Control of particle size distribution during continuous heat-setting of meat analog
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorAlexander L. Liepa
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Abstract
A process for controlling the particle size distribution of a particulate meat analog formed from a wet, agglomerated textured protein during continuous heat-setting of the protein is disclosed. The improvement in the continuous heat-setting, preferably by continuous frying, of textured protein comprises feeding the wet agglomerate as particles to the heat source, e.g. a fryer, as a continuous layer of constant bulk density and thickness. The agglomerate is placed on a continuous belt within the heating unit via a feed belt. The particle size distribution of the wet analog and thus the heat-set analog is controlled by the ratio of the continuous heat-setting unit belt to the feed belt speeds.
Claims13
In a process for continuously forming and heat-setting moist agglomerated textured protein in the form of a particulate meat analog, the improvement comprising forming a continuous layer on a moving feeder surface as a wet slurry an agglomerate having a bulk density of about 0.45 g/cc to about 0.80 g/cc, said layer having a thickness of 0.3 cm to 3.5 cm, and then transferring the agglomerate layer by dropping said agglomerate onto a conveyor such that discrete particulates are formed and wherein said conveyor is traveling through a heat-setting zone, the ratio of the heat-setting conveyor surface speed to the feeder surface speed being from about 1.1:1 to about 5:1.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.