This study was conducted to improve the functional properties of soybean protein isolate by dimethylglutarylation and acetylation. Amino acid composition and solubility of modified soybean protein by dimethylglutarylation were not changed, but lysine and trypsin inhibitor activity was decreased an isoelectric point was moved from pH5 to pH4 as a result of modification. Emulsification capacity and stability, foaming capacity and thermal stability were increased by the modification. In that 91% dimethylglutarylated protein did not coagulate when heating at $100^{circ}C$ for 20 min. while its foaming stability was decreased. Whereas specific gravity was decreased by the modification of the soybean protein, relative viscosity and whiteness were improved. Generally, dimethylglutarylation produced more conformational changes in protein system than did in acetylation.