Abstract: A process for the removal of sterols and/or lipid components (e.g., cholesterol and fats) from lipid containing food (e.g., meat) using sub or supercritical fluids (e.g., CO.sub.2) involves initial processing of the food to produce an intermediate moisture product in which substantially all of the "free water" but not all of the "bound water" is removed. Different moisture removal techniques may be used. Where freeze drying of food flakes is adopted the moisture level is preferable reduced to 30-55% w/w. The intermediate moisture product is treated with supercritical CO.sub.2 to remove the lipids therefrom. Optionally the cholesterol can be separated from the fat component by use of an adsorbent to selectively remove the cholesterol from the supercritical CO.sub.2. The product can be reconstituted with water and fat to provide a reconstituted meat product suitable for hamburgers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 14, 1991
Date of Patent:
September 15, 1992
Assignee:
Corran Norman Stuart McLachlan
Inventors:
Corran N. S. McLachlan, Owen J. Catchpole, Ross S. Nicol
Abstract: A process for the removal of sterols and/or lipid components (e.g., cholesterol and fats) from lipid containing food (e.g., meat) using sub or super-critical fluids (e.g., CO.sub.2) involves initial processing of the food to produce an intermediate moisture product in which substantially all of the "free water" but not all of the "bound water" is removed. Different moisture removal techniques may be used. Where freeze drying of food flakes is adopted the moisture level is preferably reduced to 30-55% w/w. The intermediate moisture product is treated with supercritical CO.sub.2 to remove the lipids therefrom. Optionally the cholesterol can be separated from the fat component by use of an absorbent to selectively remove the cholesterol from the supercritical CO.sub.2. The product can be reconstituted with water and fat to provide a reconstituted meat product suitable for hamburgers.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 13, 1989
Date of Patent:
June 25, 1991
Assignee:
Corran Norman Stuart McLachlan
Inventors:
Corran N. S. McLachlan, Owen J. Catchpole, Ross S. Nicol