Leguminous Protein Beverage Powder Texture Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing leguminous protein powders for beverages often lack creaminess and are prone to chalkiness, and they require additional ingredients like hydrocolloids and emulsifiers to achieve desired textures, which can increase formulation complexity.

Innovation Solution

A new powder preparation for beverages using a leguminous protein extract with a protein content of 75% or higher, characterized by specific properties such as a Turbiscan Stability Index below 5.0 and a rheometer viscosity between 0.40 and 0.75 Pa.s, which improves texture, stability, and reduces foaming without the need for hydrocolloids or emulsifiers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If leguminous protein powders are used in powder mix formulations, then the formulation avoids animal proteins and their drawbacks, but the texture in the mouth shows lower creaminess, lower mouthfeel, and higher chalkiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavoidance of animal protein drawbacks (allergenicity, environmental impact)VSAvoidsensory texture quality (creaminess, mouthfeel, chalkiness)
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution of leguminous protein powder within specific ranges (D10: 5-20 μm, D50: 20-40 μm, D90: 40-80 μm) and adjusting moisture content to 2-8%. These parameter optimizations improve creaminess and mouthfeel while reducing chalkiness, resolving the sensory texture quality issue without compromising the plant-based protein advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If additional ingredients like hydrocolloids and emulsifiers are added to improve texture, then creaminess and mouthfeel are enhanced, but the formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensory texture quality (creaminess, mouthfeel)VSAvoidformulation complexity (number of ingredients)
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional hydrocolloids and emulsifiers by optimizing the leguminous protein powder's intrinsic properties through particle size control and moisture adjustment. This extraction approach removes unnecessary ingredients while maintaining improved sensory texture quality, thereby reducing formulation complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If protein powder is suspended in water for beverage preparation, then the beverage can be consumed, but the protein may settle during standing time and foam occurs during shaking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeverage preparation feasibilityVSAvoidsuspension stability (settlement during standing, foaming during shaking)
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-optimizing the leguminous protein powder's particle size distribution and moisture content before beverage preparation. This preliminary optimization ensures that the powder maintains stable suspension during standing and minimizes foaming during shaking, resolving the suspension stability issue while keeping the beverage preparation process simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 new powder preparation achieves enhanced creaminess, reduced chalkiness, and improved suspensibility in water, resulting in a more desirable mouthfeel and texture for beverage powders, while simplifying the formulation by eliminating the need for additional thickeners and stabilizers.

Implementation Method 1

the powder is suspended by shaking. Foaming occurs during that step. The shaker is then allowed to stand, so that the foam quantity reduces.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Implementation Method 2

a rheometer viscosity going from 0.40 to 0.75 Pa.s, the viscosity being determined at 20°C, with a shear rate of 40s-1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRheology:

Data Source

PatentEP4563006A1Powder mix formulations with improved sensory profile
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 ROQUETTE FRERES SA
  • EP4563006A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4563006A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4563006A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a powder preparation for beverages comprising a leguminous protein extract, wherein the leguminous protein extract has a protein content, expressed on dry weight basis of the extract, of 75% or higher, a dry matter ranging from 90 to 100%, wherein the protein extract has a Turbiscan Stability Index TSI at the Middle Region TSIMR below 5.0 and a rheometer viscosity going from 0.40 to 0.75 Pa.s, the viscosity being determined at 20°C, with a shear rate of 40s-1, on an aqueous suspension having 15% weight of dry matter.