Plant-Based Adipose Tissue Food Composition for Authentic Texture

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of foods that mimic animal adipose tissue using plant-based materials, which are not widely available on the market.

Innovation Solution

A food resembling animal adipose tissue is created using rice flour, vegetable protein, and fat and/or oil, with specific proportions and optional additives like starch and oligosaccharides, through a process of mixing and heating to form an emulsion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If plant-based materials are used to create animal adipose tissue-like food, then environmental impact is reduced and livestock use is minimized, but such foods are not widely available and lack market presence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidmarket availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple plant-based materials (rice flour, vegetable protein, fat/oil) to create a composite food product that mimics animal adipose tissue. This composite approach enables the product to achieve the desired texture and functionality while maintaining plant-based composition, thereby reducing environmental impact and filling the market gap for plant-based adipose tissue alternatives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for each ingredient (rice flour: 1-15 mass%, vegetable protein: 1-15 mass%, fat/oil: 20-60 mass%) to optimize the product's adipose tissue-like characteristics. By controlling these compositional parameters, the invention achieves consistent quality and texture that mimics animal adipose tissue, making the product viable for market introduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If rice flour, vegetable protein, and fat/oil are combined in specific proportions, then adipose tissue-like texture is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadipose tissue-like textureVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies predetermined proportion ranges for each ingredient (rice flour: 1-15 mass%, vegetable protein: 1-15 mass%, fat/oil: 20-60 mass%) that can be directly used in manufacturing. This preliminary definition of optimal ratios simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex formulation development, allowing producers to directly replicate the recipe while achieving consistent adipose tissue-like texture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If plant-based materials are used instead of animal products, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but the food lacks the characteristic taste and texture of animal adipose tissue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegreenhouse gas emissionsVSAvoidtaste and texture authenticity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite formulation combining rice flour, vegetable protein, and fat/oil in specific proportions to replicate the sensory characteristics of animal adipose tissue. This multi-component approach allows the plant-based product to achieve authentic taste and texture while maintaining environmental sustainability by eliminating animal product use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns specific functional roles to each ingredient: rice flour provides the base matrix and texture, vegetable protein contributes to structure and mouthfeel, and fat/oil delivers the characteristic richness and flavor. By optimizing the local quality and function of each component, the composite product achieves overall authenticity in taste and texture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 food mimics the texture and taste of animal adipose tissue, providing a plant-based alternative that reduces environmental impact by minimizing livestock use and greenhouse gas emissions.

Implementation Method 1

mixing rice flour, a vegetable protein, a fat and/or oil, and water to prepare an emulsion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmulsion: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

heating the emulsion to solidify it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4649834A1Adipose tissue-like food
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 SHOWA SANGYO CO LTD
  • EP4649834A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4649834A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4649834A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

It is an object of the present invention to develop a food like animal adipose tissue using a plant-based material. By blending rice flour, a vegetable protein, and a fat and/or oil based on the present invention, a food like animal adipose tissue can be obtained.