Abstract: A machine is provided for practicing the method of forming a comestible in one of a variety of shapes from a foodstuff slurry. The slurry includes a gel-forming material and is supplied in predetermined amounts to a cavity which has been washed with a combination release and gellation agent. Apparatus is provided for contacting the exposed surface of the slurry in the cavity with a gellation agent to gel the gel-forming material at the outer surface of the formed product. Further apparatus is provided for transporting the cavity filled with the foodstuff to a product removal station. Punch apparatus is aligned with the cavity at the product removal station and is actuated to extend into and extrude the product from the cavity onto a conveyor belt to be removed for further processing.

Abstract: Pliable vegetable proteins suitable for use as extenders or textured vegetable proteins in meat analogs are prepared by forming a homogeneous aqueous dispersion of water-soluble vegetable protein and edible plasticizers, drying and heat-denaturing the dispersion so as to form a friable mass and hydrating the mass with an aqueous acid to convert the hydrate to a pliable protein product. Illustrative product formulating ingredients include soy protein concentrates, polyols, triglycerides and lactic acid as an acidulant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for texturizing protein products wherein a protein dough containing a heat coagulable protein is passed through a screw conveyor that has an internal conveying section which changes in configuration such that the dough is stretched during passage through the conveyor, while at the same time is heated to a temperature above the heat coagulation temperature of the protein to ultimately provide a meat-like fiber structure wherein the fibers are aligned.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the treatment of spun protein fibers which comprises carrying out one or more of the fiber coagulation, fiber stretching, fiber neutralizing or washing steps in a treatment bath fluid which contains as treating agents for the fibers, one or more of the following: a nitrogen-containing organic acid or salt or nitrogen-containing organic buffering agent, which may or may not be permitted to remain in the finished fibers, in a concentration effective to provide the principal buffering capacity in the treatment bath fluid.

Abstract: Fibres containing casein and at least one heat-settable protein are prepared by dry-spinning an aqueous protein mixture containing calcium- and phosphate ions at a temperature below the gelling point of the protein mixture and drying the fibres obtained.

Abstract: An improved bacon analog product and a method for preparing it are provided. The improved product has more of the natural crispness of real bacon than earlier analogs. This improvement is noticeable not only initially upon opening the package but also after extended times in a moist environment. The improvement is obtained by virtue of improved formulation and processing.

Abstract: A method for preparing dried flaked textured high vegetable protein which instantly hydrates a portion content of 30 percent or more, and has an improved flavor. The process includes texturizing vegetable protein material by subjecting such vegetable protein material containing moisture to a pressure of at least 1,800 pounds per square inch for a time and at a temperature sufficient to convert said moisture into steam whereby such vegetable protein material is partially disembittered, toasted without scorching and is compacted into a hard and substantially fused mass having textured characteristics. The fused mass is fragmented into particles. The textured vegetable protein material is sized so that the retained portion of the textured vegetable protein material has a particle size between one inch and 0.0469 inch.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing a processing method which preferably includes extruding a vegetable protein-water mixture in a first extrusion cooker under conditions to render the mixture hot and flowable but still substantially unoriented, whereupon the mixture is passed through a second extrusion cooker which is equipped with a hollow tubular spacer on the extrusion end thereof. In this manner the mixture is subjected to further axial and transverse displacement forces in the second extruder barrel in order to adequately work and stretch the protein therein while being subjected primarily to axially directed displacement forces in the elongated die spacer for facilitating the formation of a layered meat-like structure therein prior to extrusion; in addition, conditions of temperature and pressure are controlled so that the resultant product is relatively dense and unexpanded.

Abstract: Irregularly shaped, gelled fat particles are made by admixing a triglyceride fat or oil and a gelling agent with heating and then gelling the mixture by cooling with agitation. The gelled, irregularly shaped particles have a chewy texture and are incorporated into meat analog products resembling comminuted natural meat.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared from a dough-like mixture of proteinaceous material and water. The proteinaceous material can comprise relatively low protein content blends or even single ingredients such as soy flour. The process comprises continuously extruding the protein dough in the form of a relatively thin sheet of semi-rigid protein material into a confined treating zone while simultaneously subjecting the thin sheet in the extrusion die to externally applied heat to texturize both surfaces of the sheet before it enters into the confined zone. In the confined zone a stream of heated gas is directed at the thin sheet of surface-texturized protein to break off the leading segment of the sheet and further to propel the segments through the confined zone where additional texturization takes place. Finally, the protein segments are passed through a back pressure means at the end of the confined zone, and recovered in usable form.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for producing textured products which comprises means for producing a dispersion of raw products, means forming filaments from the dispersion, means establishing a fluid medium, means for feeding the filaments into the fluid medium, and means for coagulating the filaments. Given .DELTA.v, the difference between the speed at which the fluid medium travels and the speed at which the filaments are introduced into the fluid medium, the apparatus can be adjusted in the following manner:.DELTA.v < 0,product: cotton-like bundle of cut-up filaments;.DELTA.v = 0,product: filament with large cross-section and undulated outer surface;.DELTA.v > 0,product: thread-like continuous filament with small cross-section.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing fibrous protein materials useful for meat analogs. According to this method, an aqueous mixture of a heat coagulable protein is frozen by cooling the mixture in a manner and at a rate effective to produce elongated ice crystals generally aligned perpendicular to the surface of cooling, and immersing the resulting frozen mass in an aqueous solution, comprising an edible, water-soluble material capable of lowering the freezing point of water and stabilizing the protein, for a time effective to stabilize the protein in the frozen mass. Aqueous ethanol is a preferred solution. The properties of a wide variety of meat products can be simulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing fibrous protein materials useful for fish analogs. According to this method, an aqueous mixture of a heat coagulable protein is frozen by cooling the mixture in a manner and at a rate effective to produce elongated ice crystals generally aligned perpendicular to the surface of cooling, then subjected to a temperature substantially different from that of the frozen mass, and the protein in the frozen mass is then stabilized effectively to preserve its structural integrity during subsequent heating to set the protein.

Abstract: An aqueous suspension of a proteinaceous mass of fungal mycelial fibers is foamed with a gas such as air under shear conditions adequate to break the gas into bubbles small enough to be retained by the suspension but not so vigorous as to destroy the fungal mycelial fibers. The resulting slurry is filtered to remove most of the water while retaining the air. The resulting filter cake retains its foamed structure and can then be further processed if desired and air dried to produce a texturized meat-like product. In a preferred aspect of the invention the filter cake is sliced into strips, recompacted and dried to produce a product closely resembling meat in physical properties.

Abstract: A method of preparing a protein food product having an arrangement of helically aligned protein layers is disclosed wherein an aqueous slurry of a proteinaceous material is frozen by conveying said slurry through an extruder equipped to provide a freezing zone in order to form ice crystal layers in said slurry which mold the protein material of the slurry into striated layers arranged in the form of a helix. The frozen extruded product is then heat set at a temperature sufficiently high to allow the protein layers to heat set and melt the ice crystal layers to form a protein food product. The resultant product has an improved degree of toughness because of "cross structuring" of the protein layers which is an inherent effect of the helix arrangement of the protein layers in the product.

Abstract: Dry mixes for use with ground meat and water to provide products in the nature of lunchmeat specialities. The dry mix compositions include starch or a starch source material, a two component protein ingredient, a meat curing agent, an alkaline phosphate salt and sodium chloride. Processes for preparing products from the dry mixes.

Abstract: A bland texturized monofilament protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry of a protein material, injecting high pressure steam into the slurry to propel it through a confined treatment zone, centrifugally spinning the protein material into monofilaments, and recovering the textured monofilaments in a collection zone. Apparatus for performing this process comprises means for injecting steam into a protein slurry, means defining a confined treatment zone wherein the injected steam and protein are contacted, and means for centrifugally spinning the steam-treated protein material into monofilaments.

Abstract: A shaped protein food product comprising edible textured protein particles bound together by heat-set 7S soybean protein isolate.

Abstract: A process for producing a food product having portions simulating in color the appearance of lean meat and other portions simulating in color the appearance of fat, comprising the steps of compounding together, with heating sufficient at least to pasteurize, a first portion of food components incorporating a material imparting to the first portion a color simulating that of lean meat; compounding together, with heating sufficient at least to pasteurize, a second portion of food components incorporating a material imparting to the second portion a color simulating that of fat, at least one of said portions containing protein, thereafter cooling the said portions so as to establish, between the cooled portions, a temperature difference of 5-25.degree. C.; and commingling the differentially-temperatured portions at a temperature below about 50.degree. C., whereby the colored portions are cohesive one to the other without excessive deleterious bleeding therebetween.

Abstract: A concentrated proteinaceous food material which is suitable for the production of various cooking foodstuffs resembling those of livestock meat which has a texture like that of livestock meat and which shows an excellent water-retaining property is obtained by adding to marine animal meat an edible salt to adjust pH value of said meat in the range of from 6.5 to 7.7 and removing fats and water by use of a hydrophilic organic solvent. In one embodiment the pH of the marine animal meat is adjusted to a value in the range of from 7.2 to 7.7 by using, as the edible salt, a bicarbonate and, at the same time, mixing the meat with common salt or a sucrose fatty acid ester to convert the meat into a meat paste and subsequently removing fats and water by use of a hydrophilic organic solvent.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for preparing quick-cooking food products which are palatable, bland, light colored, meat-like in texture, chewable chunks when hydrated. Plant protein material such as, solvent-extracted soybean meal or flakes, or peanuts, sesame seeds, cotton seeds, lentil beans, etc. containing 30 percent or higher protein, 5 to 10 percent moisture and and NSI of about 30 to 70 is fed into a press having means therein for adjusting the press and subjected to a pressure of at least 1,800 pounds per square inch for a time and at a temperature sufficient to convert the moisture into steam. As a result, the plant protein material is rendered partially or substantially bland, e.g., disembittered, toasted without scorching, and compacted into a hard and substantially fused mass which is textured or meat-like when hydrated. The mass is fragmented into chunks which are preferably graded.

Abstract: A proteinaceous mass of fungal mycelial fibers is treated by rapid dielectric heating to reduce the moisture content by from 8 to 40 weight percent to give a product with a solids level of 30 to 70 weight percent, and preferably a solids level of 40 to 60 weight percent. The initial proteinaceous mass may be pretreated such as by aqueous thermal shock to reduce the nucleic acid content, before it is formed into fiber bundles of from 0.2 to 1.0 mm. in diameter, and having an average length to diameter ratio of greater than 20. These bundles are interconnected by groups of hyphae or by single hyphal with average diameter of from 0.004 to 0.01 mm. and length to diameter ratio of from 10 to 1000. The dielectric heating process puffs and crosslinks (heat sets) the product which then may be further dried such as in a hot air oven to reduce the moisture content of the mass to the desired level below 10 weight percent. The product is rehydratable to 1 to 5 and preferably 1.5 to 3.

Abstract: A shaped protein food product comprising edible textured protein particles bound together by heat-set cottonseed protein isolate.

Abstract: A meat analog product resembling comminuted natural meat is made by a process of: (a) contacting with hot water and agitation a mixture comprising fat and two proteins having different temperatures of heat coagulation thereby heat coagulating one of the proteins to form agglomerates; and (b) heating the agglomerates to heat coagulate the other protein.

Abstract: A dense, uniformly layered, relatively unexpanded extrusion cooked vegetable protein based meat analogue product is provided, which has meat-like texture, mouth-feel and appearance characteristics permitting use of the product as a full substitute for meats such as pork, beef, fish and poultry. In addition, a method and apparatus for making the products hereof is also provided. The product is preferably made up of a mixture of a vegetable protein such as defatted soy flour and moisture which is extrusion processed to present an analogue having a plurality of juxtaposed, manually separable meat-like layers which are substantially untwisted relative to each other and strongly resemble real meat.

Abstract: A protein food product having a general appearance, taste, nutritional properties similar to those of dried meat and having also a cracked texture similar to the fibrous texture of dried meat is produced by partially dehydrating a homogeneous mass of aqueous vegetable protein gel.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming a dough-like mixture of protein material and water, and extruding a continuous tubular shell of the protein dough, while simultaneously injecting steam into the interior of the tubular shell, whereby the tubular shell of protein is blown into discrete pieces of irregularly shaped protein material by the steam flow. The steam flow then propels the protein pieces into and through a confined treating zone in which further texturization is accomplished. Finally, the protein material is passed through a back pressure maintaining means and recovered in usable form. Apparatus for performing this process comprises an extrusion assembly consisting of a screw feed chamber communicating with an extrusion die assembly which produces a continuous tubular shell of extrudate. The extrusion die is provided with means for injecting steam into the interior of the tubular shell of extrudate formed.

Abstract: A bland protein product comprising large diceable chunks of texturized protein having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry containing 40 to 50% of a protein material having a protein content of at least 70% on a solids basis, injecting steam into the slurry to propel it through a cooking tube containing a restriction means, passing the protein material through a pressure letdown pump at the discharge end of the cooking tube, and recovering the textured product in a collection zone. The injection steam pressure is chosen to maintain a product temperature of 310.degree. to 350.degree.F. and a back pressure of about 60 to 80 psi in the cooking tube. The protein material also may be subjected to further texturizing treatments after the pressure letdown pump. The process is particularly useful in the co-texturization of meat and vegetable protein mixtures. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bland protein product having a texture and mouth feel simulating animal meat is prepared by forming an aqueous slurry containing 40 to 50% of a protein material having a protein content of at least 70% on a solids basis, injecting steam into the slurry to propel it through a cooking tube, passing the protein material through a back pressure valve at the discharge end of the cooking tube, and recovering the textured product in a collection zone. The injection steam pressure is chosen to maintain a product temperature of 310.degree. to 350.degree. F. and a back pressure of about 60 to 80 psi in the cooking tube. Between the back pressure valve and the collection zone the protein material is subjected to an agglomeration and stretching treatment accomplished by passing the protein and steam mixture through a restriction means, or by injecting a stream of cold water at right angles into the cooked protein and steam mixture, or by both of these steps. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: An expanded protein product is made by extruding, preferably following heating and working, a mix containing a proteinaceous material, an animal or vegetable fat, a non-proteinaceous and non-farinaceous filler, sulfur and/or a sulfur compound, and water from a high pressure zone to a low pressure zone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing large chunks or loaves of textured protein material. The process in its preferred aspects comprises: forming a plurality of substantially unpuffed, fibrous protein strips by compressing, elongating, and heating an aqueous dough mixture and releasing the compression; fibrilating the strips; soaking the strips in a binder medium based on egg albumen; layering the strips to align the fibers and to substantially eliminate voids; and heat setting the binder, preferably by microwave energy.

Abstract: A meat product formed from consolidated comminuted meat, meat anologue or meat, incorporating a proportion of texturized vegetable protein, is improved in respect of heat shrinkage and (in the case of dried meat products) in respect of dehydration/rehydration rates, by incorporating therein a minor proportion of potato pulp.

Abstract: Edible protein fibers with improved characteristics are produced by spinning an aqueous solution of proteins which has been subjected to a heat pre-treatment, into a hot coagulating medium in which the extrudate is completely gelled to obtain fibers of satisfactory texture which can be incorporated in foodstuffs.

Abstract: A process of continuously forming pH modified protein filaments from a proteinaceous material is disclosed wherein an aqueous slurry of the proteinaceous material is formed having a proteinaceous solids content of between about 0.5 and 35% by weight. Discrete filaments are formed by conducting the slurry under pressure through a heat exchange zone and heating the slurry to a temperature which is above 240.degree. F. whereby the protein is subjected to such temperature for a sufficient period of time so that elongated filaments are thereafter separated from the remaining constituents of the slurry. The heated slurry is then continuously removed from said heat exchange zone through a back pressure creating orifice whereby discharge of said filaments from the heat exchange zone to a collecting zone is controlled by confining the stream of said filaments to within a total angle of between about 4.degree. and 90.degree..

Abstract: A process for the production of a pet food product resembling a "cooked" hamburger patty is set forth, which has a moisture content exceeding about 40% by weight and is stabilized against bacterial and mycotic penetration comprising: grinding raw animal meat into particles of a substantially uniform size, heating the same and impregnating the meat with a preservative composition which comprises a mixture of a bacteriostatic agent and an edible antimycotic. A critically defined range of expanded protein pieces are added to the final product which is between about 25 to 90% by volume of the product. The addition of a critically defined percentage of the expanded protein pieces provides a realistic chunky appearance and gives the product a shear value which exceeds about .080 ft. lb./gram. The bacteriostatic agent is preferably an organic acid selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, pyruvic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, glucono-.DELTA.

Abstract: A process of making meat analogs which comprises forming a dry protein mix, adjusting the moisture content of the dry mix to form a dough-like protein wet mix, sheeting the protein wet mix to form a coherent workable protein dough sheet, cutting the sheet to form fiber-like strands, aggregating the strands into a desired fiber alignment, preferably coating the aligned fibers with an edible binder material, and stabilizing the fibers to form a coherent fiber mass closely resembling meat in appearance, texture, and eating quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing fibrous protein materials useful for meat analogs. According to this method, an aqueous mixture of a heat coagulable protein is frozen by cooling the mixture in a manner and at a rate effective to produce elongated ice crystals generally aligned perpendicular to the surface of cooling, freeze drying the frozen mass, and heat setting the dried protein material. The properties of a wide variety of meat products can be simulated.

Abstract: A process for the production of crab analogue meats from wheat gluten is disclosed. Meat material of finely fibriform structure typical of crab meats is produced by blending reducing agent and foaming agent with wheat gluten, and thereafter subjecting the resulting blended material to gelation with heat and stirring.

Abstract: A shaped protein food product comprising edible textured protein particles bound together by heat-set soybean protein isolate.

Abstract: A method of continuously forming elongated protein filaments from a cooked meat source is disclosed which comprises forming an aqueous slurry of a cooked meat source having a solids content of at least about 10 percent by weight and a pH of between about 3 and 10, followed by treatment of the noted slurry to provide a pumpable slurry with a viscosity ratio, as measured at a solids level of 15 percent by weight, to an uncooked meat slurry of substantially identical composition of at least about 1:2. Elongated protein filaments are thereafter formed from the slurry by continuously conducting the slurry under pressure through a heat exchanger and heating the slurry to a critical temperature of at least about 280.degree. F. and preferably between about 310.degree. - 335.degree. F. while the protein is subjected to such temperature for a sufficient period of time so that elongated filaments are separated from the slurry.

Abstract: Meat-like foods having a perceptible fiber bundle structure resembling that of natural muscle meat are prepared by mechanically interlocking edible protein fibers, such as spun vegetable protein fibers, in groups, which are subsequently assembled into a mass and set to a coherent body with an edible binder, preferably a heat-coagulable protein. The fibers in the bundles may be entwined or enravelled by the turbulence of a fluid jet, such as air or water, or by being passed between rotating parallel rollers that are reciprocated relative to one another in the direction of their axes.

Abstract: Food products comprising solid foodstuffs and more especially meat, meat by-products or other proteinaceous materials are contained in an aqueous phase of near neutral pH value thickened or gelled by pectic substances having a degree of esterification (methoxylation) of less than 20%. Where a rigid gel is required the pectic substance is preferably reacted with a di- or tri-valent metal ion, notably calcium ion and also with a sequestrant. The pectic substance may be a purified or isolated pectate or a natural pectin source, for example citrus peel, in which the pectic substance has the required low level of esterification, for example by enzymatic or chemical treatment of the natural material.

Abstract: A dense, uniformly layered, relatively unexpanded extrusion cooked vegetable protein based meat analogue product, which has meat-like texture, mouth-feel and appearance characteristics permitting use of the product as a full substitute for meats such as pork, beef, fish and poultry is made up of a mixture of a vegetable protein such as defatted soy flour and moisture which is extrusion processed to present an analogue having a plurality of juxtaposed, manually separable meat-like layers which are substantially untwisted relative to each other and strongly resemble real meat. The product is prepared by extruding a vegetable protein-water mixture in a first extrusion cooker under conditions to render the mixture hot and flowable but still substantially unoriented, whereupon the mixture is passed through a second extrusion cooker which is equipped with a hollow tubular spacer on the extrusion end thereof.

Abstract: Process for preparing hydratable, proteinaceous food products involving: subjecting moist (e.g., crumbly to free-flowing), hydratable, proteinaceous food material having suitable moisture to elevated mechanical pressure and suitable temperature and pH conditions to convert the protein material under non-puffing conditions to a dense, substantially homogeneous, translucent to glassy, coherent, bonded, proteinaceous product of desired size and shape. The material is thereby bonded together so as to be capable of withstanding the disruptive deterioration and loss of structural identity caused by subjecting the proteinaceous material to retorting conditions such as used in food processing. The translucent to glassy, proteinaceous product yields hydrated food products having structural integrity and desired textural characteristics.

Abstract: A novel protein food product having a porous expanded structure with the texture and organoleptic properties of meat, is produced by a process which comprises: forming a mixture of a vegetable protein containing material and a meat source in an amount of between about 5 to 80% by weight, said mixture having a protein content on a dry basis of at least about 25% by weight, followed by extrusion of said mixture to form a porous expanded food product. The extrusion of a meat source and vegetable protein material provides a product having the economic and functional advantages of a simulated meat piece derived solely from a vegetable protein containing material, with the palatability of a real piece of meat because of the use of a meat source in the product.

Abstract: A process for producing a soybean and other vegetable protein based food product having an enhanced protein content and the texture and mouth feel of meat and other chewy foods which comprises contacting a compacted, defatted, vegetable protein containing seed meal material with water and a polyhydric alcohol having bacteriostatic properties at a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 6.5 at elevated temperatures and superatmospheric pressures for a time sufficient to extract a substantial amount of the non-proteinaceous solubles and increase the protein content thereof while essentially maintaining the structural integrity of the starting material, recovering the product from the aqueous liquor and reducing the moisture content thereof to produce a porous product containing an amount of polyhydric alcohol sufficient to render it resistant to bacterial attack when packaged without sterilization or canning.

Abstract: A process for preparing a flavoring agent by reaction of a monosaccharide and a plastein supplemented with a sulfur-containing amino acid in the presence of water at 80.degree. to 120.degree. C., and the product thereby obtained, as well as meat-flavored textured protein compositions having incorporated therein 0.1 to 10% by weight of the above flavoring agent.

Abstract: A textured protein product is formed from a slurry by solubilizing vegetable or animal protein in alkaline aqueous medium, precipitating the protein by adjusting pH and temperature from the slurry, recovering the precipitated protein mass, shaping the recovered protein mass, and treating the protein mass with a hydrophobic liquid.

Abstract: A textured protein product is obtained by precipitating vegetable or animal protein from a protein slurry, shaping the recovered protein and heating the shaped protein in a liquid hydrophobic medium.

Abstract: A process for preparing a soybean protein material having a red color which when combined with uncured meat makes a product having a uniform red color in the raw state and which when cooked has a uniform grey-brown color similar to cooked natural meat. This combined product is prepared by treating the soy protein material with a combination of the colorants betanin and canthaxanthin. The disclosure is directed to the special colored soy protein product, and also its combination with uncured meats.