Process for producing protein microparticles

The invention relates to a process for producing protein microparticles in dilute organic acid solutions and 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 and then diluting 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, scaffolds, which have potential in food, pharmaceutical and bio-medical application.