Collagen Casings Having Increased Final Moisture Content and Method of Production
Collagen casings having a final moisture content of between about 18.5% to 21.5% by weight may be produced by controlling the drying process for a collagen casing ready for drying. The collagen casing is treated with a suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil following the drying process. The resulting collagen casing does not require treatment in a humidification chamber to increase the moisture content of the casing prior to shirring.
1 . A process for producing a collagen casing having an increased final moisture content comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a collagen casing wherein the collagen casing is ready for final drying;
(b) feeding the collagen casing through a dryer and humidification chamber, wherein the collagen casing is dried to a final moisture content of between about 18.5% to about 21.5% by weight;
(c) applying to the collagen casing a suspension of a polysorbate in vegetable oil.
2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein the collagen casing is fed through a dryer having a first drying zone maintained at a temperature between about 150° F. and 195° F., a second drying zone maintained at a temperature between about 160° F. and 205° F., and a third drying zone maintained at a temperature between about 130° F. and 150° F.
3 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the relative humidity in each of the drying zones is maintained between about 85% to 95%.
4 . The process of claim 4 , wherein the final moisture content of the collagen casing is about 19.5% by weight.
5 . The process of claim 2 , wherein the suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil is applied in an amount of between about 1 to 6% of the total casing weight.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil is applied in an amount of between about 3 to 3.5% of the total casing weight.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the polysorbate comprises between about 0.3% to 1% w/w of the polysorbate/vegetable oil suspension.
8 . A tubular collagen casing comprising collagen having a moisture content of between about 18.5% by weight to about 21.5% by weight and a suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil on the outer surface of the collagen.
9 . The tubular collagen casing of claim 8 , wherein the final moisture content of the collagen casing is about 19.5% by weight.
10 . The tubular collagen casing of claim 1 , wherein the suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil is between about 1% to about 6% of the total casing weight.
11 . The tubular collagen casing of claim 10 , wherein the suspension of polysorbate in vegetable oil is between about 3% to about 3.5% of the total casing weight.
12 . The tubular collagen casing of claim 10 , wherein the polysorbate comprises between about 0.3% to about 1% w/w of the polysorbate/vegetable oil suspension.