WO2020095119A1

WO2020095119A1 - Method and system for preparing spray dried chicory powders

Info

Publication number: WO2020095119A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/052484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tapas Chatterjee
Original assignee: Tapas Chatterjee
Priority date: 2018-11-05
Filing date: 2019-03-27
Publication date: 2020-05-14

Abstract

The present invention relates to preparation of chicory powders by preparing a decoction from roasted chicory roots and water and spray drying the decoction to obtain spray dried chicory powders wherein a temperature of water or a temperature of a reaction mass comprising water and roasted chicory roots or a temperature of an intermediate product obtained during preparing the decoction or a temperature of the decoction is maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90o C.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREPARING SPRAY DRIED CHICORY POWDERS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to preparation of chicory powders. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, a system and an apparatus and for obtaining chicory powders having high quantity of inulin. In particular, the present invention relates to a method, a system and an apparatus and for obtaining chicory powders having inulin content in excess of 45%.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Roasted and ground chicory root has been used as additive in roasted and ground coffee bean since a long time now for imparting / enhancing color, aroma and taste. Likewise, it is a common practice to add to instant coffee powders (also called as soluble coffee) chicory powders.

Chicory powders are known to be prepared by spray drying a decoction (a concentrated extract obtained from chicory roots). While fresh chicory root typically contains around 65% of inulin, chicory powders obtained using spray drying methods contains about 30% of insulin. Thus, the amount of inulin is drastically reduced while following spray drying method.

Also, the chicory powders thus produced inside the spray dryer have a tendency of sticking to the walls of the spray dryer and therefore, there is a loss in the amount of chicory powders thus produced. To reduce the tendency of the chicory powders to stick to the walls of the spray dryer, additional agents (such as dextrin or dextrin derivative such as maltodextrin) are added to the decoction. While addition of additional agents to the decoction reduces the chances of chicory powders sticking to the walls, the purity of the chicory powders thus obtained gets reduced. Furthermore, there is an increase in cost of producing the chicory powders, when such additional agents are added.

By way of example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. KR 20000013128 discloses a process of preparing chicory powders comprising a step for cutting the root of a chicory for steam aging in a temperature of l00-l50°C for 10-15 minutes; a step for drying the steam aged chicory root in a temperature of 70-80°C for 10-12 hours by using a heat air drier for the chicory to contain a moisture containing amount less than 3%; a step for parching the dried chicory until a pressure reaching 18-20 kilograms per square centimeter by using a parcher; a step for concentrating by heat extracting in a temperature of 95-l00°C for 4-6 hours for the chicory to be 25-30 Brix; and a step for adding a dextrin for three times of the amount of the solid powder to the chicory concentrating extract, mixing the chicory extract and an Arabian gum in the ratio of 1:1.5-2, and emulsifying in a high speed of 10000 rpm for 30 minutes for micro-encapsulating the coffee flavor.

Thus, there exists a need to provide an improved method for producing chicory powders that addresses at least one of the aforesaid disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that is further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing chicory powders, the method comprising: preparing a decoction from roasted chicory roots and water; and spray drying the decoction to obtain spray dried chicory powders; wherein a temperature of water or a temperature of a reaction mass comprising water and roasted chicory roots or a temperature of an intermediate product obtained during preparing the decoction or a temperature of the decoction is maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90° C.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a spray drying apparatus for producing chicory powders, the spray drying apparatus comprising: a drying chamber defining a top end and an opposing bottom end; a spray nozzle located at about the top end of the drying chamber; and an outlet located at about the bottom end of the drying chamber for withdrawing spray dried powders thus formed in the drying chamber. The drying chamber is made of a double walled structure having an inner wall and an outer wall enveloping a hollow space between the inner and the outer wall. The spray drying apparatus is further provided with a mechanism for introducing a coolant in the hollow space between the inner and the outer wall. To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a flowchart showing a method for preparing chicory powder, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a system for preparing chicory powder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of a counter current screw extraction unit that can be used in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 illustrates a spray drying apparatus that can be used in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to“an aspect”,“another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

This specification describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many different forms. Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

The Inventor has found that decoction is conventionally obtained by processes that involve raising the temperature of the starting material (i.e. roasted chicory roots and water) or a reaction mass (i.e. a mixture of roasted chicory roots and water) or an intermediate product obtained during preparing the decoction to a value greater than 95° C. In one commonly adopted technique, hot water having temperature in excess of 95° C is brought in contact with the roasted chicory roots. In another commonly adopted technique, a mixture of roasted chicory roots and water and heated to temperatures in excess of 95° C. Maintaining such high temperatures was also generally recommended in order to increase an amount of active ingredients in the decoction.

Inventor found that when such high temperatures are adopted for preparing the decoction or when the decoction is subjected to such high temperatures, inulin as present in the decoction undergoes hydrolysis and thus, there is a substantial reduction in the amount of inulin. The Inventor has also found that hydrolysis of inulin produces fructose and that increase in the amount of fructose content in the decoction, increases the tendency of the chicory powders thus produced inside the spray dryer to stick to the walls of the spray dryer.

Now referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a flow chart of the process (100) of preparing chicory powders in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The process (100) of preparing the chicory powders comprises preparing decoction using water and roasted chicory roots (102). The decoction thus obtained is then subjected to spray drying (104) to obtain the chicory powders. To address the disadvantages faced in the prior art, according the present invention, the decoction is produced at a temperature equal to or less than about 90° C. For example, when the decoction is prepared from roasted chicory roots and water, the temperature of the starting material (i.e. roasted chicory roots and water) is maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90° C. Also, the temperature of the reaction mass (i.e. a mixture of roasted chicory roots and water) is maintained at a value equal to or less than 90° C. Also, the temperature of intermediate product obtained during preparing the decoction is maintained at a value equal to or less than 90° C. Also, the temperature of the decoction thus obtained is maintained at a value equal to or less than 90° C. In an embodiment of the invention, the chicory powders thus produced contain inulin content in excess of 45%.

In an embodiment of the invention, the process of preparing the decoction (102) may comprise of two or more steps. For example, the process of preparing the decoction (102) may comprise a step of subjecting the roasted chicory roots to an extraction process (106) to obtain mother liquor (which may be treated as an intermediate product).

The mother liquor may be taken and subjected to a concentration step (108) so as to reduce the volume of the mother liquor and thereby obtain the decoction. In an embodiment of the invention, the concentration step (108) may involve an evaporation step. In an embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the water is maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90° C. Also, the temperature of the reaction mass (i.e. a mixture of roasted chicory roots and water) is maintained at a value equal to or less than 90° C. In an embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the mother liquor is maintained at a value equal to or less than 90° C. In an embodiment of the invention, the concentration by evaporation of the mother liquor is performed at a temperature equal to or less than about 90° C. In an embodiment of the invention, the evaporation step may be performed preferably under a vacuum.

In an embodiment of the invention, the extraction process (106) may also produce a spent material. The spent material may contain some amount of lean extract. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the lean extract may be recovered from the spent material (110). For example, the spent material with lean extract may be subjected to processing in an extruder and the lean extract may be recovered. As shown in Figure 1, the lean extract thus recovered may be re-circulated to the extraction process (106). In an alternative embodiment (which is not shown), the lean extract thus recovered may be mixed with the mother liquor.

The spent material left after recovery of the lean extract may be dried (112) to obtain chicory dry spent. The chicory dry spent may be mixed with cattle feed or may be utilized in any of the conventionally known methods. In some cases, the mother liquor obtained from the extraction process (106) may be subjected to a clarification step (114) prior to performing the concentration step (108). The clarification step (110) tends to remove any spent material as may be present in the mother liquor. Depending upon the amount of liquid present in the spent material thus removed from the mother liquor, the spent material may be either subjected to lean extract recovery process (110) or drying process (112).

In an embodiment of the invention, the extraction process (106) may be any of the traditional extraction process including but not limited to co-current extraction process, and counter current extraction process.

In an embodiment of the invention, the extraction process (106) may preferably be a continuous counter current extraction process, wherein hot de-mineralized water may be used. In an embodiment of the invention, the temperature of the hot de-mineralized water thus used in the continuous counter current extraction process can be maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90° C.

Now referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a block diagram of a system (200) in which the process of the invention can be beneficially performed to obtain chicory powders. The system (200) comprises an extraction unit (202) in which the roasted chicory roots are contacted with hot water having temperature equal to or less than about 90° C. The extraction unit (202) produces mother liquor and a spent material having lean extract.

The mother liquor is fed to a clarification unit (208) to remove there from a spent material. The clarification unit (208) produces clear mother liquor. The clear mother liquor is fed to an evaporator unit (206). The evaporator unit (206) heats the clear mother liquor at a temperature equal to or less than 90° C to produce decoction. Generally, a volume of the clear mother liquor is reduced by close to 40 to 50% to obtain the decoction. The decoction thus obtained is fed to the spray dryer (204) to produce chicory powders. In an embodiment of the invention, the evaporation unit (206) is a vacuum evaporator.

The spent material having lean extract as produced by the extraction unit is fed to an extruder (210) to recover there from lean extract. The lean extract may be recirculated to the extraction unit (202). The spent material as obtained from the extruder (210) is fed to a dryer (212) that produces chicory dry spent. The spent material as obtained from the clarification unit (208) may be either sent to the extruder (210) or the dryer (212), depending upon the amount of liquid contained therein.

The Inventor has found that if the extraction and the concentrating are performed at a temperature equal to or less than about 90° C, an amount of inulin undergoing hydrolysis is substantially reduced and this contributes to an increase in amount of inulin in the decoction as well as the spray dried powders.

By reducing the amount of inulin undergoing hydrolysis, the amount of fructose as contained in the decoction is controlled. As the tendency of the chicory powders to stick to the walls of the spray dryer increases with an increase in the amount of fructose contained in the decoction, by reducing the amount of fructose present in the decoction, the present invention is able to reduce the tendency of the chicory powders to stick to the walls of the spray dryer.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the extraction unit (202) is a counter current extraction unit. While different types of extraction units are available, a counter current screw extraction unit provides ease of operation and also it is easier to maintain the temperatures within a counter current screw extraction unit. Thus, in a preferred aspect of the invention, the extraction unit is a counter current screw extraction unit.

Referring to Figure 3, a sample construction of a counter current screw extraction unit (300) is shown. The counter current screw extraction unit (300) comprises a cylindrical member (302) defining a first end (304) and a second end (306). A mixing screw (308) is located within the cylindrical member (302). The counter current screw extraction unit (300) is configured to accept solids (roasted chicory roots) at the first end (304) and the hot water at the second end (306). The mixing screw (308) is configured to transport the solids z(roasted chicory roots) in a direction countercurrent to the water. The cylindrical member (302) further defines a first outlet (310) at about the second end (306) for extracting the spent material and a second outlet (312) at about the first end (304) for extracting the mother liquor. In addition to the above, Inventor has observed that by providing a specifically constructed spray dryer, it is possible to further reduce the tendency of the chicory powders to stick to the inner walls of the spray dryer.

Thus, the present invention furthermore provides a spray drying apparatus (400) as shown in Figure 4 that can be preferably used for producing chicory powders. The spray drying apparatus (400) comprises a drying chamber (402) defining a top end (404) and an opposing bottom end (406); a spray nozzle (408) located at about the top end (404) of the drying chamber (402); and an outlet (410) located at about the bottom end (406) of the drying chamber (402) for withdrawing spray dried powders thus formed in the drying chamber (402). The drying chamber (402) is made of a double walled structure having an inner wall (412) and an outer wall (414) enveloping a hollow space (416) between the inner and the outer walls. The spray drying apparatus (400) is further provided with a mechanism (418) for introducing a coolant in the hollow space (416) between the inner wall (412) and the outer wall (414).

The Inventor has observed that by providing the drying chamber made of a double walled structure having an inner wall and an outer wall enveloping a hollow space between the inner and the outer wall and by introducing a coolant in the hollow space between the inner and the outer wall, the tendency of the chicory powders to stick to the walls of the spray dryer can be furthermore reduced. Thus, the need to add to the decoction additional agents (such as dextrin or dextrin derivative such as maltodextrin) can be totally avoided.

In an embodiment, the coolant which is introduced in the hollow space between the inner and the outer wall is air. Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, the mechanism for introducing the coolant can be a first pump. The air which is introduced in the hollow space between the inner and the outer wall extracts heat from the inner wall and gets converted into preheated air. In an embodiment, the outer wall is provided with an exit port (420) for withdrawing the preheated air. The preheated air thus withdrawn, may be further heated (for example, in a heater (422)) and introduced in the drying chamber (402) in the form of drying air. As no energy is spent on preheating of the air, the energy required in the heater (422) to produce the drying air is reduced. Thus, in addition to providing the advantage in terms of non-sticking of the chicory powders to the walls of the drying chamber, there is a secondary advantage in terms of saving of energy required for operation. In an embodiment of the invention, the drying chamber is provided with at least one gas withdrawing means (424) for withdrawing exhaust gas there-from. In an embodiment of the invention, the gas withdrawal means (424) is operably coupled to a solid-gas separator (426) for separating solids present in the exhaust gas. In an embodiment of the invention, the solids thus separated may be transported via a transport system (428) for re-introduction into the drying chamber (402).

In an embodiment of the invention, the spray nozzle (408) is operably coupled to a second pump (430) supplying the decoction. In an embodiment of the invention, the drying gas may be introduced into the drying chamber using a third pump (432). By way of a non-limiting example, the third pump (432) may be interconnected to the heater (422).

In an embodiment of the invention, the outlet (410) may be coupled to a secondary drying apparatus (434) which may receive hot air via an air pump (436) and a heater (438). Alternatively, some part of the preheated air as withdrawn from the exit port (420) may be used for operating the secondary drying apparatus (434).

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods, devices, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the methods, devices, and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for chicory powders, the method comprising:

preparing a decoction from roasted chicory roots and water; and spray drying the decoction to obtain spray dried chicory powders; wherein a temperature of water or a temperature of a reaction mass comprising water and roasted chicory roots or a temperature of an intermediate product obtained during preparing the decoction or a temperature of the decoction is maintained at a value equal to or less than about 90° C.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein preparing the decoction comprises:

subjecting the roasted chicory roots to water-based extraction process at a temperature equal to or less than 90° C to obtain mother liquor and spent material lean extract; concentrating the mother liquor at a temperature equal to or less than 90° C to obtain the decoction.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein subjecting the roasted chicory roots to water-based extraction process comprises subjecting the roasted chicory roots to a water-based counter current extraction process.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spent material having lean extract is processed to recover lean extract therefrom.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lean extract thus obtained is re-used in the water-based extraction process or is mixed with the mother liquor.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mother liquor obtained from the counter current extraction process is subjected to a clarification to remove insoluble there from.

7. A system for preparing chicory powders, said system comprising:

an extraction unit adapted to contact roasted chicory roots with hot water having a temperature equal to or less than about 90° C to obtain mother liquor and spent material having lean extract; a clarification unit adapted to receive the mother liquor and remove there from insoluble therefrom thereby to produce clear mother liquor;

an evaporator unit adapted to heat the clear mother liquor at a temperature equal to or less than 90° C to produce decoction; and

a spray dryer adapted to produce spray dried chicory powders from the decoction.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an extruder unit adapted to receive spent material having lean extract and recover therefrom the lean extract.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the extraction unit is a counter current extraction unit and preferably a counter current screw extraction unit.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the counter current screw extraction unit comprises:

a cylindrical member defining a first end configured accept roasted chicory roots and a second end configured to accept hot water;

a mixing screw located within the cylindrical member; the mixing screw being configured to transport the roasted chicory roots in a direction countercurrent to the water;

the cylindrical member further defining a first outlet at about the second end for extracting the spent material and a second outlet at about the first end for extracting the mother liquor.

11. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the evaporation unit is a vacuum evaporator.

12. A spray dryer for use in producing chicory powders, said spray dryer comprising: a drying chamber defining a top end and an opposing bottom end;

a spray nozzle located at about the top end of the drying chamber;

an outlet located at about the bottom end of the drying chamber for withdrawing spray dried powders thus formed in the drying chamber;

the drying chamber being made of a double walled structure having an inner wall and an outer wall enveloping a hollow space between the inner and the outer walls; and a mechanism for introducing a coolant in the hollow space between the inner wall and the outer wall.

13. The spray dryer as claimed in claim 12, wherein the coolant is air and the mechanism for introducing the coolant includes a first pump, wherein the air thus introduced in the hollow space extracts heat from the inner wall and gets converted into preheated air.

14. The spray dryer as claimed in claim 13, the outer wall is provided with an exit port for withdrawing the preheated air.

15. The spray dryer as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a heater adapted to receive the preheated air and heat the same to produce drying gas for introduction into the drying chamber via a third pump.

16. The spray dryer as claimed in claim 12, wherein the drying chamber is provided with at least one gas withdrawing means adapted to withdraw exhaust gas therefrom, a solid-gas separator for separating the solid from the exhaust gas and a transporting unit configured to re-introduce the solid thus separated into the drying chamber.

17. The spray dryer as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a second pump adapted to receive decoction and supply the same to the spray nozzle.