Malate Co-Crystal Particles for Stable Instant Tart Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing particulate compositions for confectionery products do not provide stable, instantaneous tart flavor release and are prone to hygroscopicity, affecting their flowability and particle size consistency.
Innovation Solution
A particulate composition comprising at least 70 wt.% co-crystal of malic acid and alkali metal hydrogen malate, with a volume weighted average diameter of 20-180 μm, which remains intact and dissociates instantly upon contact with saliva to release flavor, maintaining stability and flowability even at high temperatures and humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing particulate compositions are used in confectionery products, then acidic flavor notes can be provided, but the release is not instantaneous and stable, and particle size may change affecting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of malic acid co-crystallized with alkali metal hydrogen malates (sodium, potassium, or calcium). This composite structure provides both instantaneous and stable flavor release while maintaining particle size stability during processing, resolving the contradiction between reliability of flavor release and compositional stability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional acidulant compositions are used, then flavor can be provided, but they become hygroscopic and change particle size at high temperatures and humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using specific co-crystal structures of malic acid with alkali metal hydrogen malates. This compositional modification fundamentally alters the material's interaction with moisture and temperature, making it non-hygroscopic and stable under high temperature and humidity conditions typical of confectionery processing.
3Ease of operation
If existing particulate compositions are used, then acidulant function is provided, but they do not remain intact and free-flowing during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by ensuring that each particle maintains its individual integrity and free-flowing characteristics throughout the processing sequence. The co-crystal structure provides a uniform surface property that prevents particle aggregation while maintaining flowability, allowing particles to remain intact and freely flowing during hard and soft panning operations.
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 composition ensures consistent tart flavor release and maintains free-flowing properties, suitable for confectionery applications without significant moisture uptake, ensuring product quality and stability over time.
Implementation Method 1
the co-crystal of malic acid and alkali metal hydrogen malate instantly dissociates into malate2− or hydrogen malate−, Na+/K+ and H+
Implementation Method 2
comprising at least 70 wt. % of co-crystal of malic acid and alkali metal hydrogen malate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a particulate composition having a volume weighted average diameter D4,3 of 20-180 μm and comprising at least 50 wt. % of malate particles, said malate particles comprising at least 70 wt. % of co-crystal of malic acid and alkali metal hydrogen malate.The particulate composition is advantageously applied in or onto confectionery products.