:194-201. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2015.08.073

 

  1. Zhou C, Adeyanju AA, Nwonuma CO, et al. Physical field-assisted deep eutectic solvent processing: A green and water-saving extraction and separation technology. J Food Sci. 2024;89(12):8248-8275. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.17545

 

  1. Orellana-Palacios JC, Hadidi M, Boudechiche MY, et al. Extraction optimization functional and thermal properties of protein from cherimoya seed as an unexploited by-product. Foods. 2022;11(22):3694. doi: 10.3390/foods11223694

 

  1. Aguilar-Acosta L, Serna-Saldivar S, Rodríguez-Rodríguez J, Escalante-Aburto A, Chuck-Hernández C. Effect of ultrasound application on protein yield and fate of alkaloids during lupin alkaline extraction process. Biomolecules. 2020;10(2):292. doi: 10.3390/biom10020292

 

  1. Badjona A, Bradshaw R, Millman C, Howarth M, Dubey B. Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of faba bean protein isolate: Structural, functional, and thermal properties. Part 2/2. Ultrason Sonochem. 2024;110:107030. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107030

 

  1. Badjona A, Bradshaw R, Millman C, Howarth M, Dubey B. Response surface methodology guided approach for optimization of protein isolate from Faba bean. Ultrason Sonochem. 2024;109:107012. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107012

 

  1. Fatima K, Imran M, Ahmad MH, et al. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of protein from Moringa oleifera seeds and its impact on techno-functional properties. Molecules. 2023;28(6):2554. doi: 10.3390/molecules28062554

 

  1. Garcia SR, Orellana-Palacios JC, McClements DJ, Moreno A, Hadidi M. Sustainable proteins from wine industrial by-product: Ultrasound-assisted extraction, fractionation, and characterization. Food Chem. 2024;455:139743. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139743

 

  1. Hadidi M, Ibarz A, Pouramin S. Optimization of extraction and deamidation of edible protein from evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) oil processing by-products and its effect on structural and techno-functional properties. Food Chem. 2020;334:127613.doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127613

 

  1. Hegde KR, Buvaneswaran M, Bhavana MR, Sinija VR, Rawson A, Hema V. Effects of ultrasound and high-pressure assisted extraction of pearl millet protein isolate: Functional, digestibility, and structural properties. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;289:138877. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138877

 

  1. Liu D, Di H, Guo Y, Betchem G, Ma H. Multi-mode S-type ultrasound-assisted protein extraction from walnut dregs and in situ real-time process monitoring. Ultrason Sonochem. 2022;89:106116. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2022.106116

 

  1. Zie M, Jacquet N, Karamoko G, et al. Characterization of a novel natural protein-polysaccharide complex from cashew apple bagasse and its functional implications. Food Chem. 2024;464:141861. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141861

 

  1. Sert D, Rohm H, Struck S. Ultrasound-assisted extraction of protein from pumpkin seed press cake: Impact on protein yield and techno-functionality. Foods. 2022;11(24):4029. doi: 10.3390/foods11244029

 

  1. Mirón-Mérida VA, Soria-Hernández C, Richards-Chávez A, Ochoa-García JC, Rodríguez-López JL, Chuck-Hernández C. The effect of ultrasound on the extraction and functionality of proteins from duckweed (Lemna minor). Molecules. 2024;29(5):1122. doi: 10.3390/molecules29051122

 

  1. Wang F, Zhang Y, Xu L, Ma H. An efficient ultrasound-assisted extraction method of pea protein and its effect on protein functional properties and biological activities. LWT. 2020;127:109348. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.109348

 

  1. Yildiz S, Karabulut G, Sıçramaz H. High-intensity ultrasound-assisted extraction for functionalized pistachio meal protein concentrate. J Food Sci. 2025;90(2):e70031. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70031

 

  1. Zhang X, Zuo Z, Yu P, et al. Rice peptide nanoparticle as a bifunctional food-grade Pickering stabilizer prepared by ultrasonication: Structural characteristics, antioxidant activity, and emulsifying properties. Food Chem. 2020;343:128545. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128545

 

  1. Zhu Z, Guan Q, Koubaa M, et al. HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS(2) analytical profile of extracts obtained from purple sweet potato after green ultrasound-assisted extraction. Food Chem. 2016;215:391-400. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.07.157

 

  1. Elhag HEE, Naila A, Nour AH, Ajit A, Sulaiman AZ, Aziz BA. Optimization of protein yields by ultrasound assisted extraction from Eurycoma longifolia roots and effect of agitation speed. J King Saud Univ Sci. 2018;31(4):913-930. doi: 10.1016/j.jksus.2018.05.011

 

  1. Navarro-Vozmediano P, Dalmau E, Benedito J, Garcia- Perez JV. High-power ultrasound pretreatment for enhanced protein extraction from lupin flour: Impact on yield, anti-technological and anti-nutritional factors, and techno-functional properties. Ultrason Sonochem. 2025;114:107251. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107251

 

  1. Duangjarus N, Chaiworapuek W, Rachtanapun C, Ritthiruangdej P, Charoensiddhi S. Antimicrobial and functional properties of duckweed (Wolffia globosa) protein and peptide extracts prepared by ultrasound-assisted extraction. Foods. 2022;11(15):2348. doi: 10.3390/foods11152348

 

  1. Aiello G, Xu R, Pugliese R, et al. Quality assessment of the protein ingredients recovered by ultrasound-assisted extraction from the press cakes of coconut and almond beverage preparation. Foods. 2022;11(22):3693. doi: 10.3390/foods11223693

 

  1. Li S, Ma H, Guo Y, et al. A new kinetic model of ultrasound-assisted pretreatment on rice protein. Ultrason Sonochem. 2017;40:644-650. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2017.07.010

 

  1. Lv S, Taha A, Hu H, Lu Q, Pan S. Effects of ultrasonic-assisted extraction on the physicochemical properties of different walnut proteins. Molecules. 2019;24(23):4260. doi: 10.3390/molecules24234260

 

  1. Noore S, Tiwari BK, Wanigasekara J, et al. Effect of conventional and novel techniques on extraction yield, chemical characterisation and biological activities of proteins from bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). Food Chem. 2024;458:139516. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139516

 

  1. Wang Q, Wang Y, Huang M, et al. Ultrasound-assisted alkaline proteinase extraction enhances the yield of pecan protein and modifies its functional properties. Ultrason Sonochem. 2021;80:105789. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2021.105789

 

  1. Hua XY, Sim SY, Henry CJ, Chiang JH. The extraction of buckwheat protein and its interaction with kappa-carrageenan: Textural, rheological, microstructural, and chemical properties. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;260:129427. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129427

 

  1. Kambuno NT, Louisa M, Wuyung PE, Silaen OSM, Supali T. In vivo toxicity study in Sprague-Dawley rats receiving different doses of Moringa oleifera extract. Open Vet J. 2024;14(9):2294-2309. doi: 10.5455/ovj.2024.v14.i9.18

 

  1. Cui Q, Wang L, Wang G, Zhang A, Wang X, Jiang L. Ultrasonication effects on physicochemical and emulsifying properties of Cyperus esculentus seed (tiger nut) proteins. LWT. 2021;142:110979. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.110979

 

  1. Quintero-Quiroz J, Celis-Torres A, Ciro-Gómez G, Torres J, Corrales-García L, Rojas J. Physicochemical properties and functional characteristics of ultrasound-assisted legume-protein isolates: A comparative study. J Food Sci Technol. 2021;59(5):1665-1676. doi: 10.1007/s13197-021-05126-0

 

  1. Sun Y, Zhong M, Wu L, Huang Y, Li Y, Qi B. Effects of ultrasound-assisted salt (NaCl) extraction method on the structural and functional properties of Oleosin. Food Chem. 2021;372:131238. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131238

 

  1. Qin N, Nie J, Hou Y, Shuang Q, Bao X. Ultrasound-assisted macroporous resin treatment improves the color and functional properties of sunflower meal protein. Ultrason Sonochem. 2023;102:106750. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106750

 

  1. Yang X, Li Y, Li S, et al. Effects of ultrasound-assisted α-amylase degradation treatment with multiple modes on the extraction of rice protein. Ultrason Sonochem. 2017;40: 890-899. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2017.08.028

 

  1. Zhao L, Ouyang D, Cheng X, et al. Multi-frequency ultrasound-assisted cellulase extraction of protein from mulberry leaf: Kinetic, thermodynamic, and structural properties. Ultrason Sonochem. 2023;99:106554. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106554

 

  1. Görgüç A, Bircan C, Yılmaz FM. Sesame bran as an unexploited by-product: Effect of enzyme and ultrasound-assisted extraction on the recovery of protein and antioxidant compounds. Food Chem. 2019;283:637-645. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.01.077

 

  1. Suárez-Hernández MF, Ramirez SGP, Castillo Cruz DDC, et al. Effect of integrated extraction techniques on the technofunctional and bioactive properties of brosimum alicastrum swartz proteins. Foods. 2024;13(18):2875. doi: 10.3390/foods13182875

 

  1. Fan W, Duan H, Ren X, et al. Optimization of ultrasound-assisted cellulase degradation method on the extraction of mulberry leaf protein and its effect on the functional characteristics. Ultrason Sonochem. 2023;99:106561. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2023.106561

 

  1. Tas O, Sumnu SG, Oztop MH. Effect of extraction methods and preheat treatments on the functional properties of pumpkin seed protein concentrate. ACS Food Sci Technol. 2024;5(1): 105-117. doi: 10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00601

 

  1. Batool Z, Sameen DE, Kamal MA, Shen B. Developing natural microcapsules by encapsulating peptides for preserving Zanthoxylum Bungeanum. Food Chem. 2024;463:141318. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141318

 

  1. Vo TP, Nguyen THP, Nguyen VK, et al. Extracting bioactive compounds and proteins from Bacopa monnieri using natural deep eutectic solvents. PLoS One. 2024;19(3):e0300969. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300969

 

  1. Aguilar-Toalá JE, Deering AJ, Liceaga AM. New insights into the antimicrobial properties of hydrolysates and peptide fractions derived from chia seed (Salvia hispanica L.). Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2020;12(4):1571-1581. doi: 10.1007/s12602-020-09653-8

 

  1. Farhadpour M, Hashempour H, Talebpour Z, et al. Microwave-assisted extraction of cyclotides from Viola ignobilis. Anal Biochem. 2015;497:83-89. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2015.12.001

 

  1. Vergara-Barberán M, Lerma-García MJ, Herrero- Martínez JM, Simó-Alfonso EF. Use of an enzyme-assisted method to improve protein extraction from olive leaves. Food Chem. 2014;169:28-33. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.07.116

 

  1. De Souza TSP, Dias FFG, Oliveira JPS, De Moura Bell JMLN, Koblitz MGB. Biological properties of almond proteins produced by aqueous and enzyme-assisted aqueous extraction processes from almond cake. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10873. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-67682-3

 

  1. Tang C, Wu L, Zhang F, Kan J, Zheng J. Comparison of different extraction methods on the physicochemical, structural properties, and in vitro hypoglycemic activity of bamboo shoot dietary fibers. Food Chem. 2022;386:132642. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.132642

 

  1. Lai XJ, Chen JQ, Nie J, et al. Enhancement of extraction efficiency and functional properties of chickpea protein isolate using pulsed electric field combined with ultrasound treatment. Ultrason Sonochem. 2024;111:107089. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107089

 

  1. Punzalan JM, Hartono P, Fraser-Miller SJ, et al. MicroNIR spectroscopy with chemometric analysis provides rapid protein content evaluation and prediction of semi-refined flaxseed protein extract produced via pulsed electric field (PEF)-assisted extraction. Food Chem. 2025;473:143062. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.143062

 

  1. Shah S, Hayden CA, Fischer ME, Rao AG, Howard JA. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of maize-derived HBsAg for the development of an oral vaccine. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2015;588:41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.abb.2015.10.015

 

  1. Teixeira GL, Ávila S, Hornung PS, Barbi RCT, Ribani RH. Sapucaia nut (Lecythis pisonis Cambess.) flour as a new industrial ingredient: Physicochemical, thermal, and functional properties. Food Res Int. 2018;109:572-582. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.04.071

 

  1. Severa G, Edwards M, Cooney MJ. Bio-oil extraction of Jatropha curcas with ionic liquid co-solvent: Fate of biomass protein. Bioresour Technol. 2016;226:255-261. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.11.125

 

  1. Zhang WD, Li Y, Wang K, et al. Effect of different ionic liquids and organic solvents on the structural and physicochemical properties of cellulose-protein complexes extracted from Se-enriched peanut leaves. Int J Biol Macromol. 2022;217: 171-179. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.07.050

 

  1. Li Y, Fang F, Sun M, et al. Ionic liquid-assisted protein extraction method for plant phosphoproteome analysis. Talanta. 2020;213:120848. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120848

 

  1. Hernández-Corroto E, Plaza M, Marina ML, García MC. Sustainable extraction of proteins and bioactive substances from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum L.) using pressurized liquids and deep eutectic solvents. Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol. 2020;60:102314. doi: 10.1016/j.ifset.2020.102314

 

  1. Lin Z, Jiao G, Zhang J, Celli GB, Brooks MSL. Optimization of protein extraction from bamboo shoots and processing wastes using deep eutectic solvents in a biorefinery approach. Biomass Convers Biorefin. 2020;11(6):2763-2774. doi: 10.1007/s13399-020-00614-3

 

  1. Yue J, Zhu Z, Yi J, Li H, Chen B, Rao J. One-step extraction of oat protein by choline chloride-alcohol deep eutectic solvents: Role of chain length of dihydric alcohol. Food Chem. 2021;376:131943. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131943

 

  1. Jiang X, Gao F, Ma Y, Huo N, Guo Y, Yu Y. Protein from tiger nut meal extracted by deep eutectic solvent and alkali-soluble acid precipitation: A comparative study on structure, function, and nutrition. Food Chem. 2024;452:139608. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139608

 

  1. Yue J, Zhu Z, Yi J, Lan Y, Chen B, Rao J. Structure and functionality of oat protein extracted by choline chloride-dihydric alcohol deep eutectic solvent and its water binary mixtures. Food Hydrocolloids. 2020;112:106330. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.106330

 

  1. Sánchez-Elvira A, Hernández-Corroto E, García MC, Castro- Puyana M, Marina ML. Sustainable extraction of proteins from lime peels using ultrasound, deep eutectic solvents, and pressurized liquids, as a source of bioactive peptides. Food Chem. 2024;458:140139. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140139

 

  1. Alici EH, Arabaci G. Purification of polyphenol oxidase from borage (Trachystemon orientalis L.) by using three-phase partitioning and investigation of kinetic properties. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016;93:1051-1056. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.09.070

 

  1. Panadare DC, Gondaliya A, Rathod VK. Comparative study of ultrasonic pretreatment and ultrasound assisted three phase partitioning for extraction of custard apple seed oil. Ultrason Sonochem. 2019;61:104821. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2019.104821

 

  1. Illera AE, Beltrán S, Sanz MT. Structural changes of a protein extract from apple with polyphenoloxidase activity obtained by cationic reversed micellar extraction induced by high-pressure carbon dioxide and thermosonication. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):13749. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50209-w

 

  1. Hadidi M, Khaksar FB, Pagan J, Ibarz A. Application of ultrasound-ultrafiltration-assisted alkaline isoelectric precipitation (UUAAIP) technique for producing alfalfa protein isolate for human consumption: Optimization, comparison, physicochemical, and functional properties. Food Res Int. 2019;130:108907. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2019.108907

 

  1. Shi X, Zhang Q, Yang J, et al. Simultaneous extraction of oil, protein and polysaccharide from Idesia polycarpa Maxim cake meal using ultrasound combined with three phase partitioning. Ultrason Sonochem. 2024;110:107043. doi: 10.1016/j.ultsonch.2024.107043

 

  1. Sun C, Wu W, Ma Y, Min T, Lai F, Wu H. Physicochemical functional properties and antioxidant activities of protein fractions obtained from mulberry (Morus atropurpurea roxb.) leaf. Int J Food Proper. 2016;20(Suppl 3):S3311-S3325. doi: 10.1080/10942912.2016.1238389

 

  1. Boukroufa M, Sicaire AG, Fine F, et al. Green sonoextraction of protein from oleaginous press rapeseed cake. Molecules. 2017;22(1):80. doi: 10.3390/molecules22010080

 

  1. Akyüz A, Tekin İ, Aksoy Z, Ersus S. Determination of process parameters and precipitation methods for potential large-scale production of sugar beet leaf protein concentrate. J Sci Food Agric. 2023;104(6):3235-3245. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.13210
Next article in this issue
Share
Back to top
Journal of Biological Methods, Electronic ISSN: 2326-9901 Print ISSN: TBA, Published by POL Scientific
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept