Simultaneous Multiple Acervation Process
AssigneeKraft Foods Group Brands LLC
InventorsJimbay Peter Loh, Yeong-Ching Albert Hong, Yinqing Ma, Alice Shen Cha, Iksoon Kang
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Abstract
This invention relates to processes of preparing structured polymer matrix using two or more simultaneous multiple acervation mechanisms. In addition, the methods described herein provide flexible processes for forming structured polymer matrices from nearly any combination of polymers, preferably, although not limited to, food polymers. The simultaneous application of two or more acervation mechanisms unexpectedly gives novel matrices having improved texture and/or process efficiency that are superior to the polymer matrices produced by acervation mechanisms conducted individually or sequentially.
Claims30
1-5. (canceled)
A method for producing a structured polymer matrix, the method comprising:
- preparing two or more aqueous polymer solutions, each solution comprising one or more edible polymers, wherein the one or more edible polymers in each solution are capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism, and wherein conditions in each solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated in each solution;
- and
- combining the two or more aqueous polymer solutions to provide conditions whereby two or more acervation mechanisms occur simultaneously.
A method for producing a structured polymer matrix, the method comprising:
- preparing a positively charged aqueous solution having a pH of about 2 to about 5 and a temperature of at least about 160° F., wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism, wherein conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation is not activated;
- preparing a negatively charged second aqueous polymer solution having a pH of about 8 to about 11 and a temperature of at least about 160° F., wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism, wherein conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation is not activated;
- and
- combining the two heated polymer solutions to provide conditions whereby two or more acervation mechanisms occur simultaneously.
A method for producing a structured polymer matrix, the method comprising:
- preparing a positively charged first aqueous polymer-containing solution having a pH of about 2 to about 5, wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism, wherein the pH is less than the isoelectric pH of the polymer and conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated;
- preparing a negatively charged second aqueous polymer-containing solution having a pH of about 8 to about 11, wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism and conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated;
- heating the first polymer solution to a temperature greater than or equal to the temperature at which the first polymer would form crosslinks at a pH less than about 1 pH unit lower than the isoelectric point of the first polymer;
- heating the second polymer solution to a temperature greater than or equal to the temperature of the first polymer solution;
- and
- combining the two heated polymer solutions to provide a final pH upon mixing such that coacervation and thermal crosslinking mechanisms occur simultaneously.
A method for producing a structured polymer matrix, the method comprising:
- preparing a positively charged first aqueous polymer solution having a pH of about 2 to about 4, wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism and conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated;
- preparing a negatively charged second aqueous polymer solution having a pH of about 8 to about 10, wherein the solution comprises at least one food polymer capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism and conditions in the solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated;
- adding multivalent mineral cations to one of the first and second polymer solutions;
- heating the first and second polymer solutions to a temperature of at least about 160° F.;
- and
- combining the two heated polymer solutions to provide a final pH such that simultaneous isoelectric precipitation occurs simultaneously with ionic precipitation.
31-34. (canceled)
A structured polymer complex formed by a process comprising:
- preparing two or more aqueous polymer solutions, each solution comprising one or more edible polymers, wherein the one or more edible polymers in each solution are capable of undergoing at least one acervation mechanism, and wherein conditions in each solution are such that the at least one acervation mechanism is not activated in each solution;
- and
- combining the two or more aqueous polymer solutions to provide conditions whereby two or more acervation mechanisms occur simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.