US Patent:
20050208180, Sep 22, 2005
Inventors:
Jodi Engleson - Minnetonka MN, US
Michael Porter - Maple Grove MN, US
William Atwell - Champlin MN, US
Stefan Baier - Plymouth MN, US
Douglas Elmore - Bartlett TN, US
Dennis Gilbertson - Minnetonka MN, US
William Aimutis - Blaine MN, US
Norris Sun - Plymouth MN, US
Allen Muroski - Bartlett TN, US
Sean Smith - Memphis TN, US
Carrie Lendon - Bartlett TN, US
Tamara May - Robbinsdale MN, US
International Classification:
A23L001/30
Abstract:
The present invention is a nutrient delivery system including a protein source and, optionally, a fiber source. Extruding proteins disrupts the protein structure at the secondary level, rendering the protein relatively inert as compared to an unextruded protein. Because the extruded protein is relatively inert, it can be incorporated in relatively large amounts in food products without substantially adversely affecting the food product. In addition, the protein source can be coextruded with a fiber source to provide an extruded protein-fiber blend. The extruded protein-fiber blend of the present invention permits the inclusion of high levels of protein and fiber into a food product substantially without adversely affecting the food product. The nutrient delivery system of the present invention can be used to prepare food products that meet US FDA and other regulatory guidelines for food nutrition labeling.