In order to explore the effect of water during extrusion process, soybean protein isolate (SPI) was extruded using a pilot-scale twin-screw extruder at 28%, 36%, 44%, 52% and 60% moisture content and 140, 150 and 160 degrees C cooking temperature. The extrusion system parameters like in-line viscosity at die, mean residence time and specific mechanical energy (SME), product textural properties including tensile strength, hardness, chewiness and degree of texturization, and the molecular weight distribution characterized by SDS-PAGE were investigated. And the interrelationship between system parameters and product properties were analyzed. The results showed that moisture content was a more important factor on system parameters and product properties than cooking temperature. Higher moisture content resulted in lower viscosity of dough in the extruder, shorter residence time and lower conversion ratio of extruder mechanical energy into heat energy, finally reducing significantly the tensile strength, hardness, chewiness and the degree of aggregation. The data from extrusion system parameters and product properties correlate well and could be used to explain and control the characteristics of extrudate. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.