A novel emulsifier powder, method of its production and related uses and products

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more emulsifier(s) comprise one or more of monoglycerides, diglycerides, hydroxy carboxylic acid esters of monoglycerides, hydroxy carboxylic acid esters of diglycerides, lecithin, polyglycerol esters of fatty acids, polyglycerol esters of poly fatty acids, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids, hydroxy carboxylic acid ester of a fatty acid (preferably stearoyl lactylate), diacetyl tartaric acid ester of mono- and diglyceride, and mixtures thereof.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more emulsifier(s) comprise monoglyceride and lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more emulsifier(s) are provided as pellets or powder.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water content of the one or more emulsifier(s) is at most 5% w/w, more preferably at most 2% w/w, even more preferably at most 0.5% w/w, and most preferably at most 0.1% w/w.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp are provided as a powder.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp have a water-solubility of at least 30 g/100 g water at 25 degrees C., and most preferably at least 50 g/100 g water at 25 degrees C.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp comprise saccharide in an amount of at least 50% w/w relative to the total weight of the wsp, more preferably at least 70% w/w, even more preferred at least 80% w/w, and most preferred at least 90% w/w relative to the total weight of the wsp.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp comprise saccharide in an amount of at least 93% w/w relative to the total weight of the wsp, more preferably at least 96% w/w, even more preferred at least 98% w/w, and most preferred at least 99% w/w relative to the total weight of the wsp.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp comprise at least two saccharides.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the saccharide of the wsp is selected from the group consisting a polysaccharide, an oligosaccharide, a disaccharide, a monosaccharide, and mixtures thereof.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the saccharide of the wsp comprises, or even essentially consists of, polysaccharides.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the saccharide the wsp comprises, or even essentially consists of, disaccharide.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the saccharide comprises, or even essentially consists of, monosaccharide.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water content of the wsp is at most 5% w/w, more preferably at most 2% w/w, even more preferably at most 0.5% w/w, and most preferably at most 0.1% w/w.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more emulsifier(s) contribute with 15-45% w/w of the mixture, more preferably 17-40% w/w, even more preferably 20-35% w/w, and most preferably 21-30% w/w of the mixture.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wsp contribute with 35-85% w/w of the mixture, more preferably 40-83% w/w, even more preferably 45-80% w/w, and most preferably 50-79% w/w of the mixture.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water content of the mixture is at most 5% w/w, more preferably at most 2% w/w, even more preferably at most 0.5% w/w, and most preferably at most 0.1% w/w.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protein content of the mixture is at most 5% w/w, more preferably at most 2% w/w, even more preferably at most 0.5% w/w, and most preferably at most 0.1% w/w.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizer content of the mixture is at most 5% w/w, more preferably at most 2% w/w, even more preferably at most 0.5% w/w, and most preferably at most 0.1% w/w.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stabilizer comprises at least one stabilizer selected from the group consisting of alginate, carboxymethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, tara gum, agar, gelatine, gum acacia, pectin, guar gum, locust bean gum, gum tragacanth, xanthan, carrageenan, semi-refined carrageenan, eucheuma seaweed, semi-refined seaweed, semi-refined carrageenan, carob gum, and mixtures thereof.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the wsp during step b) is at least 10 degrees C. lower than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s), more preferably at least 15 degrees C. lower than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s), and most preferably at least 20 degrees C. lower than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s).

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the wsp during step b) is at most 60 degrees C., more preferably at most 55 degrees C., even more preferably at most 50 degrees C., and most preferably at most 45 degrees C.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the wsp during step b) is in the range of −10 to 60 degrees C., more preferably 0 to 55 degrees C., even more preferably 2-50 degrees C., and most preferably in the range of 2-45 degrees C.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b) involves contacting the wsp in solid form with the one or more emulsifier(s) in solid form.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b) involves contacting the wsp in solid form with the one or more emulsifier(s) in softened form.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b) involves contacting the wsp in solid form with the one or more emulsifier(s) in melted form.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s) when added in step b) is at least 2 degrees C. higher than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s), more preferably at least 4 degrees C. higher than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s), and most preferably at least 10 degrees C. higher than the melting temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s).

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s) when added in step b) is at least 65 degrees C., more preferably at least 70 degrees C., even more preferably at least 75 degrees C., and most preferably at least 80 degrees C.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s) when added in step b) is in the range of 65 to 200 degrees C., more preferably 70 to 150 degrees C., even more preferably 75-100 degrees C., and most preferably in the range of 75-90 degrees C.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature of the one or more emulsifier(s) when added in step b) is substantially the same as the temperature of the wsp.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b) involves mixing the wsp, and more preferably high shearing mixing, while and/or after the one or more emulsifier(s) are added.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b) involves mixing, and more preferably high shearing mixing, while the one or more emulsifier(s) are added.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing of step b), and more preferably high shearing mixing, is obtained by a rotor-stator-based shearing system, a high shear blade system, or similar equipment.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising step c) of cooling the mixture.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising step d) involving particle size reduction, preferably operated to obtain a modified mixture wherein at least 80% w/w of the particles of the mixture have a particle size in the range of 100 micron-1000 micron.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising step d) involving particle size reduction, preferably operated to obtain a modified mixture wherein at least 90% w/w of the particles of the mixture have a particle size in the range of 100 micron-1000 micron.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising step d) involving sifting the mixture, preferably after particle size reduction.

The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step e) of packaging the obtained product of the method, e.g. the cooled mixture obtained from step c) or the processed mixture obtained from step d).