Synergistic Effects of Steam Impinged Microwave-Vacuum Blanching on the Textural Behavior of Vegan Patties

The present study was carried out to understand the effect of the process variables of the combined microwave-vacuum-steam blanching process on the textural behavior of vegan patties. This novel blanching technique was systematically evaluated to optimize parameters, including microwave power density (3.8 W/g), steam duration (3 s), pea-to-potato mash ratio (0.252), patty thickness (0.866 cm), and microwave irradiation time (133 s). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to examine molecular-level structural and compositional changes across treated samples, providing insights into protein and starch interactions. Results demonstrated significant improvements in textural properties, attributed to enhanced protein denaturation and starch gelatinization. The study highlights the potential of this innovative technique to produce high-quality plant-based foods by optimizing process efficiency and product functionality. These findings contribute to the research area aimed at advancing sustainable processing methods for the development of vegan products to resemble their traditional counterparts in texture and sensory properties.