More and more people are deciding to make a change in their diet and lifestyle, towards a more animal-friendly model. Nowadays, there are many foods that are meat substitutes that vegans, vegetarians, or simply people who follow a flexitarian model, can follow. enjoying gastronomy. Currently, we can even find plant-based alternatives that resemble meat. Sausages, nuggets or burgers that are made with wheat gluten or textured vegetable protein. However, develop these types of products that resemble cuts of meat, represents a challenge that requires customized equipment and extensive processing requirements, hence the talk of ultra-processed products.
Corn zein as a meat substitute
Research carried out by experts from the University of Guelph (Canada) demonstrates how corn zein It can be used to recreate fibrous structures very similar to those of meat. Zein is a corn protein that was already used in 2016 as sustainable alternative to plastic materials in biosensors. Now, this protein is back to revolutionize the food industry.
Currently, there are two methods to obtain fibrous structures: la extrusion and shear cell processing. The reality is that these two techniques are effective but require many processing requirements. Experts comment that another method can be used to form fibers from zein, this is based on the use of the physical and molecular properties present in plant proteins specificities and their interactions, so there is no need to rely on current intensive processing techniques.
In this innovative method, the key ingredient is zein, with viscoelastic and elastic properties that facilitate the creation of a fibrous system. Zein is capable of creating fibrous structures very similar to those of meat, but without the need to subject the product to complex processing. And you? Do you think you will notice the difference between an animal burger and one based on zein?
