Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) and method is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is at least about 2, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) and method is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is at least about 2, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) and method is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is at least about 2, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) and method is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is at least about 2, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) and method is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is at least about 2, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: An improved low shear extrusion and dehydrating apparatus (10) is provided for the continuous extrusion of various starting materials (e.g., starch-bearing grains or starch fractions thereof, proteinaceous materials and/or nutraceuticals) to yield improved products, especially cold water swelling or soluble starch products. The invention is also useful for forming pre-gelled starch products and for processing starch-bearing materials using little or no surfactant. The apparatus (10) preferably includes an elongated extruder (18) together with a tubular die assembly (20) coupled to the outlet of the extruder barrel (32), wherein the volumetric ratio of the die assembly (20) to the free volume of the extruder (18) is from about 3-20, and the ratio of die assembly retention time to the extruder retention time is at least about 5.

Abstract: A short-time low-pollution method for preparing masa flour is provided wherein whole grain is first partially cooked in a hot alkaline treating solution to achieve at least about 15% gelatinization and loosening of the bran fraction of the grain. The partially cooked grain is then debranned and is subjected to a flash dehydration for quickly subdividing and reducing the moisture content of the grain. The dehydrated grain is then milled to create an acceptable masa flour.

Abstract: An improved extrusion process is provided for the production of freezeable breadings which can be applied to frozen food products and which essentially eliminates the problem of "frosty tips", i.e., the tendency of prior extruded breadings to exhibit an unappealing whitish color when breaded products were fried or baked. The process of the invention involves first preparing a moisturized breading mixture containing a major proportion of wheat flour, together with water and active yeast; this mixture is then passed into and through an extruder under moderate conditions of temperature, pressure and shear, followed by shredding and drying of the extrudate to a moisture content of from about 8-12% by weight.