Removal of textured vegetable product off-flavor by supercritical fluid or liquid extraction

Abstract

The invention is a method for the removal of off-flavor from a textured vegetable product by extraction with a gas in the supercritical fluid or liquid state. The method for supercritical fluid extraction of off-flavors comprises the steps of: (a) extracting off-flavors from the textured vegetable product by contacting it with a supercritical fluid gas in a pressurized container; and (b) removing the gas and off-flavors from the textured vegetable product. Liquid extraction comprises the steps of: (a) extracting the off-flavors from the textured vegetable product by contacting it with a liquid gas in a pressurized container; and (b) removing the gas and off-flavors from the textured vegetable product. The temperature and pressure of the gas may be varied to maintain it in the supercritical fluid or liquid state. Carbon dioxide is a preferred gas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.