Sucrose Ester Coating for Hard Panned Confection Color Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard panned confection coatings face challenges in achieving vibrant colors, especially when the underlying confection is colored, and there is a need for alternatives to titanium dioxide that are more naturally derived and cost-effective, while maintaining color accuracy and consumer acceptance.
Innovation Solution
A hard panned coating comprising multiple sugar syrup layers, where some layers include sucrose esters, which can replace conventional opacifiers, reducing raw material costs and maintaining color similarity to titanium dioxide-based coatings by achieving CIELAB color differences (ΔE) of 10 or less and L*, a*, and b* values within 5%.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If titanium dioxide is used as an opacifier in hard panned coating, then color accuracy and opacity are improved, but cost and natural derivation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive titanium dioxide with cheaper sucrose esters that can be applied in multiple layers. The sucrose ester-based precoat and colored layers achieve comparable color accuracy (ΔE ≤ 10) at lower material cost, effectively substituting a premium material with more economical alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating layers by substituting titanium dioxide with sucrose esters. By adjusting the formulation parameters (using sucrose esters in precoat and/or colored layers), the patent achieves similar optical properties (opacity and color accuracy) with different material parameters, thereby reducing cost while maintaining performance.
2Measurement precision
If titanium dioxide is used as an opacifier in hard panned coating, then color accuracy is improved, but consumer perception of natural derivation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes titanium dioxide with sucrose esters, which are perceived as more natural and consumer-friendly. The sucrose ester-based coating layers maintain color accuracy (ΔE ≤ 10) while improving consumer perception regarding natural derivation, effectively replacing a material with potential consumer concerns with naturally-derived alternatives.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material composition parameters from synthetic titanium dioxide to naturally-derived sucrose esters. This parameter change in chemical composition maintains the functional performance (color accuracy) while improving the qualitative parameter of natural derivation, thereby enhancing consumer acceptance.
3Measurement precision
If sucrose esters are included in every sugar syrup layer, then color accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sucrose esters selectively in specific layers (precoat and/or colored layers) rather than uniformly in all layers. This localized application strategy maintains color accuracy where it matters most (in the visible colored layers) while reducing overall sucrose ester usage and manufacturing cost, achieving optimal balance between performance and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses sucrose esters in a partial manner - only in the precoat layer and/or colored layers where they provide the most value for color accuracy, rather than in every layer. This partial application achieves sufficient color performance (ΔE ≤ 10) with reduced material cost and improved manufacturing efficiency compared to universal application.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a hard panned coating, and a hard panned confection comprising an edible core coated with the same. The hard panned coating comprises multiple sugar syrup layers, only some of which further comprise one or more sucrose esters. In some embodiments, titanium dioxide may be excluded from the sugar syrup/sucrose ester layers. In these, and other, embodiments, the hard panned coatings exhibit one or more L*, a* and b* values within 5% of the corresponding value of a colorant overcoat applied over a precoat comprising titanium dioxide. Raw material cost savings are thus provided, while yet providing a confection having enhanced properties.