Gluten-Free Colloidal Dough via Microwave Aeration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gluten-free bakery and patisserie products lack the organoleptic and rheological properties of their gluten-containing counterparts, failing to meet consumer requirements for taste, texture, and satisfaction.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the mixing of gluten-free flours, starches, fibers, and enzymes, followed by ultra-fine wet grinding and aeration to create a colloidal dough, which is then extruded, cut, and cooked in a microwave oven, with optional final baking in a convection oven, to achieve the desired properties without using gluten substitutes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional baking methods are used for gluten-free products, then the production process is simpler, but the organoleptic and rheological properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidorganoleptic and rheological properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the dough into a colloidal state by controlling particle size (10-100 nanometers) and water content (60-110% of solid mixture weight), then uses microwave radiation (2.45-9.15 GHz) at specific temperatures (80-95°C) to achieve proper cooking and texture without conventional baking methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional thermal baking with microwave radiation heating, using electromagnetic energy (2.45-9.15 GHz frequency range) to cook and dry the colloidal dough pieces, achieving the desired organoleptic properties through non-conventional energy transfer

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If additives are used to replace gluten, then the rheological properties improve, but the product complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverheological propertiesVSAvoidproduct formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates gluten and its substitutes from the formulation entirely, achieving gluten-free products with proper rheological properties through physical colloidal processing and microwave cooking rather than chemical additives

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite colloidal system combining gluten-free flours, starches, fibers, and enzymes in specific proportions, processed into a colloidal dispersion with controlled particle size (10-100 nm) to achieve gluten-like rheological properties without using gluten substitutes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If ultra-fine wet grinding and colloidal processing are used, then the texture and organoleptic properties improve, but the manufacturing time and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetexture and organoleptic propertiesVSAvoidmanufacturing cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs continuous ultra-fine wet grinding to create a colloidal dispersion, followed by continuous microwave cooking and drying in one integrated process, minimizing idle time and maintaining productive action throughout the manufacturing cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses microwave radiation (electromagnetic energy) instead of conventional thermal processing, enabling faster and more efficient cooking and drying of the colloidal dough, reducing the time required to achieve proper texture and moisture content (40-60%)

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method produces gluten-free products with a pleasant texture, airy center, crispy crust, and appropriate moisture content, mimicking the qualities of gluten-containing baked goods, thereby addressing the limitations of existing gluten-free products.

Implementation Method 1

performing baking for the initial cooking and drying of the pieces of extruded colloidal dough in a microwave oven of between 2.45 GHz and 9.15 GHz for between 2 and 25 minutes until the moisture content of the pieces of extruded colloidal dough is between 40% and 60% and the temperature of the mentioned pieces is between 80°C and 95°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 2

aerating the colloidal dispersion, obtaining a colloidal dough

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Implementation Method 3

performing ultra-fine wet grinding of the pre-dough, obtaining a colloidal dispersion, in which the size of the solid particles is comprised between 10 and 100 nanometers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltra-fine grinding: Abrasion

Implementation Method 4

performing baking for the final cooking of the pieces of semi-finished bakery and patisserie products in a radiation oven heated by convection and conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection heating: Convection

Implementation Method 5

performing baking for the final cooking of the pieces of semi-finished bakery and patisserie products in a radiation oven heated by convection and conduction for a time between 2 and 25 minutes, obtaining pieces of finished bakery and patisserie products with a moisture content between 0% and 40%

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3689146B1Method for producing gluten-free bakery and patisserie products
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 CASTAFARINA SL

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing gluten-free bakery and patisserie products and to the gluten-free bakery and patisserie products obtained, the method facilitating natural baking by means of the addition of between 60 and 110% of water to the mixture of ingredients, owing to the high water requirements of fibres that act as substitutes for the gluten in traditional baking, and the production of an oxygenated colloidal dough from this hydrated dough, to facilitate, when applicable, the subsequent leavening thereof, during and after the production of the colloidal dough. The leavened or unleavened gluten-free bakery and patisserie products obtained have organoleptic and rheological proprieties similar to those of products with gluten.