Microwave-Assisted Reaction Flavor Solid Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for producing reaction flavor solid compositions are inefficient and costly, requiring separate steps for flavor formation and dehydration, which can result in laborious processing times, resource wastage, and impact flavor quality.

Innovation Solution

A process using microwave radiation to simultaneously form and dehydrate an aqueous slurry of reaction flavor precursor compounds, eliminating the need for sequential heating and drying steps, thereby reducing processing time and enhancing flavor profile diversity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional sequential methods are used for flavor formation and dehydration, then flavor composition can be controlled, but processing time and resource consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor composition controlVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the flavor formation reaction and dehydration steps into a single simultaneous process. Microwave radiation provides both the thermal energy for Maillard reactions and the evaporative power for water removal, eliminating the need for sequential batch processing and significantly reducing total processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The microwave-assisted process enables continuous simultaneous action of flavor development and moisture removal. The microwave energy continuously drives both the chemical reactions and the phase change of water, maintaining productive action throughout the entire processing period without idle transition phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional sequential methods are used for flavor formation and dehydration, then flavor quality can be maintained, but resource wastage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflavor qualityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges flavor formation and dehydration into one integrated microwave processing step. The microwave energy serves dual purposes: driving the Maillard reactions for flavor development and providing the evaporative energy for water removal, thereby eliminating redundant heating cycles and reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The process utilizes microwave-specific parameters (electromagnetic field frequency, power density, pulsed vs continuous modes) to simultaneously optimize both flavor reaction kinetics and water evaporation rate. By controlling microwave power and exposure time, the process achieves efficient simultaneous flavor development and dehydration with reduced energy input compared to conventional sequential thermal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If higher temperatures are used for faster processing, then processing time decreases, but flavor quality may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidflavor quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent exploits the unique heating characteristics of microwave radiation to achieve rapid flavor development at controlled temperatures. Microwave energy penetrates the material and generates heat internally through dielectric heating, enabling faster heating rates and shorter processing times while maintaining temperature uniformity that prevents localized burning or degradation of flavor compounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The process may utilize pulsed microwave irradiation patterns that alternately apply and suspend energy input. This periodic action allows brief high-intensity heating periods for rapid flavor formation followed by cooling intervals that prevent overheating, thereby achieving fast processing while preserving flavor quality through controlled thermal cycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic 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

This approach allows for the creation of reaction flavor solid compositions with intense, authentic flavor profiles in shorter times, achieving higher temperatures and lower water content, resulting in a variety of desirable flavor components not achievable with conventional methods.

Implementation Method 1

heating an aqueous slurry containing reaction flavour precursor compounds using microwave radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Implementation Method 2

The Applicant has now appreciated that microwave radiation can be employed to heat an aqueous slurry

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric heating: Dielectric Heating

Implementation Method 3

concomitantly dehydrating the slurry to form reaction flavour solid compositions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

heating an aqueous slurry containing reaction flavour precursor compounds using microwave radiation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMicrowave radiation: Microwave Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20230363427A1Preparation of a solid flavour composition, a composition, food comprising the composition and a flavour imparting method
Publication Date: 2023.11.16 GIVAUDAN SA

AI summary

A process of forming a reaction flavour solid composition, the process comprises the step of heating an aqueous slurry containing reaction flavour precursor compounds to form a reaction flavour, and concomitantly drying the slurry using microwave radiation to form a reaction flavour solid composition.