Alkali‐modified soy protein with improved adhesive and hydrophobic properties

Abstract Adhesive and hydrophobic properties of alkalimodified soy protein (AMSP) and trypsin‐modified soy protein (TMSP) on wood were investigated. Modifying soy protein (i) under moderate alkaline conditions (pH 10.0 at 50°C) and (ii) with trypsin, enhanced adhesive strengths (730 and 743 N, respectively) compared with unmodified soy protein (340 N). Hydrophobicities of AMSP, TMSP, and unmodified soy protein isolate by sodium dodecyl sulfate binding and 1‐anilino‐8‐naphthalene sulfonate methods were 7.6, 6.4, 5.0 and 39, 27, 13, respectively. Modified soy protein adhesives with higher hydrophobicities (AMSP and TMSP) had enhanced water‐resistance properties.