Extruded Chickpea Flour Composition for Better Mouthfeel and Taste

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chickpea flours often have undesirable mouthfeel characteristics and off-flavors due to volatile compounds present during processing, which detract from the consumer experience.

Innovation Solution

A chickpea flour composition comprising at least 95% dextrinized starch, controlled moisture content, and specific volatile concentrations, produced by extrusion at defined temperature and pressure conditions to release off-flavor volatiles and retain desirable odors and tastes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If chickpea flour is processed to improve health benefits (protein, fiber content), then nutritional value is improved, but mouthfeel characteristics deteriorate (gritty texture, thick coating)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotein and fiber contentVSAvoidmouthfeel characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling moisture content (3.5-10.5% by weight) and using extrusion processing at specific temperatures (121-176°C) and pressures (5171-7239 kPa) to transform the physical structure of chickpea starch, reducing gritiness while preserving nutritional content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes phase transitions through extrusion processing where starch undergoes gelatinization and dextrinization at elevated temperatures and pressures, changing the physical state of starch molecules to improve mouthfeel while maintaining protein and fiber content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If chickpea flour is processed to improve health benefits, then nutritional value is improved, but taste deteriorates (off-flavors from volatile compounds)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenutritional contentVSAvoidoff-flavors from volatile compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts harmful volatile compounds into beneficial flavors by controlling extrusion conditions (temperature, pressure, moisture) that transform off-flavor volatiles into desirable aromatic compounds, enhancing taste while preserving nutritional value

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes in processing conditions (temperature range of 121-176°C, pressure of 5171-7239 kPa, moisture content of 3.5-10.5%) to control the chemical transformation of volatile compounds, converting off-flavors into desirable flavors while maintaining nutritional content

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If extrusion processing is applied to improve mouthfeel and taste, then consumption experience is improved, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemouthfeel and taste qualityVSAvoidextrusion processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies the extrusion process by defining specific parameter ranges (temperature: 121-176°C, pressure: 5171-7239 kPa, moisture: 3.5-10.5%) that optimize mouthfeel and taste, making the complex extrusion process more controllable and reproducible

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 resulting chickpea flour offers improved mouthfeel and taste, with reduced off-flavors and enhanced flavor profiles, suitable for various food products.

Implementation Method 1

extruding a chickpea composition having an in-barrel moisture content of about 10% to 20% by weight at a temperature between about 121 °C (250 °F) to about 176 °C (350 °F) with a barrel pressure between about 5171 kPa (750 psi) to about 7239 kPa (1050 psi) to form an extruded chickpea composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Implementation Method 2

extruding a chickpea composition having an in-barrel moisture content of about 10% to 20% by weight at a temperature between about 121 °C (250 °F) to about 176 °C (350 °F)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

when the extruded chickpea composition exits the extruder, at least one volatile is released from the extruded chickpea composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP4039105B1Method and composition of chickpea flour
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 FRITO LAY NORTH AMERICA INC
  • EP4039105B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4039105B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4039105B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A composition formed from chickpea flour and having improved mouthfeel and taste, includes dextrinized starch and a controlled concentration of certain volatiles. Methods of forming the composition include extruding a composition containing chickpea at a temperature and pressure such that, when the extrudate exits the extruder, at least one volatile component is expelled.