Ingredion unveils nature-based plating agent that transforms liquids into powders

Realizing that creating today’s on-trend foods and beverages means using a wide assortment of spices, seasonings, flavours and actives, food scientists at Ingredion Idea Labs developed the unique, porous structure of the plating agent that uses less carrier but still delivers the same amount of flavor.

Available as N-Zorbit 2144 DG in some Asia Pacific countries, the nature-based, non-GMO plating agent is more cost-effective and can carry more liquid than traditional carriers, according to the company.

“With the launch of N-Zorbit 2144 plating agent, we are able to unlock new application opportunities for manufacturers”, ​said Lilian Tan, marketing manager, Texture and Delivery Systems, Asia Pacific.

“Now, manufacturers can plate a wider range of actives at higher levels and more cost effectively than traditional carriers.”​

Unique structure and composition

The ingredient is a next generation plating agent with a unique, porous structure that increases the surface area exposed to liquids, which facilitates absorption.

It also has a non-gelatinised, granular structure that can be used to carry high-flavor concentrations that flow freely through processing equipment and mix evenly into food and beverage recipes.

The agent’s unique structure and composition contributes to an optimal particle size that can deliver a plating capacity as high as 40%. This means 100g of N-Zorbit 2144 can plate up to 70g of liquid, which is more than traditional carriers such as maltodextrin.

The agent can be used to deliver powdered versions of oil and water-based flavours and seasonings. It also adds thick honey, chocolate syrup and other viscous fluids to the range of ingredients that can be made into powders without the added expense of spray drying.