EXAMPLE 6 The following components were employed in the amounts indicated to prepare the protein mix:
Kaysoy 50A, commercially available soy flakes 1118... 233.0 Chicken loaf seasoning lbs 11.5 Corn starch lbs 2.5 NaCl 'lhs 2.0 CaCl lbs 0.733 NaOH, dry flakes, 97% g 120.0 Water lbs 86.0
The soy flakes were transferred to a ribbon blender at F. and blended with the slow addition of 60 lbs. of water. Upon complete addition of the water, blending was continued for 7 to 8 minutes. To the blend was then added the sodium hydroxide with additional blending for about 15 minutes. A solution of the calcium chloride in 26 lbs. of water was then added to the blend and mixing was continued for an additional 7 to 8 minutes. A crude mixture of the sodium chloride and the chicken loaf seasoning followed by the corn starch was then added. Mixing was then continued for an additional 15 minutes. The resulting protein mix was then cooled to room temperature.
The resulting protein mix was then extruded in a Prodex 1% inch extruder equipped with a medium compression screw and an extrusion die containing eight X inch diameter orifices. The temperature of the protein mix in the feeding zone of the extruder was maintained at 300 to 305 F. by heatingthe extruder barrel to 200 F. The temperature of the protein mix in the plasticizing zone was maintained at 320 to 330 F. by maintaining the extruder barrel at 320 F. The extrusion die was maintained at 310 F. The extruder screw was operated at maximum speed to result in a pressure of 550 p.s.i. in the plasticizing zone and a pressure at the entrance of the die of 300 p.s.i. The continuous plexilamellar protein extrudate was cut into chunks by a rotating cutter. The extrudate exhibited a hydration ratio of 3.75.
Similar results are obtained if instead of the soy flakes used in the foregoing examples a soy protein obtained by isoelectric point precipitation of protein solubilized from soy flakes, whale flour produced by the solvent extraction of whale meat, solvent extracted peanut meal, ground nut meal, cottonseed meal, or commercial casein is employed.
As illustrated in the foregoing examples, the hydrated plexilamellar protein of the present invention has the texture, appearance, and eating characteristics of cooked meat. Plexilamellar protein is readily produced on a continuous basis and can be packaged, handled, and stored in the dry form without requiring canning. On hydration, the product can be boiled, fried, roasted, and/or steamed without loss of shape or texture. The versatility of the process of the present invention allows the formation of a wide variety of edible products of difiering texture Without destroying the unique characteristic of the product of the present invention; namely, its similarity in texture to cooked meat and its retention of texture and shape on hydration. The flexibility of the process of the present invention also allows the addition of modifiers without changing the basic nature of the product. It is eminently suited for the conversion of inexpensive, impure proteins, e.g. soy meal, into highly attractive meat-like products of high nutritional value.
From the foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention, numerous modifications and alterations will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that such be included within the scope of the present invention.
What is claimed is:
1. An expanded food product comprising a solventextracted oil seed proteinaceous material having a protein concentration of at least 30 percent, substantially free of non-proteinaceous fillers and having an open cell structure, in which the majority of the cells have cell dimensions of greater length than average width, the length of said cells being substantially aligned.
2. An expanded food product consisting essentially of a solvent-extracted oil seed proteinaceous material having protein concentrations of at least 40 percent and having an open cell structure in which the majority of the cells have cell dimensions of greater length than average width, the length of said cells being substantially aligned, and a hydration ratio in the range of 2.0 to 8.5.
3. The expanded food product of claim 1 wherein the oil seed proteinaceous material is a solvent-extracted soybean material.
4. The expanded food product of claim 1 wherein the solvent-extracted oil seed proteinaceous material has a protein concentration of 40-70 percent by weight.
5. The expanded food product of claim 1 containing from to 88% by weight of the product of water.
6. An expanded food product comprising a solventextracted oil seed proteinaceous material having a protein concentration of at least 30 percent, being substantially free of non-proteinaceous fillers having a plexilamellar structure defining open cells of irregular shape, a majority of which have greater length than average Width and are substantially aligned, and being charact