Flavor encapsulation using electrostatic atomization

US11845052B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FONA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC · US

Inventors

• Robert M. Sobel · Santa Fe, US
• Benjamin Bunchean · Streamwood, US
• Chin-Ping Su · Naperville, US
• Michael Gundlach · Hersbruck, DE
• Thomas E. Ackerman · Manchester, US
• Glenn R. St. Peter · Atkinson, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 15, 2021
• Grant date: Dec 19, 2023
• Expiry date: Jun 15, 2042

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A23V2002/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Disclosed is an electrostatic spray drying process for encapsulating a core material, such as a volatile flavor oil, within a carrier or wall material. The process is achieved by atomizing a liquid emulsion comprising the core material and the wall material, applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization, and drying the atomized emulsion into an encapsulated, free-flowing powder. Applying an electrostatic charge at the site of atomization allows the spray drying to be accomplished at significantly reduced temperatures, in particular, inlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 110° C., and outlet temperatures in the range of 25° C. to 80° C. The low drying temperatures impart improvements in the resulting encapsulated powdered product, including better retention of volatile flavor components, a flavor profile comparable to that of the starting liquid formulation, and better hydration and dissolution in water-based applications.