The present invention relates to a Lactobacillus spp. selective prebiotic composition comprising one, or a mixture of two or more, of: xylooligosaccharides, cellobiose and/or gentiooligosaccharides. The present invention also relates to a synbiotic composition comprising a probiotic component comprising one or more strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and/or one or more strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and a prebiotic component comprising a growth medium which is specific for the growth of the probiotic component, wherein the prebiotic growth medium comprises one or more, or a mixture of two of more, components selected from: xylooligosaccharides, cellobiose and/or gentiooligosaccharides. The present invention also relates to methods of producing and selecting such compositions.

The present disclosure relates to an article in the form of an edible sheet. The edible sheet of the present disclosure can be processed into a thin form such as a sheet, has excellent adhesiveness to the mucous membrane in the oral cavity, has excellent durability, and is decomposed at an appropriate rate by moisture in the oral cavity, and can be used for various purposes.

The present invention relates to solid compositions comprising a fibrous material of natural origin obtained from plants, wherein the fibrous material comprises micro-scaled and/or nano-scaled fibril agglomerates, and an alditol; a method to obtain such compositions; compositions obtained by this method, products comprising such compositions; and the use of such compositions as formulation aid in such products.

The present invention relates to solid compositions comprising a fibrous material of natural origin obtained from plants, wherein the fibrous material comprises micro-scaled and/or nano-scaled fibril agglomerates, and an alditol; a method to obtain such compositions; compositions obtained by this method, products comprising such compositions; and the use of such compositions as formulation aid in such products.

Provided is a gelling composition capable of keeping a gel state in a food even when the food heated at 75° C. is cooled to around 45° C. at which the food can be eaten in a warm state. Specifically provided is a gelling composition comprising methyl cellulose, a 2.0% by weight aqueous solution of which has a storage modulus G′ (75° C.) at 75° C. of 3,000 to 5,500 Pa, the 2.0% by weight aqueous solution of which has a return temperature storage modulus G′ (75 to 45° C.) of 2,000 to 3,600 Pa when the temperature of the aqueous solution is returned from 75° C. to 45° C., and a 2.0% by weight aqueous solution of which has a viscosity at 20° C. of 3,000 to 10,000 mPa.Math.s; a low temperature gelling agent; and a solvent. A food comprising the gelling composition is also provided.

Methods for producing an activated pectin-containing biomass composition are provided. The method includes (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 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; and (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; wherein during the method the alcohol present in the mixture is at or greater than about 40 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. The method includes (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 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; and (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; wherein during the method the alcohol present in the mixture is at or greater than about 40 weight percent based on the total weight of the mixture. Activated pectin-containing biomass compositions are also provided.

A process for preparing an aqueous solution of a methylcellulose having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups, comprises the step of mixing the methylcellulose with an aqueous liquid at a temperature of not higher than 10° C. at a shear rate of at least 1000 s.sup.−1.

A process for preparing an aqueous solution of a methylcellulose having anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups, comprises the step of mixing the methylcellulose with an aqueous liquid at a temperature of not higher than 10° C. at a shear rate of at least 1000 s.sup.−1.

A composition, such as a dietary composition is disclosed containing one or more capsaicinoids contained within a lipid matrix. In one embodiment, the composition contains a liquid capsaicin in addition to a capsaicin wax. The composition is formulated such that when is ingested does not break down in the stomach but instead releases the capsaicin in the small intestines for various dietary benefits, including appetite suppression.