In the research and development (R&D) and formulation optimization process of high-moisture extrudates (HMMA) and textured vegetable protein (TVP) from plant proteins, the desktop twin-screw extruder serves as the core experimental equipment. The rationality of its technical selection directly affects the efficiency of R&D work and the reliability of experimental data. This article will focus on several key technical requirements for this equipment in its application process.

I. Process Control Accuracy and Flexibility

Plant protein ingredients, such as soy protein, pea protein, and wheat protein, exhibit significant differences in functional properties. During texturization, they are extremely sensitive to parameters such as shear, temperature, and moisture injection.

Screw Configuration System:

The equipment should be equipped with a rich library of screw elements, allowing researchers to flexibly combine various elements such as conveying, mixing, and shearing based on specific formulas. This modular design is the foundation for simulating different process intensities and achieving specific fiber structures. By flexibly combining elements, it can better adapt to the characteristics of different plant protein raw materials and achieve ideal texturization effects.

Temperature Control Accuracy:

Temperature control accuracy is one of the core parameters affecting the protein structuring process. The control accuracy of each temperature zone in the barrel should be better than ±1.5°C to ensure that the protein denaturation process remains controllable. Within this accuracy range, it can effectively prevent protein over-denaturation or insufficient reaction due to temperature fluctuations, thereby ensuring the stability of final product texture and the reproducibility of experimental results.

II. Hygienic Design and Operational Efficiency of Equipment

To ensure the continuity of research and development work and the accuracy of data, the equipment must meet the operational requirements of high-frequency and multi-formula switching in laboratory settings.

Material and Surface Treatment: 

All parts that come into contact with materials shall be made of food-grade stainless steel and shall undergo polishing treatment to ensure there are no dead corners for cleaning, preventing cross-contamination between different batches and microbial growth.

Quick Disassembly and Maintenance: 

The equipment should support rapid disassembly and assembly of major components (such as screws and barrels), which not only significantly improves the efficiency of cleaning and material replacement but also facilitates researchers' direct observation of material conditions for process diagnosis. By timely observing the material status, researchers can more accurately adjust process parameters and optimize experimental procedures.

III. The Guiding Value of Experimental Data for Production

One of the core objectives of laboratory research is to provide reliable process windows and parameter basis for large-scale production.

Monitoring and recording of process parameters:

The equipment should be able to record and output key process parameters in real time, such as melt pressure, material temperature, spindle torque, etc. These data serve as the crucial foundation for understanding the process-structure-performance relationship and establishing scalable models.

Process Stability and Reproducibility:

The mechanical and control systems of equipment must ensure long-term stable operation under set parameters. Only with highly reproducible experimental results can effective decision support be provided for subsequent production line scaling-up.

IV. Considerations of Adaptability in the Development of Different Protein Raw Materials

Different research and development directions require corresponding equipment adaptability.

HMMA R&D:

The focus is on fiber structure formation under high-moisture conditions (usually above 50%). This poses stricter requirements on the equipment's melt conveying capacity, cooling die design, and shear-thermal history balance control.

TVP R&D: 

More emphasis is placed on product expansion, pore structure, and rehydration properties. The key to its process control lies in melt evaporation and molding at the exit die, thus requiring specific demands for pressure establishment at the barrel end and die design.

Conclusion

A high-performance desktop twin-screw extruder holds significant value for systematically advancing plant protein research and development. Its comprehensive performance in process control, hygiene design, and data output are core elements in assessing equipment suitability. Carefully considering these key technical requirements will help research teams select more suitable experimental platforms, laying a solid foundation for innovative work.