MEAT ALTERNATIVE COMPRISING AQUEOUS GELLING COMPOSITION

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of preparing a meat analogue, said method comprising the steps of: providing proteinaceous fibres comprising, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 40-80 wt. % of water and 5-50 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; providing an aqueous gelling composition, comprising by weight of the gelling composition: i. 0.01-2 wt. % xanthan gum; ii. 0.01-2 wt. % galactomannan; iii. at least 80 wt. % water; combining 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres with 2-50 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

The invention further relates to a meat analogue comprising an aqueous gelling composition and to the use of the aqueous gelling composition for enhancing juiciness in meat analogues.

Claims

1. A method of preparing a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: providing proteinaceous fibres comprising, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 40-80 wt. % of water and 5-50 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; providing an aqueous gelling composition, comprising by weight of the gelling composition: i. 0.05-2 wt. % xanthan gum; ii. 0.05-2 wt. % galactomannan; iii. at least 80 wt. % water; combining 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres with 2-50 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition, wherein the aqueous gelling composition is capable of forming a gel at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

2. The method according claim 1, wherein the combination of xanthan gum and galactomannan constitutes between 0.1-1 wt. % by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio xanthan gum to galactomannan is between 5:95 and 95:5.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the aqueous gelling composition comprises, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition, 0.4-10 wt. % of inorganic salt.

5. The method according claim 1, wherein the aqueous gelling composition comprises, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition, 0.2-5 wt. % of flavouring ingredients selected from glutamic acid, food-grade acidulant, combinations and salts thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres are mixed with 1-80 parts by weight of edible particulate ingredients before or during step c).

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the combining in step c) is performed by: injecting the aqueous gelling composition into a mass of proteinaceous fibres; infusing a mass of proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition; blending the proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition; and combinations thereof.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the combination of protein and water constitutes at least 80 wt. % of the proteinaceous fibres.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by extrusion or other shearing technologies for creating proteinaceous fibres.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; and cross-linking the protein in the aqueous composition to produce a proteinaceous gel.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof, said aqueous composition further comprising a gelling agent; and gelling the aqueous composition by cooling the aqueous composition or by adding a gelation inducing agent.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from whey protein, egg protein, soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein, pea protein, chickpea protein, lupin protein, potato protein and combinations thereof; and gelling the aqueous composition by heating the aqueous composition.

13. An uncooked meat analogue comprising, by weight of the meat analogue, the following separate components: at least 50 wt. % of proteinaceous fibres comprising, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 40-80 wt. % of water and 5-50 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; 0-40 wt. % of edible particulate ingredients; 2-20 wt. % of interstitial aqueous gelling composition; wherein the interstitial aqueous gelling composition comprises by weight of the gelling composition: i. 0.05-2 wt. % xanthan gum; ii. 0.05-2 wt. % galactomannan; iii. at least 80 wt. % water wherein the aqueous gelling composition is capable of forming a gel at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

14. The meat analogue according to claim 13, wherein the meat analogue is obtained by the method according to claim 1.

15. Use of an aqueous gelling composition for enhancing juiciness in meat analogues, wherein the aqueous gelling composition comprises by weight of the gelling composition: i. 0.05-2 wt. % xanthan gum; ii. 0.05-2 wt. % galactomannan; iii. at least 80 wt. % water wherein the aqueous gelling composition is capable of forming a gel at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of preparing a meat analogue, comprising the steps of: [0046] a. providing proteinaceous fibres comprising, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 40-80 wt. % of water and 5-50 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; [0047] b. providing an aqueous gelling composition, comprising by weight of the gelling composition: [0048] i. 0.01-2 wt. % xanthan gum; [0049] ii. 0.01-2 wt. % galactomannan; [0050] iii. at least 80 wt. % water; [0051] c. combining 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres with 2-50 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0052] The term meat analogue as used herein refers to hydrated proteinaceous food products that comprise non-meat protein as protein source, and are similar, at least in part, to real meat in appearance, colour, flavour and texture.

[0053] The term uncooked meat analogue as used herein refers to a meat analogue, which upon instruction to the consumer, may receive a heat treatment before consumption.

[0054] The term xanthan gum as used herein refers to a polysaccharide secreted by Xanthomonas sp. This polysaccharide is believed to have a main chain consisting of a linear backbone of 1,4-linked -D-glucose and side chains of two mannose and one glucuronic acid (Garcia-Ochoa et al., Xanthan gum: production, recovery, and properties, Biotechnology Advances, Vol. 18, p.549-579.).

[0055] The term galactomannan as used herein refers to a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide that is composed of galactose and mannose units combined through glycosidic linkages. Examples of galactomannans are fenugreek gum, guar gum, tara gum and locust bean gum.

[0056] The term locust bean gum as used herein refers to a gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. Locust bean gum consists mainly of high-molecular-weight galactomannan polysaccharide that is composed of galactose and mannose units combined through glycosidic linkages. Locust bean gum typically contains mannose and galactose in a ratio of approximately 4:1.

[0057] The term gelling composition as used herein refers to a composition that is capable of forming a gel at ambient temperature and ambient pressure.

[0058] The term gel as used herein refers to a solid or semi-solid aqueous composition that is largely composed of an aqueous liquid that is rendered non-liquid by the presence of a three-dimensional network structure within said liquid. A gel typically has a ratio of elastic modulus G to viscous modulus G of at least 1, preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 5.

[0059] G and G are measured under the following circumstances: the composition is kept for at least 12 hours at 20 C. G and G are measured at 20 C., using an oscillatory frequency of 1 rad/s and at a strain of 1% (tested to be within the linear viscoelastic regime). This set of parameters refers to a standard oscillatory test, also known as a dynamic mechanical analysis, conducted with a standard state of the art low deformation rheometer as commercially available from e.g. Bohlin, Anton Paar or TA Instruments. See also chapter 8.5 of The Rheology Handbook by T. G. Mezger (2006).

[0060] The term reversible gel as used herein refers to a gel that becomes liquid when heated to a temperature above its gel melting temperature and that becomes a gel again when cooled down to below its gelling temperature.

[0061] The term gel-melting temperature as used herein refers to the temperature at which a gel becomes a liquid. More specifically, the gel-melting temperature is defined as the temperature at which the value for the loss modulus (G) becomes bigger than the value for the storage modulus (G), while heating up the gel sample. This temperature can be measured according to the method described above, with the addition that the temperature of the sample is increased from 20 C. to 90 C., with a rate of 1 C./min, while oscillating with a frequency of 1 rad/s and at a strain of 1%.

[0062] The term gelling temperature as used herein refers to the temperature at which a liquid becomes a gel. More specifically, the gelling temperature is defined as the temperature at which the value for the storage modulus (G) becomes bigger than the value for the loss modulus (G), while cooling the sample down. This temperature can be measured according to the method described above, with the addition that the temperature of the sample is decreased from 90 C. to 20 C., with a rate of 1 C./min, while oscillating with a frequency of 1 rad/s and at a strain of 1%.

[0063] The term fat as used herein refers to glycerides selected from triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, phosphoglycerides and combinations thereof. The term fat encompasses fats that are liquid at ambient temperature as well as fats that are solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature.

[0064] The solid fat content at 20 C. (N.sub.20) can suitably be determined using ISO 8292-1 (2012).

Proteinaceous Fibres

[0065] The proteinaceous fibres preferably comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 7-30 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof. More preferably the proteinaceous fibres comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 10-26 wt. % of said protein and most preferably the proteinaceous fibres comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 12-22 wt. % of said protein.

[0066] Examples of dairy protein are casein, whey protein and combinations thereof.

[0067] Examples of egg protein are proteins that are present in a chicken egg, such as egg yolk protein of egg white protein. Preferably the egg protein is egg white protein.

[0068] Examples of plant proteins are soy protein, cereal protein, rapeseed protein, cottonseed protein, sunflower protein, sesame protein, legume protein, lupin protein, potato protein and algae protein. Preferred plant proteins are soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein, bran protein and combinations thereof. More preferred plant proteins are soy protein, wheat protein and combinations thereof.

[0069] Examples of fungal protein are mushroom proteins or the proteins obtained from the fungi Fusarium. Preferably, the fungal protein is obtained from the fungi Fusarium, more preferably the fungal protein is obtained from the fungal species Fusarium venenatum. These Fusarium venenatum proteins are typically applied in Quorn products.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the protein in the proteinaceous fibres is selected from dairy protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof. More preferably, the protein in the proteinaceous fibres is selected from plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the protein in the proteinaceous fibres is plant protein.

[0071] In another preferred embodiment, the protein in the proteinaceous fibrous is preferably a combination of egg protein and plant protein.

[0072] The proteinaceous fibres preferably comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 50-76 wt. % of water, more preferably comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 55-73 wt. % of water and most preferably comprise, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 60-70 wt. % of water.

[0073] The combination of protein and water preferably constitutes at least 80 wt. % of the proteinaceous fibres. More preferably, the combination of protein and water constitutes at least 85 wt. %, most preferably at least 90 wt. % of the proteinaceous fibres.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the proteinaceous fibres of the invention are prepared by extrusion or other shearing technologies for creating proteinaceous fibres. More preferably the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by extrusion, most preferably high moisture extrusion.

[0075] In another preferred embodiment, the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: [0076] providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; and [0077] cross-linking the protein in the aqueous composition to produce a proteinaceous gel.

[0078] In yet another preferred embodiment, the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: [0079] providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof, said aqueous composition further comprising a gelling agent; and [0080] gelling the aqueous composition by cooling the aqueous composition or by adding a gelation inducing agent.

[0081] In yet another preferred embodiment, the proteinaceous fibres are prepared by a process comprising the steps of: [0082] providing an aqueous composition comprising protein selected from whey protein, egg protein, soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein, pea protein, chickpea protein, lupin protein, potato protein and combinations thereof; and [0083] gelling the aqueous composition by heating the aqueous composition.

[0084] The protein in the aqueous composition in this embodiment is more preferably selected from whey protein, soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein, pea protein, chickpea protein, lupin protein, potato protein and combinations thereof. Most preferably the protein in the aqueous composition in this embodiment is selected from soy protein, wheat protein, oat protein, pea protein, chickpea protein and combinations thereof.

[0085] The proteinaceous fibres according to the invention preferably have a mean length to diameter ratio of at least 10:1. The length to diameter ratio is also known as the aspect ratio. The mean length to diameter ratio is more preferably at least 25:1 and most preferably in the range of 50:1 to 200:1.

[0086] In a preferred embodiment, 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres are mixed before or during step c) of the method according to the invention, with 1-80 parts by weight of edible particulate ingredients. More preferably, 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres are mixed before or during step c), with 5-70 parts by weight, most preferably 10-60 parts by weight, of edible particulate ingredients.

[0087] The edible particulate ingredients are preferably selected from herbs, spices, vegetables, fruit, nuts, pulses and combinations thereof.

[0088] Preferably, starch components, selected from starch, flour, maltodextrin and combinations thereof, are combined in an amount of less than 10 parts by weight, with 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres. More preferably, said starch components are combined in an amount of less than 5 parts by weight with 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres.

Aqueous Gelling Composition

[0089] The combination of xanthan gum and galactomannan in the aqueous gelling composition preferably constitutes 0.1-1 wt. %, more preferably 0.15-0.8 wt. %, most preferably 0.2-0.6 wt. %, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0090] The weight ratio of xanthan gum to galactomannan is preferably between 5:95 and 95:5. More preferably, the weight ratio of xanthan gum to galactomannan is between 10:90 and 90:10, even more preferably between 20:80 and 80:20 and most preferably between 30:70 and 70:30.

[0091] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 0.05-1 wt. %, more preferably 0.1-0.5 wt. %, most preferably 0.15-0.3 wt. %, of xanthan gum, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0092] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 0.05-1 wt. %, more preferably 0.1-0.5 wt. %, most preferably 0.15-0.3 wt. % of galactomannan, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0093] The galactomannan is preferably selected from guar gum, locust bean gum and combinations thereof. More preferably, the galactomannan is locust bean gum.

[0094] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 82-98 wt. %, more preferably 85-96 wt. %, most preferably 88-94 wt. % of water, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0095] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 0.4-10 wt. % of inorganic salt, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition. More preferably, the aqueous gelling composition comprises 0.5-5 wt. %, most preferably 0.75-2.5 wt. % of inorganic salt, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0096] The inorganic salt is preferably selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride and combinations thereof. More preferably the inorganic salt is sodium chloride.

[0097] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 0.2-5 wt. % of flavouring ingredients selected from glutamic acid, food-grade acidulant, combinations and salts thereof, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition. More preferably, the aqueous gelling composition comprises 0.4-3.5 wt. %, most preferably 0.6-2.5 wt. % of said flavouring ingredients, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0098] Suitable sources of glutamic acid and salts thereof are yeast extracts, hydrolysed vegetable proteins and natural sources of glutamic acid, such as tomatoes.

[0099] Examples of food-grade acidulants are citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and hydrochloric acid. Preferred food-grade acidulants are citric acid, lactic acid and combinations thereof.

[0100] The aqueous gelling composition preferably comprises 0.2-5 wt. % of fat, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition. More preferably, the aqueous gelling composition comprises 0.35-3.5 wt. %, most preferably 0.5-2.5 wt. % of fat, by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0101] The gel-melting temperature of the aqueous gelling composition preferably lies within the range of 30-97 C. More preferably, the gel-melting temperature of the aqueous gelling composition lies within the range of 35-90 C., most preferably in the range of 40-80 C.

Step C

[0102] Preferably, 100 parts by weight of the proteinaceous fibres are combined with 4-25 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition, more preferably are combined with 5-20 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition and most preferably are combined with 7-15 parts by weight of the aqueous gelling composition.

[0103] Preferably, the combining of the proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition in step c) is performed by: [0104] injecting the aqueous gelling composition into a mass of proteinaceous fibres; [0105] infusing a mass of proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition; [0106] blending the proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition; and [0107] combinations thereof.

[0108] In one preferred embodiment, the combining of the proteinaceous fibres and the aqueous gelling composition in step c) is performed by injecting the aqueous gelling composition into a mass of proteinaceous fibres.

[0109] Preferably, the injecting is performed by injecting the aqueous gelling composition in discrete volumes in the range of 50-500 l into the mass of proteinaceous fibres. More preferably in discrete volumes in the range of 100-400 l and most preferably in discrete volumes in the range of 200-300 l.

[0110] Preferably, the aqueous gelling composition is in liquid form to facilitate injection thereof. The liquid form of the aqueous gelling composition is either obtained by injecting the aqueous gelling composition before it solidifies or by heating the aqueous gelling composition to a temperature of at least 60 C. before it is injected.

[0111] In another preferred embodiment, the combining of the proteinaceous fibres and the aqueous gelling composition in step c) is performed by infusing a mass of proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition.

[0112] In accordance with this embodiment, the aqueous gelling composition is in liquid form to enable the composition to penetrate the mass of proteinaceous fibres. The liquid form of the aqueous gelling composition is either obtained by infusing the aqueous gelling composition before it solidifies or by heating the aqueous gelling composition to a temperature of at least 60 C. before or during the infusion.

[0113] In yet another preferred embodiment, the combining of the proteinaceous fibres and the aqueous gelling composition in step c) is performed by blending the proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition.

[0114] Preferably, the temperature of the aqueous gelling composition is below the gel-melting temperature during the blending of the proteinaceous fibres with the aqueous gelling composition. The temperature of the aqueous gelling composition during the blending lies preferably between 30 C. and 30 C. More preferably, the temperature of the aqueous gelling composition during the blending lies between 25 C. and 25 C., most preferably between 20 C. and 20 C.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment the proteinaceous fibres are blended with the aqueous gelling composition in the form of discrete shapes. The volume of these discrete shapes of aqueous gelling composition during the blending preferably lies in the range of 50-5000 l, more preferably in the range of 100-3000 l and most preferably in the range of 200-1000 l.

Meat Analogue Prepared With the Method According to the Invention

[0116] The meat analogue according to the invention preferably comprises 5-50 wt. % of protein by weight of the meat analogue. More preferably the meat analogue comprises 10-40 wt. %, most preferably 12-30 wt. % of protein by weight of the meat analogue.

[0117] The meat analogue preferably comprises 20-70 wt. % of water by weight of the meat analogue. More preferably the meat analogue comprises 30-65 wt. %, most preferably 35-60 wt. % of water by weight of the meat analogue.

[0118] The meat analogue preferably contains water and protein in a weight ratio of at least 1.5:1. More preferably the weight ratio of the water and protein in the meat analogue is in the range of 1.75:1 and 7:1, most preferably in the range of 2:1 and 5:1.

[0119] The meat analogue preferably comprises 1-20 wt. % of fat, by weight of the meat analogue. More preferably the meat analogue comprises 2-15 wt. %, most preferably 5-12 wt. % of fat, by weight of the meat analogue.

[0120] The meat analogue preferably comprises less than 10 wt. % of meat protein, by weight of the meat analogue. More preferably the meat analogue comprises less than 5 wt. % of meat protein, by weight of the meat analogue. Most preferably the meat analogue does not comprise meat protein.

[0121] The meat analogue preferably comprises less than 10 wt. % of animal protein, by weight of the meat analogue. More preferably the meat analogue comprises less than 5 wt. % of animal protein, by weight of the meat analogue. Most preferably the meat analogue does not comprise animal protein.

[0122] A second aspect of the invention relates to an uncooked meat analogue comprising, by weight of the meat analogue, the following separate components: [0123] at least 50 wt. % of proteinaceous fibres comprising, by weight of the proteinaceous fibres, 40-80 wt. % of water and 5-50 wt. % protein selected from dairy protein, egg protein, plant protein, fungal protein and combinations thereof; [0124] 0-40 wt. % of edible particulate ingredients; [0125] 2-20 wt. % of interstitial aqueous gelling composition;

[0126] wherein the interstitial aqueous gelling composition comprises by weight of the gelling composition: [0127] i. 0.01-2 wt. % xanthan gum; [0128] ii. 0.01-2 wt. % galactomannan; [0129] iii. at least 80 wt. % water.

[0130] The embodiments described herein before in the context of the method of preparing a meat analogue, correspondingly apply to the meat analogue of the invention.

[0131] The meat analogue preferably comprises, by weight of the meat analogue, 55-95 wt. % of proteinaceous fibres, more preferably 60-80 wt. % of proteinaceous fibres.

[0132] The meat analogue preferably comprises, by weight of the meat analogue, 2-35 wt. % of edible particulate ingredients, more preferably 5-25 wt. % of edible particulate ingredients.

[0133] The meat analogue preferably comprises, by weight of the meat analogue, 3-15 wt. % of interstitial aqueous gelling composition, more preferably 5-10 wt. % of interstitial aqueous gelling composition.

[0134] The meat analogue preferably comprises, by weight of the meat analogue, at most 10 wt. % of starch components selected from starch, flour, maltodextrin and combinations thereof. More preferably, the meat analogue comprises, by weight of the meat analogue, at most 5 wt. % of starch components selected from starch, flour, maltodextrin and combinations thereof.

[0135] The meat analogue according to the invention is preferably obtained by the method as described herein before.

[0136] A third aspect of the invention relates to the use of an aqueous gelling composition for enhancing juiciness in meat analogues, wherein the aqueous gelling composition comprises by weight of the gelling composition: [0137] i. 0.01-2 wt. % xanthan gum; [0138] ii. 0.01-2 wt. % galactomannan; [0139] iii. at least 80 wt. % water.

[0140] The embodiments described herein before in the context of the method of preparing a meat analogue, which relate to the aqueous gelling composition, correspondingly apply to the aqueous gelling composition that is used for enhancing juiciness in meat analogues.

[0141] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0142] Three Gehacktbal (De Vegetarische Slager, the Netherlands) samples were sourced from a local supermarket. These samples comprised about 70 wt. % of proteinaceous fibres comprising water, soy protein and wheat protein.

[0143] Sample 1 received the following pre-treatment, the sample was immersed in a warm aqueous solution of 0.5 wt. % xanthan gum and 0.5 wt. % locust bean gum for 10 minutes (temperature of solution was 982 C.). The second sample (Sample A) was immersed in tap water of similar temperature for 10 minutes. The third sample did not receive a pre-treatment (Sample B). The fourth sample (Sample C) received the following pre-treatment, the sample was immersed in warm aqueous solution of 0.5 wt. % kappa-carrageenan and 0.5 wt. % of konjac glucomannan (Konjac Propol RS, Shimizu Chemical Group) for 10 minutes (temperature of solution was 982 C.).

[0144] After the pre-treatment, the samples were removed from the aqueous liquid using a skimmer and held above a pan for 20 seconds to let the excess liquid run off. Next the pre-treated samples were put on a blue kitchen paper to assess the loss of juice during cooling down to room temperature. The loss of juice was visually assessed.

[0145] After cooling down to room temperature, all samples were placed on a sheet of blue kitchen paper on a plate. Next, the samples were reheated in a microwave oven, one-by-one, for 1 minute at 600 Watt. Immediately after microwave cooking the loss of juice was determined visually by assessing the amount of water that was absorbed by the blue kitchen paper.

[0146] After the microwave heating, the samples were cut into two halves and the appearance of the cut surface was assessed. Finally, the texture of the three samples was evaluated by a panel.

[0147] The results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 1 A B C Loss of juice Low High n.a. Low after soaking Loss of juice High High Medium High during cooking Outside Glossy and Dull and Dull and gel layer/skin appearance natural Dry Dry formation after cooking Appearance of Juicy Dry Dry Partially juicy the inner surface of the sample directly after cutting Textural Juicy & Dry Dry Medium dry, characteristics smooth unpleasant in mouth texture

Example 2

[0148] Three vegetarian burgers (Vivera, the Netherlands) were sourced from the local supermarket. The vegetarian burger comprised about 72 wt. % proteinaceous fibres comprising water, soy protein and wheat protein. Each sample had a weight of 100 grams.

[0149] The first burger (Burger 2) received the following pre-treatment, the sample was injected with a warm aqueous solution comprising 0.25 wt. % xanthan gum and 0.25 wt. % locust bean gum (temperature of solution was 472 C.). In total 10 ml of aqueous solution was injected into Burger 2, by injecting multiple discrete volumes of about 250 l. The second burger (Burger D), received a similar treatment as Burger 2, except that only warm water was injected into the burger. The third burger did not receive a pre-treatment (Burger E).

[0150] After the pre-treatment of the Burgers 2 and C, these burgers were allowed to cool to room temperature. During and after the pre-treatment of Burger D it was observed that only a small portion of the injected water remained in the pre-treated Burger D.

[0151] The three burgers were prepared by shallow frying and the appearance of the burgers during heating was assessed. After frying the burgers were cut in half, and the cut surface of each burger was assessed. In addition, the texture of each burger was assessed by a panel.

[0152] The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 2 D E Appearance during shallow frying Sizzling sound Yes No No Glossy appearance Yes No No Juicy appearance Yes No No Appearance of the inner surface of Juicy Dry Dry the burger directly after cutting Juice flows from burger after cutting Yes No No Textural characteristics in mouth Juicy & Dry Dry smooth