Production of structured soy-based meat analogues using simple shear and heat in a Couette Cell

• Plant protein-based meat analogues are produced in a Couette Cell.
• Application of simple shear flow and heat create anisotropic structures.
• The Couette Cell is a scalable equipment concept.

A Couette Cell device was employed to provide proof of concept for the production of structured meat analogues by application of simple shear flow and heat to a 31 wt% Soy Protein Isolate (SPI)–Wheat Gluten (WG) dispersion. Three relevant process parameters (temperature, time and rotation rate) were varied over a range of realistic values (90–110 °C, 5–25 min and 5–50 RPM, respectively). Layer- or fibre-structured products with high stress and strain anisotropy indices have been demonstrated. Fibrousness is favoured at temperatures over 90 °C and under 100 °C, whereas the role of process time and rotation rate is not critical. Simultaneous application of simple shear and heat is the key to obtaining structured plant protein-based products. The Couette Cell concept is scalable and can enable continuous operation. On this ground, it appears as a realistic option for production of meat analogues at commercial scale.