Bulking agents and processes for preparing them from food gums

Abstract: Soluble bulking agents for replacing up to 100% of the sucrose or other soluble, simple carbohydrates in edible formulations are provided. The bulking agents are substantially non-digestible and have an average molecular weight range of 500 to 50,000. Also provided are edible formulations containing these bulking agents and processes for preparing these bulking agents, preferably by enzymatically depolymerizing naturally-occurring, heteropolysaccha-rides such as pectin, tamarind seed gum, guar gum, locust bean (carob seed) gum, konjac gum, xanthan gum, alginates, agar or other food gums to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments having an average DP of 3 to 75, preferably 3 to 30. The process employs one or more enzymes such as 1,4- beta -D-Mannanmannohydrolyase, or 1,6- alpha -D-Galactosidase for degrading 1,4- beta -D-linked mannose-containing heteropolysaccharides (e.g., guar gum); or one or more enzymes such as 1,4- beta -D-Glucanase, 1,4- beta -D-Glucanglucanohydrolase, and 1,4- beta -D-Glucanglucohydrolyase or 1,4- beta -D-glucan cellobiohydrolase for degrading 1,4- beta -D-linked glucose-containing heteropolysaccharides (e.g., tamarind seed gum).

Description: This invention relates to bulking agents for use in edible formulations and processes for preparing these agents from food gums, such as pectin, carrageenan, alginates, tamarind seed gum, xanthan gum, and locust bean (or carob seed) gum. Bulking agents can be used to partially or completely replace high-caloric ingredients, such as sugar and/or flour so as to prepare an edible formulation with a reduction in calories. Also, the bulking agents are useful as a source of soluble fiber to be incorporated into foods and, unlike sucrose, are non-cariogenic. When the sugar component of an edible formulation is replaced by a low calorie sweetener, such as saccharin, cyclamate or aspartame, the bulking and other textural benefits of the sugar component are lost. Bulking agents are required in these formulations to simulate the functional properties of sugar. These functional properties include body, viscosity and mouthfeel in liquids; volume, cell structure, crumb structure and humectancy in baked goods and overall visual and textural impact in a variety of edible formulations. Sugar also functions to depress the freezing point and increase the boiling point of various foods. In baked goods, which typically contain 15-40% sugar, the bulking agent used to replace the sugar must provide significant functional qualities other than sweetness which the sugar contributes to the baked goods. There is increasing interest in foods having a reduced caloric content, and especially in low-calorie, baked goods. Such baked goods are desirable for reducing body weight and preventing unwanted weight gain. One approach to reducing the caloric value of baked goods has been to replace part of the carbohydrate components (e.g., sugar or flour) with agents that are substantially non-digestible, and hence low in calories. For example, various forms of purified plant cellulose, such as alpha-cellulose sold under the trade name "Solka-Floc," and microcrystalline cellulose sold under the trade name "Avicel," have been proposed as partial flour substitutes. When these conventional cellulose materials are used as bulking agents in a food, the food is not smooth, has a gritty mouthfeel, gives the impression of the presence of an additional insoluble or residual substance and tends to accumulate in the mouth. The soluble cellulose derivatives which have been used as bulking agents tend to form unpalatable, gummy masses in the mouth. JP-A-62-210965 discloses non-digestible oligosaccharides obtainable from agar with a DP of from 2 to 30 and low calory foods and drinks containing them. EP-A-0 301 440 concerns modified (i.e. enzymatically degraded) hemicelluloses, with a DP of 4 to 10. Said hemicelluloses are used as water soluble bulking agents in low calory foods and drinks, in combination with high intensity sweeteners such as aspartame or acesulfame-K. EP-A-0 251 798 refers to enzymatically degraded glucans with a DP of 3 to 4 for use as non-digestible water soluble bulking agents in low calory foodstuff such as marmelade, pudding or ice cream which may additionally comprise high intensity sweeteners such as aspartame. EP-A-0 449 594 which is prior art according to Article 54 (3) EPC discloses extensively depolymerized guar to be used as a noncaloric bulking agent to replace the bulk of sugar in food formulations. The extensively depolymerized guar may be made by the acid hydrolysis of guar powder. Polydextrose, a soluble, substantially non-digestible carbohydrate, has been sold as a sugar substitute having bulking properties that are superior to those of cellulose materials. Polydextrose often imparts an undesirable bitter or sour flavor and undesirable texture to foods at high usage levels. Typically, two types of bulking agents are used to replace carbohydrates in reduced caloric foods. Soluble bulking agents are used to replace sucrose and simple sugars, and insoluble bulking agents are used to replace flour or starch. The bulking agents herein are of the first type. This invention provides substantially non-digestible bulking agents for use in low- or reduced-calorie foods and other edible formulations, which agents provide the functional benefits of sugar. These agents comprise edible, water soluble substantially depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having hexose backbone(s) and an average DP (degree of polymerization) of 3 to 75, which are characterized in that the bulking agent comprises a depolymerized heteropolysaccharide of food gums selected from tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, pectin, carrageenan and alginates wherein said depolymerized heteropolysaccharide is produced by an acid or oxidizing agent and has a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000. Up to 100% of the sucrose or other soluble simple carbohydrates may be replaced by these bulking agents. The bulking agents are typically used with high intensity, low-caloric sweeteners, such as saccharin, methyl L-aspartyl phenylalanine ("aspartame"), acesulfame-K, alitame, trichlorogalactosucrose, cyclamates, fructose and neohesperidine dihydrochalcone, which will provide the sweet taste of sugar while the bulking agents impart physical properties other than sweetness. These bulking agents may be simply and economically produced without extensive purification from naturally-occurring heteropolysaccharides having histories of safe use in edible formulations (e.g., pectin and guar gum). They contribute little, if any, flavor or color to the formulation and are stable under typical food storage conditions. An enzymatically digested guar gum (24,000-30,000 molecular weight) has been suggested for use in foods as a dietary fiber associated with several beneficial physiological effects. See, Hidehisa Takahashi, "Dietary Fiber from Guar Plant Seed," Bulletin of Taiyo Kagaku Company, Ltd., March, 1990. Depolymerized carrageenan (20,000 molecular weight) has been used for peptic ulcer treatment. Physiological Effects of Food Carbohydrates , Amer. Chem. Society Symposium Series No. 15, Jeanes, A. and Hodge, J., Eds. ACS, Washington, D.C. 1975, pp. 282-295. The use of depolymerized gums as a functional substitute for sugar in foods is not disclosed. This invention provides soluble bulking agents for use in edible formulations, comprising substantially depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having an average degree of polymerization (DP) of 3 to 75, which heteropolysaccharide(s) are naturally-occurring and have hexose backbone(s). The bulking agents preferably comprise at least 90%, by weight, of depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having a molecular weight of less than 10,000. They preferably have an average DP of 3 to 30; have a weight average molecular weight from about 500 to 5,000; and a dextrose equivalent (DP) of at least 20. The bulking agents may replace up to 100% of the sucrose or other soluble simple carbohydrates in edible formulations. The bulking agents are derived from food gums selected from locust bean gum, tamarind seed gum, alginates, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and pectin, or a combination thereof, by chemical depolymerization process(es) using an acid or oxidizing agent. Bulking agents derived from locust bean gum and tamarind seed gum are preferred. This invention also provides processes for preparing the bulking agents from food gums, comprising the steps: (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising one or more food gum(s); (b) bringing the dispersion into contact with an effective amount of at least one acid or one oxidizing agent capable of cleaving the gum(s) to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments; and (c) permitting the acid or oxidizing agent to depolymerize the gum(s) to an average DP of 3 to 75, to a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000. Optionally, the process may comprise the further steps of recovering the bulking agents; refining the bulking agents; or granulating or drying the bulking agents; or a combination thereof. This invention also provides edible formulations, comprising the bulking agents. Among the edible formulations which may include the bulking agents are: baked goods; puddings, creams and custards; jams and jellies; confections; soft drinks and other sweetened beverages, in liquid or dry form; sauces and salad dressings; ice cream and frozen desserts; foods which are sweetened; tabletop sweeteners and pharmaceuticals. In particular, sweetened edible formulations containing a sweetener with fewer calories than sucrose may be prepared from a soluble, depolymerized heteropolysaccharide bulking agent(s) having an average DP of 3 to 75. These sweetened, edible formulations also may comprise acesulfame-K, alitame, trichlorogalactosucrose, cyclamates, saccharin, aspartame or its salts or metal complexes, or mixtures thereof, in amounts effective to render the formulation sweet. The bulking agents are heteropolysaccharides which nave been depolymerized to a DP of 3 to 75, preferably a DP of 3 to 30. The bulking agents preferred for use in this invention include depolymerized water soluble heteropolysaccharides which are substantially non-digestible by humans. The bulking agents are derived from natural sources (preferably gums approved for use in foods); provide fewer calories than sucrose (preferably provide essentially no calories); and provide the functional benefits of sugar (preferably those of sucrose), other than sweetness, in edible formulations. The bulking agents preferably comprise monosaccharides other than glucose, but may include glucose linked to diverse monosaccharides by glycosyl bonds which resist attack by human digestive enzymes (e.g., beta -1,4-; beta -1,3-; and beta -1,6-bonds). Representative monosaccharide components of bulking agents are shown in Table I. The agents preferably comprise mannose, galactose, xylose, glucose and sugar acids, such as galacturonic acid, and derivatives thereof. As used herein, "non-digestible" means human digestive enzymes are incapable of depolymerizing the bulking agents to yield monosaccharides with nutritive value to humans. Human amylolytic enzymes, such as 1,4- alpha -D-Glucan glucanohydrolase; 1,4- alpha -D-Glucan maltohydrolase; and 1,4- alpha -D-Glucan glucohydrolase; maltosidases, glucosidases, sucrase and phosphorylase, are incapable of depolymerizing the heteropolysaccharide bulking agents herein. Likewise the brush border enzymes of the human intestine, such as maltase, isomaltase ( alpha -dextrinase), lactase, trehalase, glycosylceramidase and alkaline phosphatase are incapable of degrading the bulking agents and the heteropolysaccharide components of dietary fiber from which the bulking agents are derived. Among the dietary polysaccharides, only cooked starch, amylodextrins, and glycogen are considered to be fully digestible. The other, largely indigestible food polysaccharides of vegetable origin are included in the group of substances called "dietary fiber." Dietary fiber is not to be confused with "crude fiber." Only a fraction of dietary fiber is fibrous, and some of it (the fraction employed herein) is soluble in water. Dietary fiber consists of amorphous as well as fibrous cellulose, along with the associated hemicelluloses, protopectin, soluble pentosans, and soluble fructans. Noncarbohydrate lignin is another component of dietary fiber. Lignin and cellulose are the main constituents of the "crude fiber" fraction of proximate analysis (i.e., the residue remaining after hot acidic and alkaline extractions of defatted foods). The natural, heterogeneously constituted and essentially indigestible food-additive gums, and the bulking agents prepared by depolymerizing these gums, also are considered to be dietary fiber because their various polysaccharide structures resemble those of the hemicelluloses and pentosans of foods. While data on human digestibility of these heteropolysaccharides is scarce, any observed digestibility is apparently the result of microbial fermentation in the large intestine (see, e.g., Physiological Effects of Food Carbohydrates , Jeanes & Hodge, Editors, 1975, ACS Symposium Series, Wash., D.C., pp. 267-347). To the extent that microbial fermentation of these heteropolysaccharides occurs in absorptive regions of the human gut (i.e., primarily the small intestine) the monosaccharides produced thereby could contribute nutritive content to the heteropolysaccharides. Microbial fermentation of dietary fiber occurs largely in the lower intestine and produces fatty acids having very limited nutritive value to humans, relative to that of sugars. Feeding studies with rats have shown that diets containing 5 or 15% of guar gum, pectin, carrageenan or cellulose either reduced the weight gain, or caused an increase in diet consumed to maintain an equivalent weight gain to that of a fiber free diet control. Shiau, S., and Chang, G. W., Effects of Dietary Fiber on Fecal Mucinase and Beta-Glucuronidase Activity in Rats, J. Nutrition Vol. 113, No. 1, 1983, pp. 138-144. Thus, these heteropolysaccharides, together with their depolymerized heteropolysaccharide counterparts used as bulking agents herein, are considered to be a substantially non-caloric soluble dietary fiber component of foods. When used to replace sucrose in foods, the foods containing the bulking agents have fewer calories than equivalent sucrose-containing foods. Because the bulking agents disclosed herein are used in edible formulations, their safety is critical. Thus, the bulking agents are isolated from or derived from natural sources, and in particular, from heteropolysaccharides which have historically been used in edible formulations without adverse effects. Suitable heteropolysaccharides include substantially non-digestible, plant and microbial gums and soluble fibers which are substantially water-soluble or -dispersible, are substantially non-cellulosic, and are susceptible to depolymerization to yield the heteropolysaccharide fragments employed herein as bulking agents. Food gums with proven safety as food or pharmaceutical additives are preferred. Suitable heteropolysaccharides are locust bean gum, xanthan gum, tamarind seed gum, alginates, carageenan, agar and pectins. With the exception of heteropolysaccharides comprising significant amounts of starch (1,4- alpha -D-glucopyranoses), dextran (1,6- alpha -D-glucopyranoses), glucans (1,3- beta -D-glucopyranoses) and cellulose (1,4- beta -D-glucopyranoses), nearly all naturally-occurring heteropolysaccharides are capable of yielding non-digestible bulking agents upon depolymerization. Processes known in the art are employed to depolymerize the naturally-occurring heteropolysaccharide. The practitioner will select processes, or combinations of processes, which tend to yield heteropolysaccharide fragments, rather than monosaccharides, so as to provide a low calorie bulking agent. The only requirements are that the process provide heteropolysaccharides having an average DP of 3-75, that are substantially non-digestible and suitable for use in foods as a functional replacement for sugar. Thus, the depolymerization or degradation process is carried out by treatment with or acid and/or oxidation either alone or in combination with other chemical means, or thermal means, or mechanical shear The depolymerization process may be employed alone or in combination with other process(es). Galactomannan gums are frequently found in the seed endosperm of leguminous plants. They comprise an essentially linear beta -mannan backbone and single unit alpha -galactopyranose branches. Among the galactomannan gums which have been used in foods are guar gum and locust bean (or carob seed) gum. Guar and locust bean gums contain a beta -1,4-D-linked backbone of mannose with 3:2 and 4:1, respectively mannose:galactose, with alpha -1,6-D-branches linking galactose to the mannose backbone. In a preferred embodiment, the gum is depolymerized by acid hydrolysis. The acid treatment is preferably carried out on a dispersion containing 20 to 40%, by weight, gum, with an acid approved for use in or contact with foods (e.g., sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid or phosphoric acid) at an acid concentration and temperature effective to yield an average DP of 3-75. For example, 500 ml of a 2% solution of sulfuric acid will depolymerize 10 grams of guar gum to a DP of 3-75 at 60°C in 6 hours. Tamarind seed gum comprises a 1,4- beta -D-glucan backbone substituted with single unit 1,6- alpha -D-xylopyranosyl, and 1,6- alpha -D-xylopyranosyl-1,2- beta -D-galactopyranosyl branches. Tamarind seed gum comprises galactose:xylose:glucose at a ratio of about 1:2:3. The gum may be selected from refined or crude starting materials. For example, a de-oiled tamarind seed powder remaining after solvent extraction of the ground seed kernel may be employed. Also useful is the refined heteropolysaccharide obtained by removing protein and other seed components in addition to the oil. The progress of the depolymerization reaction may be monitored by changes in viscosity, reducing sugar content or molecular weight. The practitioner will recognize that processing conditions may be readily modified to accommodate different gum sources and end product attributes. Xanthan gum is derived from a bacterial source and comprises D-glucose, D-mannose and D-glucuronic acid in the ratio of about 3:3:2, with acetyl and pyruvic acid substituent groups present on various saccharide units. Pectin is a component of plant cell walls comprising 1,4- alpha -D-galacturonic acid, with or without methoxylated carboxylic acid moieties and acetic ester moieties at C 2 and C 3 . Alginates are gums derived from seaweed which occur in a variety of structures. The alginates include linear heteropolysaccharides comprising D-mannuronic acid and L-guluronic acid in varying ratios. Other seaweed extracts include beta -D- and alpha -L-galactans, which may be substituted with sulfate half-ester groups and linked to 3,6-anhydro- alpha -L-(or beta -D-) galactose branches by a 1,3-linkage. An other gum useful as starting materials in the production of the bulking agents herein is carrageenan gum. As with tamarind seed gum, the practitioner will recognize that depolymerization agents and processing parameters may be readily selected to suit the particular heteropolysaccharide and the bulking agent to be prepared therefrom. Mixtures of gums may be depolymerized to yield a blend of bulking agents. The only process limitations are that the product must comprise heteropolysaccharide fragments with an average DP of 3 to 75, preferably 3 to 30, and exhibit the functional characteristics, other than sweetness, of sugars, particularly sucrose, in edible formulations. Not more than 10% of the bulking agent should have a molecular weight which exceeds 10,000 (weight average molecular weight). The preferred molecular weight is from 500 to 5,000, however, particular ranges may be preferred for different food applications. For example, cakes require a lower average molecular weight (500 - 2,500) bulking agent. A higher average molecular weight (2,500 - 13,000) is suitable for heavier-textured foods such as pudding and ice cream. Other foods, such as table top sweeteners used in place of sucrose, may contain bulking agents having molecular weights up to 50,000, provided the sweetener does not excessively increase the viscosity of the food sweetened thereby. Additionally, for preferred functional characteristics, the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the bulking agents should be at least 20 and the viscosity of a 30% solution should not exceed 50 mPas (cps). The DE, or dextrose equivalent, is a measurement of the reducing sugar content of degraded polysaccharides. The more degradation, the higher the DE and the percent reducing sugars. Following depolymerization, the heteropolysaccharide product is typically a mixture of saccharide fragments, the majority of which have a DP of 3 to 30. This product mixture may be refined by washing, filtration, adsorption, distillation, chromatography or any method known in the art (e.g., carbon or activated clay filtration, vacuum filtration, ion exchange chromatography, steam stripping, centrifugation, ultrafiltration, column chromatography, reverse osmosis, or other methods of fractionation) to yield a purified bulking agent. The product may be used, as is, in a dispersed state. It may be dried by any means known in the art, with or without purification steps. The depolymerization process may be combined with other process(es), such as gum isolation or pre-refinement, or formulation with additional edible components (e.g., saccharin) prior to, during, or after drying, granulation or other processing steps in the manufacture of the bulking agents. The bulking agents herein may be employed alone, or as mixtures, in any edible formulation. The nature of the edible formulation will direct the selection of an appropriate bulking agent from those disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the edible formulation contains the bulking agent(s) in place of sucrose, or other granulated sugar, or corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, or other sweeteners. The edible formulation may be liquid or dry, may be heat processed or frozen or refrigerated, and may contain appropriate high potency sweeteners. The bulking agents are stable to the temperature, oxygen content, enzymatic activity and pH conditions normally observed in the manufacture and storage of foods, pharmaceuticals and other edible formulations. In a preferred embodiment, the edible formulation is a baked food. In a second preferred embodiment, the edible formulation is a low calorie sweetener, comprising the bulking agent(s) and a high potency (artificial) sweetener selected, for example, from aspartame, acesulfame-K, saccharin, cyclamates and the like. The low calorie sweetener blend may be used alone, as a table-top sweetener, or in edible formulations to replace sugars. It may be in a liquid, powdered or a granulated form. In the examples which follow, all parts and percentages are by weight and molecular weights are estimated from gel permeation chromatography (GPC) employing dextran standards. The examples do not belong to the invention and are appended for illustrative purposes only. Example 1 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from a commercially available refined tamarind seed gum. Sodium benzoate (0.3g) was dissolved in 1.2 L water, the pH was adjusted to 5.0-5.2 with a 3:1 solution of water:HCl, and the solution was placed in a 50°C water bath. When the solution reached 50°C, 8.3 ml of Celluclast® enzyme preparation (Novo Industries, Inc., Danbury, Connecticut) was added to the solution. A total of 300g tamarind seed gum (Glyloid® 3S, obtained from Dainippon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Osaka, Japan) was slowly added to the enzyme solution and enzymatic depolymerization was carried out for 20 hours at 50°C. The enzyme was deactivated by the addition of sufficient 3:1 solution of water:HCl to lower the pH to 2.7-3.0 for 1/2 hour. The solution was then neutralized by the addition of 3% NaOH and spray-dried on an Anhydro Spray-Drier (Type - Lab. S1, Anhydro Corp., Copenhagen, Denmark) at 15% solids with an inlet temperature of 210-215°C and an outlet temperature of 90°C. Air at 206.8 kPa (30 p.s.i.) was used to atomize the solution in the drier. The molecular weight was determined by gel permeation chromatography employing dextran standards. The estimated peak molecular weight of the product (86% of total mixture) ranged from about 650 to 2,400 . The molecular weight fraction above 10,000 represented 1.6% of the total product. The molecular weight fraction below 300 represented about 10% of the total product. The product contained 24% reducing sugars. The viscosity of a 50% solution measured on a Brookfield viscometer (20 rpms, 2 spindle) was 150 cps. Example 2 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from a crude, de-oiled, tamarind kernel powder. Sodium benzoate (2.0g) was dissolved in 8 L of water, the solution pH and temperature were adjusted as in Example 1, and 200 ml of Celluclast® enzyme preparation were added. A total of 2.0 Kg of de-oiled tamarind kernel powder (TIC Gums, Inc., Belcamp, Maryland) was slowly added to the enzyme solution and enzymatic depolymerization was carried out for 24 hours at 50°C. The enzyme was deactivated by increasing the temperature of the solution to 90°C for 1/2 hour. A filter-aid (Celite 560, Manville, Inc., Lompoc, California) (500g) was added to the hot solution and the solution was filtered through a Buchner funnel that had been pre-coated with Celite 560. The filtrate containing the bulking agent was spray-dried as in Example 1, except that the filtrate was adjusted to 10% solids before drying. A total of 87% of the product had an estimated peak molecular weight of about 650 to 2,500, and 2% had an estimated molecular weight over 10,000. Example 3 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from guar gum by enzymatic depolymerization. Sodium benzoate (2.0g) was dissolved in 8.0 L of water, the pH was adjusted to 4.2-5.0 with a 3:1 HCl solution, 300 ml of Gamanase™ (Novo Industries, Inc., Danbury, Connecticut) which had been ultrafiltered through a 30,000 molecular weight cut-off filter was added, and the enzyme solution was heated to 70°C over a constant temperature water bath. A total of 2 Kg of guar gum (Dycol® HV-400F, National Starch and Chemical Co., Bridgewater, New Jersey) was slowly dispersed in the enzyme solution, the solution was covered and enzymatic depolymerization was carried out for 124 hours. One Kg samples of the solution were removed after 5 and 124 hours. The enzyme preparation was deactivated by heating the samples to 90°C for 1/2 hour. The 1.0 Kg samples were each filtered as in Example 2, except that 250 g of Celite 560 was used per 1.0 Kg sample. The filtrate containing the bulking agent was spray-dried as in Example 1, except that solids ranged from 10 to 15% and the inlet temperature was 220°C. The estimated peak molecular weight ranged from about 220 to 4,600 (84% of total product) after 5 hours and from 250 to 1,750 (81% of total product) after 124 hours. The molecular weight below 300 represented 16.3% of the total 124 hour sample and 10% of the 5 hour sample. The bulking agent contained 20% reducing sugars after 5 hours and 33% after 124 hours. The viscosity of a 30% solution measured on a Brookfield viscometer (20 rpms; 2 spindle) was 50 cps after 5 hours and 20 cps after 124 hours. Example 4 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from guar gum by acid hydrolysis. A total of 500 ml of a solution of 2% H 2 SO 4 was placed in a constant temperature water bath at 60°C. Guar gum (10g of Dycol HV400F) was slowly dispersed in the acid solution and the reaction vessel was covered. Samples (100 ml) were withdrawn at 2, 3.5, 6 and 24 hours, and neutralized to pH of 5 - 6 by adding 25% NaOH. The samples were freeze-dried (Dura-Dry™ MP, Model # TD-3C-MP, FTS Systems, Inc., Stove Ridge, New York). The molecular weights of the samples were determined by the method of Example 1. The 2 and 3.5 hour samples were insufficiently depolymerized. Results for the 6 and 24 hour samples are shown in Table II. Molecular Weight of Acid-Hydrolyzed Guar Gum Peak Molecular Weight Fraction % of Total 6 hours 0-300 17 480 2 6,300 57 7,500 24 24 hours 0-300 57 480 11 660 32 Example 5 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from locust bean gum by enzymatic depolymerization. Sodium benzoate (0.5g) was dissolved in 2.0 L of water, 25.0 ml of Gamanase enzyme preparation was added, the pH was adjusted to 4.0-4.2 with a 3:1 HCl solution and the enzyme solution was heated to 70°C over a constant temperature water bath. A total of 0.5 Kg of locust bean gum (Dycol® F-175, National Starch and Chemical Co., Bridgewater, New Jersey) was slowly dispersed in the enzyme solution, the solution was covered and enzymatic depolymerization was carried out for 3.0 hours at 70°C. The enzyme preparation was deactivated by the addition of sufficient 3:1 HCl solution to lower the pH to 2.7-3.0 for 1/2 hour. Afterwards, the solution was neutralized as in Example 1. The dispersion was filtered as in Example 2 (except that 50g of Celite 560 was added to the dispersion). The filtrate containing the bulking agent was spray-dried as in Example 1, except that the filtrate contained 18% solids. The estimated peak molecular weight of the bulking agent ranged from 280 to 2,300 (93% of total product). The fraction having a molecular weight less than 300 represented 35% of the total product. The bulking agent contained 35% reducing sugars. The viscosity of a 30% solution measured on a Brookfield viscometer (20 rpms, 2 spindle) was 20 cps. Example 6 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from pectin. Deionized water (2.5 L) was heated to 50°C over a constant temperature water bath, the pH was adjusted to 5.5 with a 3:1 solution of water:HCl, and 15 ml of Breakerase® G (Gist-Brocades, USA, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina) was added to the water. A total of 500 g of citrus fruit pectin (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Missouri) was dispersed in the enzyme mixture and enzymatic depolymerization was permitted to continue for 4 days. The enzyme was deactivated by the addition of sufficient HCl to lower the pH to less than 3.0 for 1/2 hour. The product was spray-dried as in Example 1. The pectin-derived bulking agent (72%) had an average peak molecular weight of 4,400. The fraction over 10,000 molecular weight was 1.5% of the total product; and under 300 was 16% of the total product. The viscosity of a 20%, by weight, solution was 50 cps (Brookfield viscometer; 20 rpm; 2 spindle). Example 7 This example illustrates the preparation of bulking agents from xanthan gum by enzymatic depolymerization. Celluclast enzyme (1 ml) and 2.8 g xanthan gum (Kelco, Inc., Chicago, Illinois) were added to 200 ml water with agitation. The mixture was covered and depolymerization was carried out at room temperature for 24 hours, followed by heating to 90°C for 1/2 hour. A 1.4% solution of the depolymerized xanthan gum had a viscosity of 1800 cps (20 rpms; 4 spindle). About 3.4% of the total depolymerized gum had an average peak molecular weight of 930 (DP = 6). Example 8 This example illustrates the granulation of the bulking agents. A total of 1.0 L of a 20% solid solution of the tamarind seed derived bulking agent of Example 1 was placed into a Brinkman Instruments RotoVapor (Buchi 011, Sybron Corp., Westbury, New York) and heated to 86°C. The solution was evaporated under vacuum to at least 75% solids. The resulting syrup was spread on a Teflon® coated plate and air-dried at ambient conditions. The dried, polycrystalline bulking agent was ground and collected in granular form. Example 9 This example illustrates the use of the bulking agents of this invention to replace 100% of the sucrose in table top sweeteners. A solution was prepared of 50 g of bulking agent derived from guar gum (depolymerized as in Example 1 to a DE of 24) and 0.2 g saccharin in 50 ml deionized water. The solution was heated to dissolve the bulking agent, spread on a Teflon® coated plate and dried at 50°C in a draft oven overnight. The dried sweetener was ground and classified with U.S. standard sieves. The sweetener was collected as granules which passed through 40 mesh screen and were retained on 80 mesh screens. This sweetener and a sucrose control were evaluated for solubility and viscosity in water at room temperature (1 g sweetener/15 ml water). The experimental sweetener functioned in a manner equivalent to the sucrose control. Example 10 This example illustrates the use of a bulking agent of this invention to replace 100% of the sucrose in baked goods. Muffins were prepared according to the following formulation, employing either depolymerized tamarind gum (Example 1) or sucrose (control). Muffin Formulation Ingredient Weight (grams) Control Depolymerized Tamarind Gum Flour 120 120 Salt 1.5 1.5 Sucrose 24 ----- Bulking Agent ----- 24 Egg 25 25 Milk 122.5 122.5 Shortening 16 16 Baking Powder 6 6 Sunette® ----- 3.8 The muffins were baked at 400°F (205°C) for 17 minutes and visually evaluated for crumb and crust color, crumbliness of the muffin, moist/dry appearance, volume and overall textural qualities. In all aspects, the depolymerized tamarind gum sample closely resembled the sucrose control. The only discernible difference was a slightly more moist appearance in the tamarind sample. Prior to baking, the batter viscosity and pouring characteristics were essentially the same. Thus, the bulking agents herein may functionally replace 100% of the sugar in conventional baked goods. Example 11 This example illustrates the use of the bulking agents in edible formulations. A. Cakes Yellow cakes were prepared according to the following formulation, employing the controls and bulking agents listed in Table III, below. Yellow Cake Formulation Ingredient Weight % Control Test Water 29.2 29.2 Flour 24.8 24.8 Sugar 29.2 14.6 Bulking Agent 0.0 14.6 Shortening 9.3 9.3 Nonfat Dry Milk 3.0 3.0 Dry Egg 2.5 2.5 Baking Powder 1.0 1.0 Salt 0.5 0.5 Vanilla Extract 0.5 0.5 Cakes were prepared by blending dry ingredients; mixing dry ingredients, shortening, water and vanilla on low setting in a Mix Master® mixer for one minute; blending in the mixer (setting 8) for two minutes; pouring batter into greased and floured pan; and baking at 177°C (350°F) for 30 minutes. Bulking agents were used at 50% and 40% sucrose replacement level. Cakes were evaluated against the sucrose control for center rise, edge rise, crust and crumb color, crumb structure, crumb feel and overall organoleptic impression. Results are shown in Table III. The bulking agents having a DE of at least 20 and a molecular weight distribution wherein at least 90% of the depolymerized gum had a molecular weight of less than 10,000 provided cake volume, crumb texture, mouthfeel and cake appearance equivalent to that of the sucrose (100%) control. The 50% sucrose sample that contained no bulking agent was unacceptable. Bulking Agents Used to Replace Sucrose in Yellow Cakes Bulking Agents Estimated Peak Mol. weight % Mol. Weight over 10,000 D.E. Viscosity 30% Soln cps % Sucrose Replacement Quality Evaluation Cakes Tamarind (111) 650-2,500 2.2 24 -- 50 Acceptable Tamarind (137) 1,100-2,700 0 23 240 50 Acceptable Guar (15-2) 1,200-2,700 15.9 10.5 2,500 40 Unacceptable Guar (134-1) 250-11,000 9.4 20 50 40 Marginally Acceptable Locust Bean (113) 280-2,300 0 35 20 50 Acceptable Sucrose (29.2%) 342 -- 0 -- 0 Acceptable Sucrose (14.6%) 342 -- 0 -- 0 Unacceptable B. Cooked Puddings Puddings were prepared according to the following formulation, employing the controls and bulking agents listed in Table IV, below. Cooked Pudding Formulation Ingredient Weight Control Test (50%) Test (100% Starch 4.0 4.0 4.0 Sugar 14.0 7.0 --- Bulking Agent ---- 7.0 14.0 Vanilla 0.75 0.75 0.75 Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 Skim Milk 81.0 81.0 81.0 The ingredients were dry blended, added to lukewarm milk, slowly heated to 185°F (88°C) and held at 185°F for 10 minutes. Bulking agents were used at 50 and 100% sucrose replacement levels. Puddings were evaluated against the sucrose control and a polydextrose-containing sample for viscosity, body, mouthfeel and overall texture. Results are shown in Table IV, below. Bulking Agents Used to Replace Sucrose in Cooked Puddings Bulking Agents Estimated Peak Mol. weight % Mol. Weight over 10,000 D.E. Viscosity 30% Soln cps % Sucrose Replacement Quality Evaluation Puddings Guar (15-2) 730-5,700 15.9 10.5 2,500 100 Unacceptable Guar (16-2) 425-14,800 36.7 12.5 700 100 Unacceptable Guar (134-1) 250-11,000 9.4 20 50 100 Marginally Acceptable Guar (134-1) 250-11,000 9.4 20 50 50 Acceptable Tamarind (137) 1,100-2,700 0 23 240 100 Acceptable Tamarind (6698:12) 1,100-6,200 2.3 24 -- 100 Acceptable Sucrose 342 -- 0 -- 0 Acceptable Polydextrose -- -- -- -- 100 Acceptable The bulking agents having a DE of at least 20 and an estimated molecular weight distribution wherein at least 90% of the depolymerized gum had a molecular weight of less than 10,000 provided cooked pudding viscosity, body, mouthfeel and overall texture equivalent to that of the sucrose control and polydextrose-containing sample. The Kcal content of the cooked pudding dry mix was calculated based on zero Kcal/g for the bulking agents and 4.0 Kcal/g for sucrose. At 50% sucrose replacement the dry mix had 230 Kcal/100 g dry mix compared to 378 Kcal/100 g for the sucrose control. At 100% sucrose replacement, the dry mix had 84 Kcal/100 g dry mix.

Claims: Claims for the following Contracting States : AT, BE, CH, LI, DE, DK, FR, GB, GR, IT, LU, NL, SE Bulking agents for use in edible formulations, comprising edible, water soluble substantially depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having hexose backbone(s) and an average DP of 3 to 75, characterized in that the bulking agent comprises a depolymerized heteropolysaccharide of food gums selected from tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, pectin, carrageenan and alginates wherein said depolymerized heteropolysaccharide is produced by an acid or oxidizing agent and has a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000. The bulking agents of claim 1, comprising at least 90%, by weight, of depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having a weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000. The bulking agents of claim 2, comprising depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000. The bulking agents of claim 1, comprising non-digestible depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s). The bulking agents of claim 1, comprising depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having an average DP of 3 to 30. The bulking agents of claim 1, comprising depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having a dextrose equivalent of at least 20. Edible formulation, comprising bulking agents according to at least one of claims 1 to 6. Edible formulation according to claim 7, wherein up to 100% sucrose and other soluble simple carbohydrates are replaced by the bulking agent. Edible formulation according to claim 7, wherein the edible forumation comprises baked goods; puddings, creams and custards; jams and jellies; confections; soft drinks and other sweetened beverages, in liquid or dry form; sauces and salad dressings; ice cream and frozen desserts; foods which are sweetened; and pharmaceuticals. Edible formulation according to claim 9, wherein the depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) is tamarind seed gum. Edible food formulation according to claim 7, which is sweetened and which comprises a sweetener with fewer calories than sucrose. Edible formulation according to claim 11, further comprising aspartame or its salts or metal complexes, acesulfame-K, alitame, trichlorogalactosucrose, cyclamates, saccharin, fructose, neohesperidine, or mixtures thereof. A process for producing bulking agents according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising at least one of tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, pectin, carrageenan and alginates; (b) bringing the dispersion into contact with an effective amount of at least one acid or one oxidizing agent capable of cleaving the gum(s) to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments; (c) permitting the acid or oxidizing agent to degrade the gum(s) to an average DP of 3 to 75, to a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000. The process of claim 13, further comprising the step of recovering the bulking agent by filtration, centrifugation, washing, drying, or a combination thereof. The process of claim 13, further comprising the step of removing undesirable flavor, color and other contaminants from the food gums(s), or the heteropolysaccharide fragments thereof, by filtration, washing, adsorption, destillation, chromatography, or a combination thereof. The process of claim 13, further comprising the step of granulating, spray-drying, freeze-drying or air-drying the dispersion of the heteropolysaccharide fragments. Claims for the following Contracting State : ES A process for producing bulking agents for use in edible formulations, comprising edible, water soluble substantially depolymerized heteropolysaccharide(s) having hexose backbone(s) and an average DP of 3 to 75, the process comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous dispersion comprising at least one of tamarind seed gum, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, pectin, carrageenan and alginates; (b) bringing the dispersion into contact with an effective amount of at least one acid or one oxidizing agent capable of cleaving the gum(s) to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments; (c) permitting the acid or oxidizing agent to degrade the gum(s) to an average DP of 3 to 75, to a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 50,000. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of recovering the bulking agent by filtration, centrifugation, washing, drying, or a combination thereof. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of removing undesirable flavor, color and other contaminants from the food gums(s), or the heteropolysaccharide fragments thereof, by filtration, washing, adsorption, destillation, chromatography, or a combination thereof. The process of claim 1, further comprising the step of granulating, spray-drying, freeze-drying or air-drying the dispersion of the heteropolysaccharide fragments.

Inventors: CHIU CHUNG-WAI, HENLEY MATTHEW J, JEFFCOAT ROGER, ZALLIE JAMES P, CHIU, CHUNG-WAI, HENLEY, MATTHEW J., JEFFCOAT, ROGER, ZALLIE, JAMES P.
Applicants: NAT STARCH CHEM INVEST, NATIONAL STARCH AND CHEMICAL INVESTMENT HOLDING CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A23L1
IPC codes: A23L1, A23L2, A21D2, A23G3, A23G9