Plant-based meat, manufactured from botanical raw materials and designed to mimic the fibrous texture, muscular mouthfeel, appearance and nutritional value of animal meat, represents an eco-friendly alternative food. Twin-screw extrusion processing serves as a core technology for the continuous production of high-moisture meat analogues (HMMA) and textured vegetable protein (TVP) products, as well as for optimizing their functional properties.
Twin sccrew extruder for processing for Food Plant-based Meat
Food formulations can be cooked in the process by utilizing the precise temperature control and shearing capacity of twin-screw extruders. Extrusion cooking and customized processing parameters enable accurately timed and controlled conditions for protein denaturation, starch gelatinization, flavor encapsulation and more, all achievable with a single technology. Modern extruders make meat alternatives commercially viable, as formulation components including plant proteins, water, flavorings, fats and micronutrients can be fed through multiple ingredient feeding ports, with precise heating or cooling provided via temperature-controlled zones.
One Technology, Two Processes
Twin-screw extrusion processing is a pivotal technology for the continuous manufacturing of plant-based meat products that mimic animal meat. With the same twin-screw extrusion technology and minor process adjustments, two distinct categories of products can be produced:
High-Moisture Meat Analog (HMMA)
Product Features:
Soft and moist, with visibly fibrous, muscle-like meat texture.
Process:
Texture Formula:
It is determined by the shear-induced structure of plant protein formulations within the cooled slit die and the flow characteristics inside the die.
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
Product Feature:
Dry and brittle, featuring a porous structure that can be rehydrated to form fibrous, meat-like texture.
Process:
Texture Formula:
It depends on the pressure drop at the die exit, which can cause water evaporation and product expansion.
Lemix tech has 11mm / 16mm twin screw extruder for testing& R&D
Lemix tech ‘s twin screw extruders offer a modular solution for application testing and process development from laboratory to pilot - scale.
All extruder sizes can be equipped with a modular cooling slot die for high - moisture artificial meat and a spinneret nozzle for textured protein production.
These set -ups help create a variety of meat - like textures based on the combination of formulation, process conditions, and die geometry.
Clamshell barrel design helps makes process switching more flexible.
