The effects of irradiation on the functional and structural characteristics of soy protein isolates were studied. Soymilk was irradiated at 1, 5, and l0kGy, after which soy protein isolates were prepared. The functional properties of soy protein isolates were examined including solubility, emulsion capacity and stability, foam capacity and stability, structural properties as represented by SDS-PAGE pattern, and secondary and tertiary structures. The solubility and emulsion capacity were increased by radiation treatment at 1kGy however the values were adversely affected again as dosage was increased above 5kGy. As irradiation dosage increased, an increase of foaming capacity at 1kGy and a decreasing turnover afterwards were also noted in foaming capacity, although the differences were not statistically significant. The SDS-PAGE pattern showed fragmentation and aggregation of protein molecules as affected by irradiation in proportion to the dosage increase. The results of CD and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed increased aperiodic structure contents with the dosage increase. It was assumed that irradiation dosagefrom 5 to l0kGy could initiate minimal denaturation of protein in various foods compared to general heat treatment.