Abstract:
The invention relates to preparations that are devoid of cross-linking agents. The inventive preparations are obtained by mixing aqueous solutions and/or homogenized suspensions of biopolymers with precipitating agents and then dewatering said mixture. The invention also relates to the use of said preparations in cosmetic agents, medicaments and/or medical products as well as in food.
Abstract:
The use is provided of a fructan with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15 for the manufacture of a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer in non-bovine mammals, particularly in human beings. Also provided is a method of prevention and treatment of colon cancer in a non-bovine mammal, particularly in a human being, comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective dose of a fructan with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15. The said composition can be a medicament as well as a functional food. In a preferred embodiment the fructan is inulin, more preferably inulin with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 20.
Abstract:
Probiotic composition comprising one or more probiotic microorganisms, a carrier which will function to transport the one or more probiotic microorganisms to the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, the carrier comprising a modified or unmodified resistant starch or mixtures thereof, which carrier acts as a growth or maintenance medium for microorganisms in the large bowel or other regions of the gastrointestinal tract, and an oligosaccharide. Method of increasing the number of probiotic or resident microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal comprising providing to the animal the probiotic composition.
Abstract:
A gel composition of water, substantially linear polymeric monosaccharide and insoluble material exhibiting exceptional gel strength, thermal stability and organoleptic properties that may be utilized as a fat mimetic in food products. A preferred manufacturing method includes microparticulating the composition at elevated temperatures.
Abstract:
A method is provided for reducing the duration of diarrhea and recurrent episodes of diarrhea in humans by enterally administering indigestible oligosaccharides prophylactically. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method using indigestible oligosaccharides or fructooligosaccharides (FOS) to reduce the duration and recurrence of diarrhea in a human wherein between 0.5 grams and 5 grams of at least one FOS selected from the group consisting of 1-kestose, nystose, and 1F- beta -fructofuranosyl nystose is administered to said human per day. The indigestible oligosaccharides can be produced through enzymatic synthesis, chemical techniques or isolated from plant materials and are administered in the form of a nutritional product, candy, tablets, chewing gum, lozenges, milk, yogurts, fermented products and the like.
Abstract:
A porous aggregate having a high intraaggregate reticular volume for releasable containment of functional substances is described. The porous aggregates comprise discrete particles, preferably starch granules, bound together at least at their points of contact in the aggregates. The surfaces of the discrete particles cooperate to define an intraaggregate reticulate volume. The porous aggregate composition of this invention finds use as a high capacity carrier of functional substances for a wide variety of applications, in which the functional substance is released from the aggregate composition under the influence of mechanical compression/disintegration, by degradation or dissolution of the binder and/or particulate components, or by diffusion from the porous surface.
Abstract:
Described are protein and/or carbohydrate based fat-replicating systems and methods of making same in which fat globules mimicking particles of protein or carbohydrate origin are modified by encapsulating same in a membrane which more closely replicates the characteristics of natural fat globules. The membrane is of liposome architecture formed by lipids, in particular, liposomal phospholipids. Liposomal encapsulated food additives and the method of making and using same are described. Also described is a method of making a fat substitute from whey curd. The whey may include a protein additive such as caseinate. The preferred method of curd formation involves denaturing and curd formation using steam. A typical liposome encapsulated protein particle may also include microcrystalline cellulose. Additionally a second layer of casein may also be used to encapsulate the particle.
Abstract:
Branched fructo-oligosaccharides consisting of a chain which comprises mainly fructose units and has a preferred chain length of 2 to 15 units, on which are fixed one or more side chains mainly composed of fructose units. The length of the side chain, which may be straight or branched, is of 1 to 10 units. A composition consisting of one or more of the above mentioned branched fructo-oligosaccharides and, particularly, mixtures comprising, apart from the branched fructo-oligosaccharides, other ingredients such as proteins, lipids or fatty acids, carbohydrates, fibres and other additives, are also described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a process for preparing konjac glucomannan hydrolysates said process comprising the following steps: a. hydrolyzing a konjac glucomannan flour in the presence of a food-grade acid to provide a partially hydrolyzed konjac glucomannan, the moisture content at the beginning of said acid hydrolysis not exceeding 25 % by weight, preferably between 15 and 22 % by weight, more preferably between 18 and 20 % by weight; b. further hydrolyzing the partially hydrolyzed product of step a) in the presence of at least one enzyme chosen in the group consisting of transglucosidase, β-amylase, pullulanase, maltogenase glucoamylase, cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase, β-glucanase, cellulase, xylanase and polygalacturonase, preferably in the group consisting of transglucosidase, β-amylase, pullulanase and maltogenase, more preferably in the group consisting of transglucosidase and pullulanase; c. recovering the konjac glucomannan hydrolysates of step b).
Abstract:
A method for preparing a food composition containing konjac flour comprises the following steps: dosing a predetermined amount of konjac flour; dosing a predetermined amount of a food ingredient that is different from the konjac flour; hydrating said predetermined amount of konjac flour and said predetermined amount of a food ingredient that is different from the konjac flour; mechanically processing said predetermined amount of konjac flour and said predetermined amount of a food ingredient that is different from the konjac flour, so as to produce a konjac-based food mixture. The method is characterised in that said hydrating and said mechanically processing are carried out contemporaneously and a predetermined viscosity is achieved and maintained in said mixture. Through the aforesaid method a food composition containing konjac glucomannan can be obtained, said food composition being characterized in that it is provided with a shear viscosity that is comprised between 5680 Pa x s and 21000 Pa x s and is measured at a shear rate of 1 sec -1.