A method of producing a denatured pea protein solution comprises the steps of mixing pea protein with an alkali solvent to provide a 1-10% pea protein solution (w/v) having a pH of at least 10, resting the pea protein solution for at least 15 minutes, heating the pea protein solution under conditions sufficient to heat-denature the pea protein without causing gelation of the pea protein solution, and rapidly cooling the denatured pea protein solution to prevent gelation, wherein at least 90% of the pea protein in the denatured pea protein solution is soluble. Also described is a method of producing microparticles having a denatured pea protein matrix, the method comprising the steps of providing a denatured pea protein solution according to the invention, treating the denatured pea protein solution to form microdroplets； and cross-linking and chelating the droplets to form microparticles.
