Cottonseed Protein - A Study of the Liquid Cyclone Process for Manufacture of Edible Cottonseed Flour

Examines the alternatives for the modification, utilization, or appropriate disposal of the cottonseed flour plant of the Plains Cooperative Oil Mill, Lubbock, Texas. The Plains plant, completed in 1973, was designed to produce an edible cottonseed flour which would retain the inherent functionality and protein quality of cottonseed protein and reduce the gossypol content to acceptable levels by separation of the intact pigment glands from the protein components of dehulled, ground seed kernels. Technical difficulties prevented operation of the plant on a sustained basis and A.I.D. was queried concerning purchase of part of the plant output over a period of time to provide financial stability during plant modification. A.I.D.'s study considers the technical status of the flour plant and the feasibility that similar plants might be installed and operated in LDCs; the capital and operating costs for manufacture of cottonseed flour; the potential markets for the flour in the U.S. and in LOCs; and plans under consideration by Plains or others to make use of the Lubbock Plant and the requirements for assistance to implement those plans. It is concluded that a plan of action could be worked out that would simultaneously allow for the development of domestic markets for cottonseed flour, exploration of foreign markets, and obtaining the necessary engineering cost and design data to build viable flour plants but implementation of the plan would require a net expenditure of $3.5 million.