A dietary composition comprising (i) from about 40% to about 80% (w/w) of a fiber composition comprising glucomannan, xanthan gum, and alginate; and (ii) from about 10% to about 60% (w/w) psyllium is provided, along with a method and a food product for promoting satiety, promoting weight loss, lowering blood cholesterol levels or lowering blood glucose levels in a mammal.

A dietary composition comprising (i) from about 40% to about 80% (w/w) of a fiber composition comprising glucomannan, xanthan gum, and alginate; and (ii) from about 10% to about 60% (w/w) psyllium is provided, along with a method and a food product for promoting satiety, promoting weight loss, lowering blood cholesterol levels or lowering blood glucose levels in a mammal.

Legume plant-based proteins, especially pea protein, are used as a primary source for twin-screw extrusion to manufacture an intermediate moisture, texturized protein piece that can be further processed by controlled hydration and coated with a batter, breading, or coating to produce a comestible product. Protein is the predominate ingredient (70-95%) in the extruded piece. In the preferred embodiment, the protein is pea powder and flavor is provided by addition of yeast extract to impart beef, chicken, or pork flavor. Additional components in the form of hydrophilic polymers and alkalai are also added prior to extrusion to insure desired texture and handling properties. The hydrophilic polymers impart functional properties such as water-binding, thereby aiding in foaming, emulsifying, texturizing, and gelation, important to manufacturing an intermediate moisture texturized plant-protein product by extrusion.

Legume plant-based proteins, especially pea protein, are used as a primary source for twin-screw extrusion to manufacture an intermediate moisture, texturized protein piece that can be further processed by controlled hydration and coated with a batter, breading, or coating to produce a comestible product. Protein is the predominate ingredient (70-95%) in the extruded piece. In the preferred embodiment, the protein is pea powder and flavor is provided by addition of yeast extract to impart beef, chicken, or pork flavor. Additional components in the form of hydrophilic polymers and alkalai are also added prior to extrusion to insure desired texture and handling properties. The hydrophilic polymers impart functional properties such as water-binding, thereby aiding in foaming, emulsifying, texturizing, and gelation, important to manufacturing an intermediate moisture texturized plant-protein product by extrusion.

Methods for producing an activated pectin-containing biomass composition are provided. These methods include A) mixing a starting pectin-containing biomass material comprising an insoluble fiber component and an insoluble protopectin component with an aqueous solution of an alcohol to form a mixture; B) activating the starting pectin-containing biomass material to form an activated pectin-containing biomass material comprising the insoluble fiber component and a soluble pectin component by subjecting the starting pectin-containing biomass material to (i) an activating solution formed by adding hydrochloric acid and/or sulfuric acid to the mixture to adjust the pH of the mixture within the range from at or about 0.5 to at or about 2.5 and (ii) heat to a temperature greater than at or about 40 degrees Celsius; C) applying mechanical energy either (i) to the mixture of step A), (ii) during the activating of step B), or (iii) to the mixture of step A) and during the activating of step B); and (D) separating the activated pectin-containing biomass material from the mixture. Alcohol is generally present in the mixture at an amount of greater than about 35 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture. Activated pectin-containing biomass compositions are also provided.

Methods for producing an activated pectin-containing biomass composition are provided. These methods include A) mixing a starting pectin-containing biomass material comprising an insoluble fiber component and an insoluble protopectin component with an aqueous solution of an alcohol to form a mixture; B) activating the starting pectin-containing biomass material to form an activated pectin-containing biomass material comprising the insoluble fiber component and a soluble pectin component by subjecting the starting pectin-containing biomass material to (i) an activating solution formed by adding hydrochloric acid and/or sulfuric acid to the mixture to adjust the pH of the mixture within the range from at or about 0.5 to at or about 2.5 and (ii) heat to a temperature greater than at or about 40 degrees Celsius; C) applying mechanical energy either (i) to the mixture of step A), (ii) during the activating of step B), or (iii) to the mixture of step A) and during the activating of step B); and (D) separating the activated pectin-containing biomass material from the mixture. Alcohol is generally present in the mixture at an amount of greater than about 35 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture. Activated pectin-containing biomass compositions are also provided.

The present invention concerns an edible ingredient providing a short chain fatty acid ratio in the gut such that acetate is n a ratio ranging from 70 to 80, propionate is in a ratio ranging from 2 to 8, butyrate is in a ratio ranging from 20 to 25 and wherein the sum of individual ratios for acetate, propionate and butyrate equals 100 to food compositions comprising such edible ingredient for use in the attenuation of stress response and/or prevention of chronic stress and of conditions thereby associated.

The present invention concerns an edible ingredient providing a short chain fatty acid ratio in the gut such that acetate is n a ratio ranging from 70 to 80, propionate is in a ratio ranging from 2 to 8, butyrate is in a ratio ranging from 20 to 25 and wherein the sum of individual ratios for acetate, propionate and butyrate equals 100 to food compositions comprising such edible ingredient for use in the attenuation of stress response and/or prevention of chronic stress and of conditions thereby associated.

It is disclosed a food mixture, in particular a food mixture comprising hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and soluble fibres. In particular, the present invention relates to a food mixture comprising: —a fraction (a) which comprises soluble fibres; —a powdered fraction (b) which comprises at least 100 mg/kg hydroxytyrosol and at least 250 mg/kg oleuropein where said amounts refer to said powdered fraction (b). Said food mixture finds application, moreover, in the preparation of bread, pasta, and baked goods in general. The invention also describes food products which contain this mixture, a process for the preparation thereof, as well as the uses thereof in human and animal nutrition, in the treatment and in the prevention of inflammatory conditions and in the reduction of postprandial glycaemia.

It is disclosed a food mixture, in particular a food mixture comprising hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, and soluble fibres. In particular, the present invention relates to a food mixture comprising: —a fraction (a) which comprises soluble fibres; —a powdered fraction (b) which comprises at least 100 mg/kg hydroxytyrosol and at least 250 mg/kg oleuropein where said amounts refer to said powdered fraction (b). Said food mixture finds application, moreover, in the preparation of bread, pasta, and baked goods in general. The invention also describes food products which contain this mixture, a process for the preparation thereof, as well as the uses thereof in human and animal nutrition, in the treatment and in the prevention of inflammatory conditions and in the reduction of postprandial glycaemia.