Maintaining Protein Integrity Through Process and Precision: The Role of the Laboratory at Pretoria Protein Company
AFMA Digital Magazine
Delivering consistent, high-protein soybean meal requires ongoing control, accurate data, and deliberate decision-making at every stage of the process. At Pretoria Protein Company, the laboratory is central to this approach.
Designed not merely to analyse the final product, the lab is integrated into the complete operational workflow, from intake grading to final dispatch. Its purpose is both to maintain control over the process and to test the outcome. Through regular sampling, real-time monitoring, and proactive adjustments, the laboratory supports the plant’s main goal: to produce a high-specification protein base for the animal feed industry.
All incoming soybeans are graded upon arrival. The laboratory conducts analyses on moisture, protein, and oil content, as well as other key quality parameters. This allows for beans to be stored by grade, giving the production team greater flexibility to blend batches for a more consistent and predictable input. This step is especially important because of the natural variability in soya crops across different seasons and regions. By achieving greater consistency at intake, the lab establishes a solid foundation for quality from the very beginning.
Embedded Monitoring Throughout Production
Unlike many other crushing plants, Pretoria Protein Company’s production model does not focus on oil extraction but on maintaining the integrity of the protein in the soybean meal. This is evident in how the process is managed and in how the laboratory operates.
Sampling is conducted hourly at various points along the production line. Tests for protein, fat, fibre, moisture, urease activity, and KOH solubility enable the team to monitor quality in real-time. This continuous flow of information allows for immediate adjustments, reducing the risk of deviation and ensuring the final product remains within the required specifications.
In addition to composition, key physical factors are closely tracked. Flake thickness and cracked bean size are monitored to ensure mechanical efficiency and product stability. These physical properties directly influence oil recovery, conditioning, and pressing performance, and are strictly controlled to maintain consistent output.
Standard oil analyses include testing for moisture and sediment, colour (red and yellow values), phosphatides, and rancidity. These tests ensure the oil meets the required standards for appearance, shelf life, and overall quality, thereby guaranteeing a safe and marketable end product.
Process Control, Not Just Product Sorting
Pretoria Protein Company follows a quality assurance philosophy instead of relying on end-point quality control. The aim is not to sort the final product into different grades after testing, but to manage the process so that every batch meets specifications from the start. At dispatch, a final check is carried out on each load to confirm compliance with the agreed specifications. A Certificate of Conformance (COC) is issued only after this check, providing customers with documented assurance of product quality and traceability. The lab also evaluates particle size distribution, a key factor for feed manufacturers. Uniform grinding enhances processing and formulation consistency, helping customers attain better handling and feed performance.
To ensure the reliability of laboratory data, the Pretoria Protein Company follows a process of result validation. Selected samples are routinely sent to accredited external laboratories for independent analysis. These third-party verifications serve as a benchmark, confirming that internal testing methods stay accurate, consistent, and in line with industry standards.
Skilled People, Reliable Results
A key factor for success in any laboratory is its staff’s capability. Pretoria Protein Company’s lab technicians are trained not only in technical procedures but also in interpreting results and understanding their effects on operations. This supports informed decision-making and prompt intervention when necessary.
In summary, Pretoria Protein Company’s priority is producing high-quality soybean meal, in addition to maximising oil yield. By focusing on preserving the full nutritional value of the soybean meal(rather than extracting oil at the expense of protein integrity), the process is designed to deliver a consistent, nutrient-rich product for monogastric feed.