Reference
Potato Protein Concentrate
**Potato protein concentrate** is a potato-derived protein ingredient with a lower protein percentage than potato protein isolate, retaining more of the carbohydrate, mineral, and other non-protein matter that isolation removes.
How it differs from isolate
The distinction between a concentrate and an isolate is one of degree, not source. Both are produced from the same starting material, but an isolate undergoes more extensive processing to strip away non-protein components, while a concentrate stops earlier and keeps more of them. The same logic applies across protein categories: Monash University notes that whey isolates undergo extensive processing so the final product is higher in protein, while concentrates are lower in protein and higher in residual carbohydrate.
For potato specifically, commercial potato protein isolates contain roughly 80–95% protein on a dry basis. A concentrate sits below that range, carrying a larger share of the matter that accompanies the protein in the original extract. For anyone reading labels to compare formulations, the difference shows up as a lower protein figure per serving and more non-protein content. A broader comparison of these trade-offs appears in our protein powder buyer’s guide.
How it is made
Potato proteins are extracted from potato fruit juice (PFJ), also called potato fruit water (PFW) — a byproduct of starch production. One characterization study examined protein concentrates isolated from potato fruit juice by precipitation with ethanol or ferric chloride, reporting detailed chemical composition and amino acid data and establishing the high nutritional value of these concentrates (PMID:19739640). The recovered protein fraction is concentrated and dried; how aggressively the non-protein fraction is removed determines whether the result is classified as a concentrate or a higher-purity isolate.
Protein quality
Potato protein contains all nine essential amino acids and rates among the highest of the vegetable protein sources on Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). For potato protein isolates, the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) has been reported as high as 100 (PMID:33133540). Because a concentrate retains more non-protein matter, its per-gram protein contribution is diluted relative to an isolate, though the underlying amino acid composition of the protein itself is the same. Digestibility comparisons have placed potato protein concentrate alongside soy protein concentrate in nitrogen and amino acid digestibility studies.
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