Livestock meat-like food composition, and livestock meat-like processed food using the same

Abstract

To provide a meat-like food composition which has an excellent firm texture according to contained albumen and also is excellent in water holding property and workability, and a meat-like processed food using thereof.SOLUTION: A meat-like food composition contains at least one kind of cellulose additive chosen from among plant-derived protein, albumen, carboxymethyl-cellulose, powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofiber, and the content of meat material in the meat-like food composition is 30 mass% or less.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a livestock meat-like food composition containing a plant-derived protein, egg white, and at least one cellulose additive selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, powdered cellulose, and cellulose nanofibers, and a livestock meat-like processed food using the same.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, particularly with the increase in population and expansion of income in emerging countries, the demand for livestock meat raw materials has been continuously expanding, and there are concerns about a shortage in the supply of livestock meat raw materials in the future. Furthermore, livestock meat-like foods that use little or no livestock meat raw materials containing a large amount of plant-based raw materials such as soy-based materials and grains, due to religious reasons, personal beliefs, or health concerns, have attracted attention.

[0003] As such livestock meat-like foods, for example, livestock meat-like processed foods obtained by mixing a specific tissue-like soy protein as a binding raw material and subjecting it to molding and heating have been proposed (Patent Document 1), and a hamburger-like food for dysphagia patients containing a tissue-like soy protein containing starch and a soy protein material, and an emulsion containing isolated soy protein, water, and oil has been proposed (Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in these conventionally known proposals, when the blending amount of the livestock meat raw material is reduced, a livestock meat-like texture cannot be obtained, or stickiness and pastiness are caused by the added starch, so improvement has been desired.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a livestock meat-like food composition that includes egg white and has an excellent firm texture, and further has excellent water retention and workability, and a livestock meat-like processed food using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the problems can be solved by the following (1) to (9). (1) A livestock meat-like food composition containing a plant-derived protein, egg white, and at least one cellulose additive selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, powdered cellulose, and cellulose nanofibers, wherein the content of the livestock meat material is 30% by mass or less. A livestock meat-like food composition. (2) The livestock meat-like food composition according to (1), containing a cellulose additive containing at least powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofibers. (3) The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of (1) to (2), wherein the cellulose nanofiber is a chemically modified cellulose nanofiber. (4) The livestock meat-like food composition according to (3), wherein the chemically modified cellulose nanofiber is an oxidized cellulose nanofiber having an amount of carboxyl groups of 0.5 mmol / g to 3.0 mmol / g based on the absolute dry weight of the chemically modified cellulose nanofiber. (5) The livestock meat-like food composition according to (3), wherein the chemically modified cellulose nanofiber is a carboxymethylated cellulose nanofiber having a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.01 to 0.50 per glucose unit of the chemically modified cellulose nanofiber. (6) The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the powdered cellulose satisfies the following conditions (A) to (E). (A) The average particle diameter is 5 to 75 μm. (B) The powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 100 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 45.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (C) The powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 200 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 25.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (D) The powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 300 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 12.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (E) The powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 600 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 2.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (7) The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the powdery cellulose has an average degree of polymerization of 100 to 2500 and a crystallinity of 60 to 90%. (8) The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that the plant-derived protein is soy-derived protein. (9) A livestock meat-like processed food containing the livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of (1) to (8).

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a livestock meat-like food composition that has a firm texture by containing egg white, is excellent in water retention and workability, and a livestock meat-like processed food using the same.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the details of the present invention will be described. However, unless otherwise specified, descriptions such as "AA to BB%" represent "AA% or more and BB% or less".

[0010] That is, the present invention is a livestock meat-like food composition containing a plant-derived protein, egg white, and at least one cellulose additive selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, powdery cellulose, and cellulose nanofibers, characterized in that the content of the livestock meat material is 30% by mass or less.

[0011] <Plant-derived protein> The plant-derived protein used in the present invention refers to, for example, protein materials derived from oil and grain seeds such as soybeans, peas, rapeseeds, cottonseeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, safflower seeds, sunflower seeds, corn, safflower, coconuts, or cereal seeds such as rice, barley, wheat, etc., and their extracted and processed proteins, for example, rice glutelin, barley prolamin, wheat prolamin, wheat gluten, soybean globulin, soybean albumin, peanut albumin, etc., and their heat-treated, acid-treated, alkali-treated, enzyme-treated proteins, etc. Soybean protein is preferred in terms of ease of acquisition and economy. Also, the soybean protein referred to here may be any material containing protein derived from soybeans, such as whole soybeans like whole soybeans and split soybeans, defatted soybeans or defatted soybeans with oil removed, concentrated soy protein with protein concentrated by washing with aqueous ethanol or acidic water washing, etc., and further separated soy protein or soy milk, as well as their hydrolysates, okara, whey, etc., and at least one or more of these can be selected. Among these, defatted soybeans are particularly preferred because of their excellent economy.

[0012] Such plant-derived proteins have no particular restrictions on their properties and can be appropriately selected according to the properties required for meat-like food compositions, such as granular, powdery, paste-like, fibrous, etc.

[0013] <Carboxymethyl cellulose> The carboxymethyl cellulose used in the present invention may be in the form of a salt (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as CMC). Such CMC preferably has a carboxymethyl substituent (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "degree of substitution" or "CM-DS") of 0.01 or more and 1.5 or less per glucose unit, more preferably 0.01 or more and 1.0 or less, still more preferably 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less, and particularly preferably 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less.

[0014] When the degree of substitution of CMC is higher than 1.5, it becomes easily soluble in water. Therefore, when added to meat-like food compositions, it becomes sticky, and is not suitable because of its poor texture and workability. Also, when the degree of substitution is low, such as less than 0.01, the hydrophilicity of CMC decreases. Therefore, when added to meat-like food compositions, it is not suitable because of its poor water retention. Moreover, when the degree of substitution of CMC is within this range, when added to meat-like food compositions, it can promote the formation of stable emulsions of other added oils and fats, etc., and can effectively exhibit the texture, flavor, and workability of meat-like food compositions.

[0015] The method for measuring the degree of carboxymethyl substitution is as follows: Precisely weigh about 2.0 g of the sample and place it in a 300 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a stopper. Add 100 mL of nitric acid methanol (a solution prepared by adding 100 mL of special grade concentrated nitric acid to 1000 mL of methanol), shake for 3 hours to convert the salt of carboxymethylated cellulose (CMC) to H-CMC (hydrogen-type carboxymethylated cellulose). Precisely weigh 1.5 - 2.0 g of the absolute dry H-CMC and place it in a 300 mL Erlenmeyer flask with a stopper. Moisten the H-CMC with 15 mL of 80% methanol, add 100 mL of 0.1N-NaOH, and shake at room temperature for 3 hours. Using phenolphthalein as an indicator, back-titrate the excess NaOH with 0.1N-H2SO4, and calculate the degree of carboxymethyl substitution (DS value) by the following formula. A = [(100×F’ - 0.1N-H2SO4(mL)×F)×0.1] / (absolute dry mass of H-CMC (g)) Degree of carboxymethyl substitution = 0.162×A / (1 - 0.058×A) F’: Factor of 0.1N-H2SO4 F: Factor of 0.1N-NaOH.

[0016] Furthermore, it is important that the CMC used in the present invention has a viscosity of 5 to 300 mPa·s, preferably 10 to 280 mPa·s, more preferably 15 to 260 mPa·s, for an aqueous solution with a solids concentration of 1% by mass measured using a B-type viscometer at 25°C. When the viscosity of CMC is within this range, when added to a livestock meat-like food composition, it can have excellent texture and provide appropriate water retention.

[0017] The crystallinity of CMC preferably has less than 50% of crystalline form I, more preferably 30% or less, even more preferably 10% or less, and particularly preferably 0% (having no crystallinity). Adjusting the crystallinity within the above range makes it more difficult for water separation to occur after water retention, so it has an excellent water separation prevention effect.

[0018] The method for measuring the crystallinity of carboxymethyl cellulose of cellulose form I is as follows: Place the sample in a glass cell and measure it using an X-ray diffractometer (LabX XRD-6000, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The crystallinity is calculated using the method of Segal et al. Using the diffraction intensity in the range of 2θ = 10° to 30° of the X-ray diffraction pattern as the baseline, it is calculated from the diffraction intensity of the 002 plane at 2θ = 22.6° and the diffraction intensity of the amorphous part at 2θ = 18.5° according to the following formula.

[0019] Xc = (I002c - Ia) / I100 Xc = crystallinity of cellulose form I (%) I002c: diffraction intensity of the 002 plane at 2θ = 22.6° Ia: diffraction intensity of the amorphous part at 2θ = 18.5°.

[0020] Such CMC can be produced by subjecting a cellulose raw material to a carboxymethylation reaction. Examples of the cellulose raw material include natural celluloses such as bleached or unbleached wood pulp, purified lint, and cellulose produced by microorganisms such as acetic acid bacteria, regenerated cellulose obtained by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as a copper ammonia solution or a morpholine derivative and then spinning it again, and fine cellulose obtained by subjecting the above cellulose-based material to a depolymerization treatment such as hydrolysis, alkali hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, blasting treatment, or vibration ball mill treatment, or mechanically treated fine cellulose.

[0021] The CMC used in the present invention can be produced by subjecting a cellulose raw material to a carboxymethylation reaction. Examples of the cellulose raw material include natural celluloses such as bleached or unbleached wood pulp, purified lint, and cellulose produced by microorganisms such as acetic acid bacteria, regenerated cellulose obtained by dissolving cellulose in a solvent such as a copper ammonia solution or a morpholine derivative and then spinning it again, and fine cellulose obtained by subjecting the above cellulose-based material to a depolymerization treatment such as hydrolysis, alkali hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, blasting treatment, or vibration ball mill treatment, or mechanically treated fine cellulose.

[0022] The CMC used in the present invention is prepared by a known method. For example, using cellulose as the starting material, a mixed medium of a lower alcohol in an amount of 3 to 20 times the weight of the solvent, specifically, methanol, ethanol, N-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, N-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butanol, etc., alone or a mixture of two or more thereof and water is used. The mixing ratio of the lower alcohol is 60 to 95% by weight. As the mercerizing agent, an alkali metal hydroxide in an amount of 0.5 to 20 times the molar amount per glucose residue of the starting material, specifically, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide is used. The starting material, the solvent, and the mercerizing agent are mixed, and mercerization treatment is carried out at a reaction temperature of 0 to 70°C, preferably 10 to 60°C, and a reaction time of 15 minutes to 8 hours, preferably 30 minutes to 7 hours. Thereafter, a carboxymethylating agent is added in an amount of 0.05 to 2.0 times the molar amount per glucose residue, and an etherification reaction is carried out at a reaction temperature of 30 to 90°C, preferably 40 to 80°C, and a reaction time of 30 minutes to 10 hours, preferably 1 hour to 4 hours.

[0023] In the present invention, in order to increase the purity of CMC, a known method is used, that is, a mixed medium of a lower alcohol in an amount of 3 to 20 times the weight of the solvent, specifically, methanol, ethanol, N-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, N-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, tertiary butanol, etc., alone or a mixture of two or more thereof and water is used, and purification treatment is carried out until the purity reaches 99%, and then drying is carried out.

[0024] For the purpose of uniform mixing with other materials, the purified CMC may be mechanically processed to be pulverized and / or classified.

[0025] Specifically, the mechanical treatment can be carried out using a cutting mill alone, or a cutting mill, an impact mill, and / or a pneumatic mill alone or in combination, and further, multi-stage treatment can be carried out using the same type of machine. Examples of the cutting mill include a mesh mill (manufactured by Horai Co., Ltd.), Atoms (manufactured by Yamamoto Hyakuba Seisakusho Co., Ltd.), a knife mill (manufactured by Pallmann), a granulator (manufactured by Herbold), a rotary cutter mill (manufactured by Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.), etc.

[0026] Examples of impact mills include a pulper (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), a fine impact mill (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), a super micron mill (Hosokawa Micron Corporation), a sample mill (manufactured by Seishin Co., Ltd.), a turndown mill (manufactured by Nikkiso Co., Ltd.), a turbo mill (manufactured by Turbo Industry Co., Ltd.), a bevel impactor (manufactured by Aikawa Iron Works Co., Ltd.), and the like. On the other hand, examples of air classifying mills include a CGS type jet mill (manufactured by Mitsui Mining Co., Ltd.), a jet mill (manufactured by Sanjo Industries Co., Ltd.), an Ebara jet micronizer (manufactured by Ebara Corporation), a Selene mill (manufactured by Masayuki Sangyo Co., Ltd.). Furthermore, examples of media mills include a vibration ball mill and the like. On the other hand, examples of wet grinders include a mascoloider (manufactured by Masayuki Sangyo Co., Ltd.) and the like.

[0027] In the dry grinding process, by providing a classification step after grinding, it is also possible to separate into a fine portion and a coarsely ground portion. Further, the classification step can also be set for the wet grinding or the dried product after drying the ground material.

[0028] The average particle size of the CMC pulverized by any of the above pulverizers after pulverization is not particularly limited, but is 0.1 to 300 μm, preferably 10 to 100 μm, more preferably 1.0 to 70 μm, still more preferably 1.0 to 65 μm, and particularly preferably 10 to 60 μm. If it is less than 0.1 μm, it is complicated in production, and if it exceeds 300 μm, it is difficult to uniformly mix in the meat-like food composition, which is not preferable.

[0029] The average particle size referred to in the present invention means the volume average particle size, and is obtained from the value of the volume cumulative 50% particle size measured by a laser diffraction / scattering particle size distribution analyzer using methanol as a dispersion medium, for example.

[0030] The carboxymethyl cellulose used in the present invention obtained in this way does not swell in an organic solvent such as methanol, but when dispersed in water, the carboxymethylated part absorbs water and swells. Therefore, it is preferable that the particle size distribution and the average particle diameter are different between when dispersed in water and when dispersed in methanol. Such an average particle diameter (dispersion medium: water) is preferably more than 70 μm and 200 μm or less, more preferably 80 μm to 150 μm, and even more preferably 80 μm to 130 μm.

[0031] Also, the swelling ratio expressed as average particle diameter (dispersion medium: water) / average particle diameter (dispersion medium: methanol)×100 is preferably 100 to 400%, more preferably 150 to 300%, and even more preferably 180 to 300%. When the swelling ratio is within this range, it has a high water retention rate while maintaining its shape, and when used in livestock meat-like processed foods, for example, it can maintain a moist texture without collapsing.

[0032] <Powdery cellulose> The powdery cellulose contained in the livestock meat-like food composition of the present invention can be obtained by pulverizing pulp obtained by subjecting pulp raw materials to acid hydrolysis treatment with mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid, or by mechanically pulverizing pulp not subjected to acid hydrolysis treatment.

[0033] Such pulp raw materials are not particularly limited, such as pulp derived from broad-leaved trees, pulp derived from coniferous trees, pulp derived from lint, and pulp derived from non-wood.

[0034] Also, in the present invention, the pulping method (kraft method) is not particularly limited, and examples include the sulfite pulping method, the kraft pulping method, the soda-quinone pulping method, and the organosolv pulping method. Among these, kraft pulp is preferable from the environmental aspect.

[0035] The pulp raw material of the present invention may be either slurry-like wet pulp or dry pulp obtained by dehydrating and drying the slurry into a sheet form, and is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use dry pulp (pulp sheet) for ease of handling.

[0036] It is important that the powdery cellulose thus obtained has an average particle size of 5 to 75 μm. If the average particle size is less than 5 μm, it is difficult to obtain the shape-retaining property when used in foods because the cellulose fibers are too fine. On the other hand, if the average particle size exceeds 75 μm, the cellulose fibers are easily felt, resulting in a deterioration of the texture.

[0037] For the powdery cellulose used in the present invention, in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution, the powdery cellulose having a particle size of 100 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 45.0% by volume, the powdery cellulose having a particle size of 200 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 25.0% by volume, the powdery cellulose having a particle size of 300 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 12.0% by volume or less, and the powdery cellulose having a particle size of 600 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 2.0% by volume or less.

[0038] Moreover, it is desirable that the powdery cellulose used in the present invention has an average degree of polymerization of 100 to 2500 and a crystallinity of 60 to 90%, and further desirably has an average fiber length of 0.1 to 1.0 mm.

[0039] In order for the powdery cellulose used in the present invention to exhibit a more excellent water absorption / oil absorption effect in a livestock meat-like food composition, it is particularly preferable to satisfy the following conditions (A1) to (E1). (A1) The average particle size of the powdery cellulose is 30 to 67 μm, (B1) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 100 μm or more is in the range of 16.0 to 37.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (C1) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 200 μm or more is in the range of 4.0 to 16.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (D1) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 300 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 10.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (E1) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 600 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 2.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution.

[0040] Furthermore, it is desirable that such powdery cellulose has an average degree of polymerization in the range of 300 to 1500 and a crystallinity in the range of 75 to 90%, and more desirably, an average fiber length in the range of 0.2 to 1.0 mm.

[0041] In order for the powdery cellulose used in the present invention to exhibit a more effective anti-binding effect and coloring effect in a livestock meat-like food composition, it is particularly preferable to satisfy the following conditions (A2) to (E2). (A2) The average particle size of the powdery cellulose is 26 to 45 μm, (B2) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 100 μm or more is in the range of 6.0 to 45.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (C2) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 200 μm or more is in the range of 0.5 to 14.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (D2) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 300 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 10.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (E2) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 600 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 1.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution.

[0042] Furthermore, it is desirable that such powdery cellulose has an average degree of polymerization in the range of 200 to 1000 and a crystallinity in the range of 75 to 90%, and more desirably, an average fiber length in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

[0043] In order for the powdery cellulose used in the present invention to exhibit a more effective texture improvement or shape retention effect in a livestock meat-like food composition, it is particularly preferable to satisfy the following conditions (A3) to (E3). (A3) The average particle size of the powdery cellulose is 10 to 40 μm, (B3) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 100 μm or more is in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution and is in the range of 2.0 to 45.0% by volume. (C3) The powdery cellulose having a particle size of 200 μm or more is in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution It is in the range of 0 to 14.0% by volume. (D3) Powdery cellulose with a particle size of 300 μm or more is in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution It is in the range of 0 to 10.0% by volume or less. (E3) Powdery cellulose with a particle size of 600 μm or more is in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution It is in the range of 0 to 1.0% by volume or less.

[0044] Moreover, such powdery cellulose preferably has an average degree of polymerization in the range of 100 to 1000 and a crystallinity in the range of 70 to 90%, and more preferably has an average fiber length in the range of 0.1 to 0.8 mm.

[0045] In order for the powdery cellulose used in the present invention to more effectively exhibit texture improvement or water absorption (water retention) properties in a meat-like food composition, the apparent specific gravity is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 g / ml, more preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.45 g / ml, and even more preferably in the range of 0.15 to 0.4 g / ml. By satisfying this range of apparent specific gravity, when used in a meat-like food composition, it has a strong and firm texture with a fibrous feeling, and also has excellent water retention properties, thus improving workability. Furthermore, since the entanglement of spices such as pepper also improves, an excellent spice feeling can be imparted when adding spices or the like.

[0046] The powdery cellulose used in the present invention can be mixed and pulverized with the raw material of powdery cellulose and other organic and / or inorganic components alone or in any ratio of two or more in order to impart functionality or improve functionality, as long as the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Also, chemical treatment can be performed as long as the degree of polymerization of the natural cellulose used as the raw material is not significantly impaired.

[0047] Specific production methods are shown below, but the present invention is not limited to these methods. The powdery cellulose used was measured by the following methods.

[0048] (Measurement of average particle size and particle size distribution of powdery cellulose) A laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer (MasterSizer 2000, manufactured by Spectris Co., Ltd., Malvern Business Headquarters) was used. 0.5 g of the sample to be measured was collected in a 100 ml beaker, 60 ml of a 0.5% hexametaphosphate solution was added, and the sample was treated with an ultrasonic processor from Dr. Hielscher Gmbh under the condition of 20% output for 2 minutes. The treated sample was used for measurement. The measurement principle uses the laser scattering method. The particle size distribution is expressed as an accumulation distribution, and the value at which the accumulation distribution reaches 50% is defined as the average particle diameter.

[0049] Also, the ratio of powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 100 μm or more, the ratio of powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 200 μm or more, the ratio of powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 300 μm or more, and the ratio of powdery cellulose with a particle diameter of 600 μm or more were calculated from the total of the accumulation distribution, respectively.

[0050] (Degree of polymerization of powdery cellulose) The degree of polymerization of cellulose was determined by the viscosity measurement method using copper ethylenediamine described in the 16th revised Japanese Pharmacopoeia Explanation Book, Crystal Cellulose Confirmation Test (2). For the range where measurement cannot be performed by the method described in Crystal Cellulose Confirmation Test (2), for example, using an automatic viscosity measurement system RPV-1 (manufactured by RHEOTEK) for pulp and polymer, measuring the intrinsic viscosity, and methods derived from the formula [η]=0.909×DP0.85 (formula (2) in the literature) described in "VISCOSITY MEASUREMENTS OF CELLULOSE / SO2-AMINE DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE SOLUTION" (written by Isoi et al., 1998) can be mentioned.

[0051] (Crystallinity of powdery cellulose) The crystallinity was determined by measuring the X-ray diffraction of the sample. The X-ray diffraction measurement was carried out by placing an appropriate amount of the sample in a glass cell and using an X-ray diffraction measuring device (LabX XRD-6000, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation). The crystallinity was calculated using the methods of (L. Segal, J. J. Greely, et al., Text. Res. J., 29, 786, 1959) and Kamide et al. (K. Kamide et al., Polymer J., 17, 909, 1985). Based on the diffraction intensity in the range of 2θ = 10° to 30° in the X-ray diffraction pattern, the crystallinity was calculated from the diffraction intensity of the 002 plane at 2θ = 22.6° and the diffraction intensity of the amorphous part at 2θ = 18.5° using the following formula. Xc=(I002c―Ia) / I002c×100 Xc = Crystallinity of cellulose (%) I002c: Diffraction intensity of the 002 plane at 2θ = 22.6° Ia: Diffraction intensity of the amorphous part at 2θ = 18.5°

[0052] (Average fiber length of powdered cellulose) The average fiber length was measured using a fiber tester (manufactured by Lorentzen & Wettre). In the present invention, the average fiber length refers to the length-weighted average fiber length.

[0053] (Powder falling speed of powdered cellulose) A 5 g sample of the powdered cellulose obtained in the above production example was vibrated and dropped using a powder tester (PT-N type, manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation), and the time required for all the powder to fall was measured. The larger this value, the better the powder fluidity. The larger this value, the better the powder fluidity.

[0054] (Apparent specific gravity of powdered cellulose) According to the conventional method, 10 g of the sample was put into a 100 mL graduated cylinder, and the bottom of the graduated cylinder was continuously tapped until the height of the sample no longer decreased. Then, the scale of the flattened surface was read to measure the volume per 10 g of the sample, and the weight per unit volume (1 mL) was calculated to obtain the apparent specific gravity (g / mL). The higher the apparent specific gravity, the smaller the bulk and the more compact the powder.

[0055] <Cellulose nanofiber> The meat-like food composition of the present invention preferably contains cellulose nanofibers. Cellulose nanofibers are materials produced by finely separating plant fibers to the nanolevel, and are generally fine fibers with an average fiber diameter of about 3 to 500 nm and an average aspect ratio of 50 or more. The average fiber diameter and average fiber length of cellulose nanofibers can be obtained by averaging the fiber diameter and fiber length obtained from the observation results of each fiber using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). In addition, the aspect ratio can be calculated by the following formula: Aspect ratio = average fiber length / average fiber diameter

[0056] Cellulose nanofibers can be produced by applying strong shear force to cellulose raw materials either without modification or after chemical modification. In the present invention, the cellulose raw material may or may not be chemically modified, but it is more preferably chemically modified. Cellulose nanofibers produced using a chemically modified cellulose raw material are presumed to have more uniform fiber length and fiber diameter compared to cellulose nanofibers produced using an unmodified cellulose raw material, and thus have stable water dispersibility and exhibit more excellent effects. The method of chemical modification is not particularly limited, and for example, oxidation, etherification, phosphorylation, esterification, silane coupling, fluorination, cationization, etc. can be performed. Among them, it is preferably any one of oxidation using an N-oxyl compound, carboxymethylation, and cationization, and particularly preferably carboxymethylation or oxidation because it is for food use.

[0057] (Cellulose raw material) In the present invention, cellulose raw materials for producing cellulose nanofibers are known to be derived from plants (e.g., wood, bamboo, hemp, jute, kenaf, agricultural waste, cloth, pulp (softwood unbleached kraft pulp (NUKP), softwood bleached kraft pulp (NBKP), hardwood unbleached kraft pulp (LUKP), hardwood bleached kraft pulp (LBKP), softwood unbleached sulfite pulp (NUSP), softwood bleached sulfite pulp (NBSP), thermomechanical pulp (TMP), recycled pulp, waste paper, etc.), animals (e.g., ascidians), algae, microorganisms (e.g., acetic acid bacteria (Acetobacter)), microbial products, etc.), and any of these can be used in the present invention. Cellulose fibers derived from plants or microorganisms are preferred, and cellulose fibers derived from plants are more preferred.

[0058] The fiber diameter of the cellulose fiber raw material used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and the number average fiber diameter is 1 μm to 1 mm. Those that have undergone general refinement have a fiber diameter of about 50 μm. For example, when chips or the like having a size of several centimeters are refined, it is preferable to perform a mechanical treatment with a disintegrator such as a refiner or beater to reduce the fiber diameter to about 50 μm.

[0059] (Oxidation) In the cellulose nanofiber used in the present invention, the oxidation of the cellulose raw material can be carried out using known methods and is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to adjust the amount of carboxyl groups to 0.5 mmol / g to 3.0 mmol / g based on the bone dry weight of the cellulose nanofiber.

[0060] As an example, it can be obtained by oxidizing cellulose in water using an oxidizing agent in the presence of an N-oxyl compound and a compound selected from the group consisting of bromides, iodides, or mixtures thereof. By this oxidation reaction, the primary hydroxyl group at the C6 position of the glucopyranose ring on the cellulose surface is selectively oxidized, and a cellulose-based fiber having an aldehyde group, a carboxyl group, or a carboxylate group on the surface can be obtained. The concentration of cellulose during the reaction is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5% by mass or less. The N-oxyl compound refers to a compound capable of generating a nitroxyl radical. As the N-oxyl compound, any compound can be used as long as it is a compound that promotes the target oxidation reaction. It can be used.

[0061] The amount of the N-oxyl compound used is not particularly limited as long as it is a catalytic amount capable of oxidizing the raw material cellulose. For example, for 1 g of absolutely dry cellulose, 0.01 to 10 mmol is preferable, 0.01 to 1 mmol is more preferable, and 0.05 to 0.5 mmol is even more preferable. Also, about 0.1 to 4 mmol / L is suitable for the reaction system. A bromide is a compound containing bromine, and examples thereof include alkali metal bromides that can dissociate and ionize in water. An iodide is a compound containing iodine, and examples thereof include alkali metal iodides. The amount of the bromide or iodide used can be selected within a range capable of promoting the oxidation reaction. The total amount of the bromide and the iodide is preferably 0.1 to 100 mmol, more preferably 0.1 to 10 mmol, and even more preferably 0.5 to 5 mmol, for example, per 1 g of absolutely dry cellulose.

[0062] As the oxidizing agent, known ones can be used. For example, halogens, hypohalous acids, halous acids, perhalic acids or their salts, halogen oxides, peroxides, etc. can be used. Among them, sodium hypochlorite, which is inexpensive and has a low environmental impact, is preferable. The appropriate amount of the oxidizing agent to be used is preferably 0.5 to 500 mmol, more preferably 0.5 to 50 mmol, still more preferably 1 to 25 mmol, and most preferably 3 to 10 mmol, for example, per 1 g of absolutely dry cellulose. Also, for example, 1 to 40 mol is preferable per 1 mol of the N-oxyl compound.

[0063] The oxidation process of cellulose can proceed efficiently even under relatively mild conditions. Therefore, the reaction temperature is preferably 4 to 40°C, and it may also be at room temperature of about 15 to 30°C. Since carboxyl groups are generated in the cellulose as the reaction proceeds, a decrease in the pH of the reaction solution is observed. In order to make the oxidation reaction proceed efficiently, it is preferable to add an alkaline solution such as an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to maintain the pH of the reaction solution at 8 to 12, preferably about 10 to 11. The reaction medium is preferably water in view of ease of handling and difficulty in causing side reactions. The reaction time in the oxidation reaction can be appropriately set according to the degree of progress of oxidation, and is usually 0.5 to 6 hours, for example, about 0.5 to 4 hours. Also, the oxidation reaction may be carried out in two steps. For example, the oxidized cellulose obtained by filtration after the completion of the first-step reaction is oxidized again under the same or different reaction conditions, so that it can be efficiently oxidized without being inhibited by the sodium chloride by-produced in the first-step reaction.

[0064] As another example of the carboxylation (oxidation) method, a method of oxidation by bringing a gas containing ozone into contact with a cellulose raw material can be mentioned. By this oxidation reaction, the hydroxyl groups at least at the 2-position and 6-position of the glucopyranose ring are oxidized, and the decomposition of the cellulose chain occurs. The ozone concentration in the gas containing ozone is preferably 50 to 250 g / m3, and more preferably 50 to 220 g / m3. The ozone addition amount to the cellulose raw material is preferably 0.1 to 30 parts by mass, and more preferably 5 to 30 parts by mass when the solid content of the cellulose raw material is 100 parts by mass. The ozone treatment temperature is preferably 0 to 50°C, and more preferably 20 to 50°C. The ozone treatment time is not particularly limited, but is about 1 to 360 minutes, and preferably about 30 to 360 minutes. When the conditions of the ozone treatment are within these ranges, it is possible to prevent the cellulose from being excessively oxidized and decomposed, and the yield of the oxidized cellulose becomes good. After the ozone treatment, a post-oxidation treatment may be performed using an oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent used for the post-oxidation treatment is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include chlorine-based compounds such as chlorine dioxide and sodium chlorite, and oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, persulfuric acid, peracetic acid, and the like. For example, these oxidizing agents can be dissolved in a polar organic solvent such as water or alcohol to prepare an oxidizing agent solution, and the post-oxidation treatment can be performed by immersing the cellulose raw material in the solution.

[0065] The amounts of the carboxyl group, carboxylate group, and aldehyde group of the cellulose-based fiber can be adjusted by controlling the addition amount of the above-mentioned oxidizing agent and the reaction time. The method for measuring the amount of carboxyl groups is, for example, to prepare 60 ml of a 0.5 mass% slurry (aqueous dispersion) of oxidized cellulose, add 0.1 M hydrochloric acid aqueous solution to make the pH 2.5, and then dropwise add 0.05 N sodium hydroxide aqueous solution until the pH reaches 11, and measure the electrical conductivity. From the amount of sodium hydroxide (a) consumed in the neutralization stage of the weak acid where the change in electrical conductivity is gentle, it can be calculated using the following formula: Amount of carboxyl groups [mmol / g oxidized cellulose or cellulose nanofiber] = a (ml) × 0.05 / mass of carboxymethylated cellulose [g]

[0066] (Carboxymethylation) In the cellulose nanofibers used in the present invention, the carboxymethylation of the cellulose raw material can be carried out using the method of carboxymethyl cellulose described above, and it is preferable to adjust so that the degree of carboxymethyl group substitution per anhydrous glucose unit of cellulose is 0.01 to 0.50.

[0067] (Cationization) In the present invention, the cationization of the cellulose raw material can be carried out using a known method. By cationization, for example, ammonium, phosphonium, sulfonium, or a group having these ammonium, phosphonium, or sulfonium can be introduced into the cellulose molecule. A group having ammonium is preferable, and particularly, a group containing quaternary ammonium is preferable. As a specific cationization method, although not particularly limited, as an example, in the presence of water and / or an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a cellulose raw material is reacted with a cationizing agent such as glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrialkylammonium hydride or its halohydrin type, and an alkali metal hydroxide (sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) as a catalyst, whereby a cation-modified cellulose having a group containing quaternary ammonium can be obtained. In this method, the degree of cation substitution per glucose unit of the obtained cation-modified cellulose can be adjusted by controlling the addition amount of the cationizing agent to be reacted and the composition ratio of water and / or an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The degree of substitution here indicates the number of introduced substituents per unit structure (glucopyranose ring) constituting cellulose. In other words, it is defined as "the value obtained by dividing the number of moles of the introduced substituent by the total number of moles of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose ring". Since pure cellulose has three substitutable hydroxyl groups per unit structure (glucopyranose ring), the theoretical maximum value of the degree of substitution of the cellulose fiber of the present invention is 3 (the minimum value is 0).

[0068] In the cellulose nanofibers used in the present invention, the degree of cation substitution per glucose unit of cationized cellulose is preferably 0.01 to 0.40. By introducing a cationic substituent into cellulose, the celluloses repel each other electrically. Therefore, the cellulose introduced with the cationic substituent can be easily nanofibrillated. When the degree of cation substitution per glucose unit is less than 0.01, it cannot be sufficiently nanofibrillated. On the other hand, when the degree of cation substitution per glucose unit is greater than 0.40, it swells or dissolves, so that the fiber form cannot be maintained and it may not be obtained as nanofibers. The degree of cation substitution per glucose unit can be calculated by the following formula after measuring the nitrogen content of the sample (cation-modified cellulose) with a total nitrogen analyzer TN-10 (Mitsubishi Chemical) after drying the sample. The degree of substitution referred to here represents the average value of the number of moles of substituents per mole of anhydroglucose units.

[0069] Degree of cation substitution = (162 × N) / (1 - 151.6 × N) N: Nitrogen content

[0070] (Defibration) In the present invention, the defibrating device is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to apply a strong shearing force to the aqueous dispersion using devices such as a high-speed rotation type, a colloid mill type, a high-pressure type, a roll mill type, an ultrasonic type. In particular, for efficient defibration, it is preferable to use a wet high-pressure or ultra-high-pressure homogenizer that can apply a pressure of 50 MPa or more and a strong shearing force to the aqueous dispersion. The pressure is more preferably 100 MPa or more, and even more preferably 140 MPa or more. Also, prior to the defibrating and dispersing treatment with a high-pressure homogenizer, it is also possible to perform a pretreatment on the above-mentioned cellulose nanofibers using known mixing, stirring, emulsifying, and dispersing devices such as a high-speed shear mixer as needed.

[0071] When defibrating in the above-described treatment, the solid content concentration as the cellulose fiber raw material is preferably 0.1% by weight or more, preferably 0.2% by weight or more, particularly 0.3% by weight or more, and 10% by weight or less, particularly 6% by weight or less. If the solid content concentration is too low, the amount of liquid becomes too large with respect to the amount of the cellulose fiber raw material to be treated, resulting in poor efficiency. If the solid content concentration is too high, the fluidity deteriorates.

[0072] In the present invention, the form of the cellulose nanofibers to be contained in the livestock meat-like food composition is not particularly limited, and may be a dispersion of cellulose nanofibers, a dry solid of cellulose nanofibers, or a wet solid in an intermediate state. In the present invention, the dry solid of cellulose nanofibers means a dispersion containing cellulose nanofibers dehydrated and dried to a water content of 12% or less.

[0073] Examples of the dry solid of the cellulose nanofiber include those obtained by drying a dispersion of the cellulose nanofiber or those obtained by drying a mixture of the cellulose nanofiber and a water-soluble polymer. In terms of redispersibility, the latter is preferred. Examples of the water-soluble polymer include cellulose derivatives (carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose), xanthan gum, xyloglucan, dextrin, dextran, carrageenan, locust bean gum, alginic acid, alginate, pullulan, starch, katakuri starch, kudzu starch, cationic starch, phosphorylated starch, corn starch, gum arabic, locust bean gum, gellan gum, gellan gum, polydextrose, pectin, chitin, water-soluble chitin, chitosan, casein, albumin, soy protein hydrolyzate, peptone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, polyamino acid, polylactic acid, poly(lactic acid), polyglycerol, latex, rosin sizing agent, petroleum resin sizing agent, urea resin, melamine resin, epoxy resin, polyamide resin, polyamide-polyamine resin, polyethyleneimine, polyamine, plant gum, polyethylene oxide, hydrophilic crosslinked polymer, polyacrylate, starch polyacrylate copolymer, tamarind gum, gellan gum, pectin, guar gum, and colloidal silica, and mixtures of one or more thereof. Among these, it is preferable to use carboxymethyl cellulose and its salts from the viewpoint of compatibility.

[0074] From the viewpoint of redispersibility, it is preferable that the dry solid of the cellulose nanofiber is obtained by dehydrating and drying a water dispersion of the cellulose nanofiber or a mixed solution containing the cellulose nanofiber dispersion and a water-soluble polymer after adjusting the pH to 9 to 11. When a water-soluble polymer is blended in the dispersion of the cellulose nanofiber, the blending amount of the water-soluble polymer is preferably 5 to 50% by weight based on the absolute dry solid content of the cellulose nanofiber. If it is less than 5% by weight, a sufficient redispersibility effect is not exhibited. On the other hand, if it exceeds 50% by weight, problems such as a decrease in the viscosity characteristics and dispersion stability, which are characteristics of the cellulose nanofiber, occur.

[0075] As a method for dehydrating and drying a cellulose nanofiber dispersion or a mixture containing a cellulose nanofiber dispersion and a water-soluble polymer, any conventionally known method may be used. For example, spray drying, pressing, air drying, hot air drying, and vacuum drying can be mentioned. Examples of the drying apparatus specifically used in the method of the present invention are as follows. That is, a continuous tunnel drying apparatus, a band drying apparatus, a vertical drying apparatus, a vertical turbo drying apparatus, a multi-stage disk drying apparatus, a through-air drying apparatus, a rotary drying apparatus, a fluidized bed drying apparatus, a spray dryer drying apparatus, a spray drying apparatus, a cylindrical drying apparatus, a drum drying apparatus, a screw conveyor drying apparatus, a rotary drying apparatus with a heating tube, a vibrating conveyor drying apparatus, etc., and a batch-type box drying apparatus, a through-air drying apparatus, a vacuum box drying apparatus, and a stirring drying apparatus, etc. can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, using a drum drying apparatus is preferable from the viewpoint of energy efficiency because heat energy can be directly supplied to the object to be dried uniformly. Also, the drum drying apparatus is preferable in that the dried product can be recovered immediately without applying more heat than necessary.

[0076] The above-mentioned dried solid can be pulverized and classified to obtain the meat-like food composition of the present invention. In particular, when dry pulverization or wet pulverization is performed, it is preferable because a more finely divided additive can be obtained. Examples of the apparatus used for dry pulverization include impact mills such as hammer mills and pin mills, media mills such as ball mills and tower mills, and jet mills. Examples of the apparatus used for wet pulverization include apparatuses such as homogenizers, mascolloiders, and pearl mills.

[0077] <Meat-like food composition> The meat-like food composition of the present invention contains at least one cellulose additive selected from the above-mentioned plant-derived protein, egg white, and the above-mentioned carboxymethyl cellulose, powdered cellulose, and cellulose nanofibers, and is characterized in that the content of the meat material is 30% by weight or less.

[0078] The livestock meat material in the present invention means the meat materials of birds and beasts such as livestock (pigs, cows, sheep, goats, horses, etc.), poultry (chickens, quails, ducks, geese, muscovy ducks, turkeys, etc.), deer, wild boars, etc. In addition, the above livestock meat material includes not only so-called meat (muscle), but also tissues generally used in livestock meat processed foods such as skin, fat, sinew, cartilage, internal organs, and blood.

[0079] The livestock meat-like food composition of the present invention can reproduce an excellent livestock meat-like texture even without containing a livestock meat material. In order to obtain the merit that even those who do not eat livestock meat for various reasons can eat it, it is preferable to minimize the content of the livestock meat material as much as possible. For example, the content of the livestock meat material is preferably 20% by weight or less, more preferably 10% by weight or less. Further, it is more preferable that no livestock meat material is contained (the content of the livestock meat material is 0% by weight). However, in order to keep the cost, supply stability, and quality stability of the livestock meat material constant, the livestock meat material can be contained as long as it is below a certain level.

[0080] It is important that the livestock meat-like food composition of the present invention contains egg white. Since albumin and the like contained in egg white coagulate by heating, the livestock meat-like food compositions can be joined together and a firm texture can be imparted. Such egg white may be processed egg white, and dried egg white and the like can also be used.

[0081] The plant-derived protein and cellulose additive contained in the livestock meat-like food composition of the present invention preferably range from 60 to 99.5% by weight: 0.5 to 40% by weight of plant-derived protein: cellulose additive, more preferably in the range of 70 to 99% by weight: 1 to 30% by weight of plant-derived protein: cellulose additive, and even more preferably in the range of 80 to 98.5% by weight: 1.5 to 20% by weight of plant-derived protein: cellulose additive (however, the total weight of the plant-derived protein and the cellulose additive is 100% by weight). By satisfying this range, an excellent livestock meat-like texture can be more exhibited, and workability and the like can be improved because of better water retention.

[0082] The cellulose additive contained in the meat-like food composition is importantly composed of at least one selected from the carboxymethyl cellulose, powdered cellulose, and cellulose nanofiber described above, and two or more kinds may be used in combination. When adding egg white to the meat-like food composition, the dough of the meat-like food composition is likely to become sticky, and the shape-retaining property may decrease, making it difficult to form a cohesive mass. As the cellulose additive, it is preferable to use powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofiber in combination, because the shape-retaining property of the dough is further improved.

[0083] When powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofiber are used in combination as the cellulose additive, the blending ratio is preferably powdered cellulose:cellulose nanofiber = 50 to 99 parts by weight: 1 to 50 parts by weight (however, the total of powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofiber is 100 parts by weight), more preferably powdered cellulose:cellulose nanofiber = 55 to 95 parts by weight: 5 to 45 parts by weight, and even more preferably powdered cellulose:cellulose nanofiber = 60 to 90 parts by weight: 10 to 40 parts by weight.

[0084] Other raw materials used in the meat-like food composition of the present invention are not particularly limited, and other additives can be used according to the required flavor, texture, physical properties, appearance, etc., in the same manner as ordinary meat processed foods. For example, vegetables, animal proteins other than meat materials and egg white (egg yolk, dairy products, etc.), seasonings, cereal flours including breadcrumbs, starches, dietary fibers, thickening polysaccharides, oils and fats, saccharides, salts, spices, colorants, preservatives, etc. can be used.

[0085] Such a meat-like food composition of the present invention preferably contains 20% by weight or more, more preferably 25% by weight or more, and even more preferably 27% by weight or more of plant-derived protein based on the total solid content. The upper limit is preferably 90% by weight or less, more preferably 80% by weight or less, and even more preferably 70% by weight or less. In the meat-like food composition, it is preferable to use an appropriate amount of the above-described additives in addition to the plant-derived protein to reproduce a more meat-like texture and flavor.

[0086] Moreover, in the meat-like food composition of the present invention, it is preferable that the egg white is contained in an amount of 10% by weight or less, more preferably 5% by weight or less, and even more preferably 3% by weight or less, based on the total solid content. The lower limit is not particularly limited, but it is preferably contained in an amount of 0.5% by weight or more, and more preferably 1% by weight or more. When the content of the egg white is within this range, the meat-like food composition has good connectivity and an improvement in texture is expected.

[0087] Each of the aforementioned raw materials of the meat-like food composition of the present invention can be kneaded. There is no particular limitation on the kneading method, but in order to obtain an excellent texture and water retention similar to meat, it is preferable to knead in such a way that the powdered cellulose becomes as uniform as possible with the plant-derived protein.

[0088] <Meat-like processed food> The meat-like food composition of the present invention thus obtained can be molded into various shapes, and a meat-like processed food can be obtained by performing heat treatment. Such meat-like processed foods include, for example, sausage, hamburger, meatball, pressed ham, chopped ham, salami, nugget, menchi katsu, rolled cabbage, meatloaf, terrine, tsukune, meat bun, dumpling, shumai, formed meat, and the like.

[0089] The meat-like processed food of the present invention is a meat-like food composition containing plant-derived protein, egg white, and a cellulose additive, and can be commercialized in a form similar to conventional meat processed foods, except that the content of the meat material is 30% by mass or less, and the same manufacturing method can also be adopted.

Examples

[0090] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail using examples, but the present invention is not limited to the examples described below.

[0091] <Production of powdered cellulose> Hardwood-derived pulp was reacted at 95 °C for 2 hours under the conditions where the pulp concentration was adjusted to 5.5% and the hydrochloric acid concentration was adjusted to 1.2 N. After the reaction was completed, it was neutralized with sodium hydroxide, thoroughly washed with water, and then air-dried at a temperature of 60 °C for about 1 day. The dried sample was mechanically pulverized using a hammer mill (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation, AP-S type) to obtain powdery cellulose for addition (average particle size 24 μm, average degree of polymerization 170, crystallinity 86%, average fiber length 0.7 mm, powder falling speed 0.37 g / sec, apparent specific gravity 0.47 g / ml, with 3.5% by volume having a particle size of 100 μm or more and 0% by volume having a particle size of 200 μm or more).

[0092] <Production of Carboxymethylated Cellulose Nanofibers> To a stirrer capable of mixing pulp, 200 g of pulp (NBKP (softwood kraft pulp), manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) by dry mass and 111 g of sodium hydroxide by dry mass were added, and water was added so that the pulp solid content became 20% (w / v). Then, after stirring at 30 °C for 30 minutes, 216 g (in terms of active ingredient) of sodium monochloroacetate was added. After stirring for 30 minutes, the temperature was raised to 70 °C and stirred for 1 hour. Then, the reaction product was taken out, neutralized and washed to obtain carboxymethylated pulp with a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.25 per glucose unit. Then, the carboxymethylated pulp was made to have a solid content of 1% with water and defibrated by treating it 5 times at 20 °C and a pressure of 150 MPa using a high-pressure homogenizer to obtain carboxymethylated cellulose fibers. The obtained fibers had an average fiber diameter of 15 nm and an aspect ratio of 50.

[0093] To a 0.7 wt% aqueous suspension of the above carboxymethylated cellulose fiber (cellulose nanofiber), carboxymethyl cellulose (trade name: F350HC-4, manufactured by Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.) was added at 10 wt% based on the cellulose nanofiber, and the mixture was stirred with a TK homomixer (12,000 rpm) for 60 minutes. To this aqueous suspension, 0.5% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to adjust the pH to 9, and then dried with a drum dryer D0405 (manufactured by Katsuragi Kogyo Co., Ltd.) at a steam pressure of 0.5 MPa.G and a drum rotation speed of 2 rpm to obtain a mixed dry solid of cellulose nanofiber and carboxymethyl cellulose with a moisture content of 5 wt%. The dry solid was pulverized with a dry mill to obtain the cellulose nanofiber for addition in the present invention.

[0094] (Examples 1 - 2, Comparative Example 1) Cold water was added to soy protein (Solpie 4000H, manufactured by Nisshin Oillio Group Ltd.) and stirred at the blending ratio shown in Table 1 (total amount 100 g). After thorough mixing, canola oil was added little by little with stirring to emulsify it. After making it into an emulsion card, it was packed in a bag and stored in a refrigerator for 3 hours or more to obtain an emulsified soy card.

[0095] Using the obtained soy card, at the blending ratio shown in Table 2 (total amount 500 g), in an aluminum bowl, the soy card, granular soy protein dissolved in an appropriate amount of water, sauté onion, shortening, and other materials showing the liquid properties described in Table 2 were added and stirred well. Thereafter, the remaining materials showing the powder properties described in Table 2 were added and stirred well until it became sticky to obtain a meat - like food composition. While kneading the obtained meat - like food composition by hand, the state of adhesion to the wall surface of the aluminum bowl and the hand was visually confirmed. The meat - like food composition was divided into 80 g / each and molded into a hamburger shape. Heat on an iron plate at 220°C for 1 minute, sear both sides of the hamburger-shaped meat-like food composition, and then steam it in a convection oven (temperature 85°C / 15 minutes) to obtain meatless hamburgers of Examples 1 to 2 without a serial number and Comparative Example 1 of the meat material. The obtained meatless hamburgers and meat-like food compositions were evaluated as follows.

[0096] <Workability> While kneading the meat-like food composition by hand with rubber gloves in an aluminum bowl, visually confirm the amount adhering to the aluminum bowl wall and the amount adhering to the rubber gloves, and judge according to the following criteria. ◎: Due to strong water retention, the meat-like food composition is easy to gather, and the amount adhering to the aluminum bowl wall and the rubber gloves is small. 〇: There is water retention, the meat-like food composition is easy to gather, and the adhesion to the aluminum bowl wall and the rubber gloves is suppressed. ×: The water retention is poor, and the meat-like food composition is sticky, so adhesion to the aluminum bowl wall and the rubber gloves is observed.

[0097] <Texture of hamburger> Let 5 panelists taste the obtained meatless hamburgers, evaluate the texture according to the following criteria, and calculate the average. ◎: There is a meaty texture of soy protein, both the outside and the center are firm, and it has a hamburger-like texture. 〇: There is a meaty texture of soy protein and the outside is firm, but the center is soft and slightly inferior in chewiness. ×: There is no meaty texture of soy protein, and it has a mushy texture.

[0098]

Table 1

[0099]

Table 2

Claims

1. A meat-like food composition containing a plant-derived protein, egg white, and a cellulose additive containing at least powdered cellulose and cellulose nanofibers, wherein the content of the meat material is 30% by mass or less, the content of the plant-derived protein is 20% by weight or more and 90% by weight or less, and the content of the egg white is 1% by weight or more and 5% by weight or less, the plant-derived protein and the cellulose additive are in the range of plant-derived protein: cellulose additive = 60 to 99.5% by weight: 0.5 to 40% by weight (wherein the total weight of the plant-derived protein and the cellulose additive is 100% by weight), and the mixing ratio of the powdered cellulose and the cellulose nanofibers in the cellulose additive is in the range of powdered cellulose: cellulose nanofibers = 50 to 99 parts by weight: 1 to 50 parts by weight (wherein the total of the powdered cellulose and the cellulose nanofibers is 100 parts by weight), a meat-like food composition.

2. The meat-like food composition according to claim 1, wherein the cellulose nanofibers are chemically modified cellulose nanofibers.

3. The meat-like food composition according to claim 2, wherein the chemically modified cellulose nanofibers are oxidized cellulose nanofibers having an amount of carboxyl groups of 0.5 mmol / g to 3.0 mmol / g based on the absolute dry weight of the chemically modified cellulose nanofibers.

4. The meat-like food composition according to claim 2, wherein the chemically modified cellulose nanofibers are carboxymethylated cellulose nanofibers having a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.01 to 0.50 per glucose unit of the chemically modified cellulose nanofibers.

5. The meat-like food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the powdered cellulose satisfies the following conditions (A) to (E). (A) The average particle size is 5 to 75 μm. (B) The powdered cellulose having a particle size of 100 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 45.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (C) The powdered cellulose having a particle size of 200 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 25.0% by volume in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. (D) The powdered cellulose having a particle size of 300 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 12.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. Powdery cellulose having a particle diameter of 600 μm or more is in the range of 0 to 2.0% by volume or less in the cumulative distribution calculated from the particle size distribution. **Claim 6** The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the powdery cellulose has an average degree of polymerization of 100 to 2500 and a crystallinity of 60 to 90%. **Claim 7** The livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the plant-derived protein is a soy-derived protein. **Claim 8** A livestock meat-like processed food containing the livestock meat-like food composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

Images