Process for producing protein microparticles

The invention relates to a process for producing protein microparticles in dilute organic acid solutions, without the presence of an alcohol such as ethanol. The microparticles are formed by dissolving a cereal prolamin protein in a concentrated organic acid solution with agitation, followed by dilution of the solution with an aqueous solution. Protein microparticles with vacuoles are then formed. The protein microparticles may be used to form powders, films, coatings, matrices, and scaffolds, which have potential in food, pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.