Integration of Nonlinear Rheology and CFD Simulation to Elucidate the Influence of Saturated Oil on Soy Protein Concentrate Behavior During High-Moisture Extrusion
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of coconut oil concentration (0–2%) on the nonlinear rheological and thermal behavior of soy protein concentrate (SPC) mixtures and integrated these data into computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models to predict flow behavior during high-moisture extrusion. Temperature sweep tests revealed that increasing oil content elevated the onset and peak gelation temperatures from 64.13 to 70.21 °C and 70.29 to 76.08 °C, respectively, while decreasing gelation enthalpy from 4.05 J/g to 2.81 J/g. Large-amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) analysis showed a shift from strain-stiffening (e3/e1 > 0.15) behavior to strain-thinning (e3/e1 < 0.05) behavior with increasing oil, accompanied by enhanced shear-thinning behavior (v3/v1 < 0). Integrating these nonlinear parameters into the CFD simulations enhanced model accuracy relative to the SAOS-based approach, resulting in lower RMSE values (≤4.41 kPa for pressure and ≤0.11 mm/s for velocity) and enabling more realistic prediction of deformation and flow under extrusion-relevant conditions, a capability that conventional SAOS-based models could not achieve. Predicted outlet melt temperatures averaged 70.27 ± 1.55 °C, consistent with experimental results. The findings demonstrate that oil addition modulates protein network formation and flow resistance, and that nonlinear rheology-coupled CFD models enable reliable prediction of extrusion behavior. Overall, this study provides a novel rheology-driven modeling strategy for enhancing the design and optimization of oil-enriched plant-protein extrusion processes.
Source: Gels
DOI: 10.3390/gels11121003
Authors: Timilehin Martins Oyinloye, Chae-Jin Lee, Won Byong Yoon
Institution: Kangwon National University
Language: English
Topic: Proteins in Food Systems
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,534
Funders: National Research Foundation, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, National Research Foundation of Korea, Ministry of Education, India, Ministry of Science and ICT, South Korea, Commercializations Promotion Agency for R and D Outcomes
Awards: G2847874590, G2889420801, G4801518565
OpenAlex ID: W7114901795