Flavour Delivery System for Plant-Based Meat Analogues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flavor delivery systems for consumable products, especially plant-based meat analogues, fail to provide a balanced and authentic time-intensity flavor profile, leading to an initial high taste peak followed by diminished flavor and unpleasant off-tastes, and stability issues during processing and storage.
Innovation Solution
A flavor delivery system comprising spray-dried particles with a water-soluble matrix encapsulating flavorants and flavor granules with a core material, which are mixed to create a stable and controlled release system for plant-based protein products, mimicking the flavor and aroma of animal-based products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If encapsulated flavourants are used in current delivery systems, then flavour stability during processing and storage is improved, but the time-intensity flavour profile becomes unbalanced with high initial peak followed by diminished flavour
Solution Approach 1:
The flavour delivery system is segmented into two distinct components: spray-dried particles containing encapsulated flavourants and flavour granules containing native starch, xanthan gum and/or konjac with flavourant on the surface. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function - the spray-dried particles provide stability while the flavour granules extend flavour duration, resolving the contradiction between stability and duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite materials by combining spray-dried particles (with encapsulated flavourants in a matrix) and flavour granules (with core material and surface flavourant). This composite approach enables the system to achieve both flavour stability during storage and extended flavour release during consumption, as each material contributes different properties to the overall system.
2Power
If high initial taste peak is delivered, then immediate flavour impact is improved, but off-tastes become strong and unpleasant after the peak drops
Solution Approach 1:
The flavour delivery system operates through periodic action by releasing flavourants in phases. The spray-dried particles provide controlled release over time while the flavour granules contribute surface flavourant that releases gradually during chewing. This periodic release pattern maintains balanced flavour intensity and prevents the buildup of off-tastes that occur with single high-peak delivery.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flavourants are added pre-extrusion, then processing flexibility is improved, but stability to oxidation and hydrolysis during shelf life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-encapsulating flavourants in the spray-dried particles before extrusion processing. This preliminary encapsulation protects the flavourants from oxidation and hydrolysis during storage while maintaining the flexibility to add them at different stages of product formulation. The flavour granules are also prepared in advance with their core material and surface flavourant coating.
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 system provides a long-lasting, balanced, and authentic flavor experience, masking off-tastes and maintaining stability during processing and storage, effectively enhancing the flavor profile of plant-based meat analogues to resemble animal-based products.
Implementation Method 1
spray-dried particles comprising a water-soluble matrix and at least one flavorant encapsulated in the matrix
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble matrix
Implementation Method 3
flavor granules comprising a core material and a flavorant on the core material
Data Source
AI summary
A flavour delivery system is provided. Methods for making the flavour delivery product and the consumables containing the food delivery product are also disclosed. The consumable may be a plant-based meat analogue that closely mimics the flavour, aroma and mouthfeel of animal-based protein products over the entire chewing experience.