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The world faces many critical challenges in food security, including burgeoning population growth, the looming specter of climate change, rampant land degradation, diminishing water resources, and unsustainable agricultural practices. Increasing environmental consciousness, heightened awareness of animal welfare, health considerations, and a growing desire for sustainable dietary choices have precipitated a surge in demand for plant-based proteins. The food industry is actively responding to this burgeoning trend by expanding its repertoire of plant-based protein offerings and investing substantially in research and development efforts. However, plant-based proteins encounter unique challenges, ranging from sensory attributes to nutritional profiles, solubility issues, textural and structural complexities, allergenic potential, and concerns regarding supply chain sustainability. To surmount these obstacles, a cocktail of innovative formulation techniques, strategic fortification, optimization of processing conditions, incorporation of stabilizing agents, and vigilant allergen management is required. This concise review offers a broad perspective on current scientific knowledge regarding plant-based foods, highlighting key areas that warrant additional research. The focus is specifically on plant ingredients' chemical, physical, and functional attributes. It delves into processing techniques that can be utilized to convert these ingredients into consumable products. The exploration extends to the scientific intricacies of crafting familiar plant-based alternatives such as meat, eggs, and milk analogs. By shedding light on the challenges encountered and proposing strategies to optimize plant proteins, our aim is to actively participate in the ongoing discourse on food security amid the dynamic changes in our world.
Karabulut et al. (Tue,) studied this question.