Fibrous Rapeseed Protein Texturization Without Hexane Denaturation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for processing rapeseed meal to remove anti-nutritional components and enhance functional properties of rapeseed protein are inefficient, leading to reduced protein solubility and denaturation, limiting its suitability for food applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving hydro-ethanol washing of rapeseed press cake followed by texturizing the extracted protein concentrate using extrusion and shear cell technology to create fibrous protein structures, without using non-polar solvents like hexane, enhances functional properties and reduces anti-nutritional components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional extraction methods using non-polar solvents like hexane are used to process rapeseed meal, then anti-nutritional components are removed, but protein solubility is reduced and denaturation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-nutritional componentsVSAvoidprotein solubility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the extraction parameter from non-polar solvent (hexane) to polar solvent (aqueous ethanol with 50-95% ethanol content), which fundamentally alters the extraction mechanism to preserve protein solubility while still removing anti-nutritional components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces aqueous ethanol as an intermediary solvent that bridges the gap between removing hydrophobic anti-nutritional components and preserving hydrophilic protein structures, achieving both goals simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional extraction methods are used to remove anti-nutritional components, then the purification is achieved, but the functional properties of rapeseed protein are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanti-nutritional componentsVSAvoidfunctional properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes multiple parameters including ethanol concentration (50-95%), temperature (20-60°C), and extraction time to achieve optimal balance between purification and functional property preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary texturization treatment to the protein concentrate before final processing, which pre-establishes the functional structure and enhances resistance to denaturation during subsequent processing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If texturizing process is applied to create fibrous structures, then the functional properties are improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional propertiesVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines extraction and texturization operations into an integrated process flow where the extracted protein concentrate is immediately subjected to texturization, eliminating intermediate handling steps and reducing overall process complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The texturization device performs multiple functions including mixing, heating, shearing, and structure formation in a single unit, reducing the need for separate equipment and simplifying the overall process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 process produces a high-quality fibrous protein concentrate with improved functional properties, such as nitrogen solubility, water hydration capacity, and rheological properties, suitable for edible products.

Implementation Method 1

washing said press cake by mixing it with a first hydrous-alcohol solvent to obtain a washed press cake

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

texturizing the extracted protein concentrate using extrusion and shear cell technology to create fibrous protein structures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Implementation Method 3

texturizing the extracted protein concentrate using extrusion and shear cell technology

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectExtrusion: Extrusion

Data Source

PatentEP4181686B1Texturized oilseed proteinaceous material
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITEIT
  • EP4181686B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4181686B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2F
  • EP4181686B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of fibrous proteinaceous structures from an oilseed, preferably a Brassicaceae seed, more preferably rapeseed, comprising the steps of providing a protein concentrate from said seed extracted with hydro-alcohol, and texturizing the protein concentrate at a temperature between 80 °C and 160 °C. The invention further relates to a fibrous proteinaceous structure that is obtained from extracted seed protein concentrate, having a tensile stress between 50 and 600 kPa and a tensile strain between 0.1 and 1, to an edible product comprising said fibrous proteinaceous structure, and to the use of said fibrous proteinaceous structure in the manufacture of an edible product.