Importance

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Abstract

The invention relates to a process and a system for producing a textured edible protein product derived from insect larvae or worms. The process comprises a) reducing the insect larvae or worms in size to obtain a pulp, b) mixing the pulp with a hydrocolloid that gelates with metal cations in aqueous solution to form a protein-hydrocolloid slurry, and c) injecting the protein-hydrocolloid slurry into an aqueous solution of a metal cation with a valency of at least 2 to form the textured edible protein product. In step c) the protein-hydrocolloid slurry is jetted under pressure from outside of the aqueous solution of a metal cation with a valency of at least 2 into the aqueous solution at an oblique angle with respect to a liquid surface of the aqueous solution, thereby producing flakes of the textured edible protein product in the aqueous solution, in which flakes substantially all hydrocolloid has been gelated with the metal cations.

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First Claim