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.

The present disclosure discloses a method for preparing a citrus-derived complex prebiotic agent. The method comprises the following steps: removing external citrus peels after blanching citrus fruits with hot water, soaking citrus segments after splitting with an acid solution and an alkali solution to remove membranes of the citrus segments, and adjusting the pH of the obtained alkali soaking water with acid soaking water or acid to be weakly acidic or neutral to obtain the complex prebiotic agent, which has the function of reversing intestinal flora disorders. Compared with the traditional prebiotic product preparing method, the product prepared by the method contains prebiotic functional components with different targets such as pectin, flavonoids, oligosaccharides, and other fibers at the same time, and has the efficacies of regulating intestinal flora and reversing intestinal flora disorders caused by antibiotics. At the same time, the preparing method has the characteristics of simple operation and low cost, perfectly supplements a comprehensive utilization process of citrus fruit processing, solves the discharge problem of citrus fruit processing water, and generates very good social benefits.

Methods for producing an activated pectin-containing biomass composition are provided. The method includes (A) mixing a starting pectin-containing biomass material having 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 having 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.

The present disclosure discloses a method for preparing a citrus-derived complex prebiotic agent. The method comprises the following steps: removing external citrus peels after blanching citrus fruits with hot water, soaking citrus segments after splitting with an acid solution and an alkali solution to remove membranes of the citrus segments, and adjusting the pH of the obtained alkali soaking water with acid soaking water or acid to be weakly acidic or neutral to obtain the complex prebiotic agent, which has the function of reversing intestinal flora disorders. Compared with the traditional prebiotic product preparing method, the product prepared by the method contains prebiotic functional components with different targets such as pectin, flavonoids, oligosaccharides, and other fibers at the same time, and has the efficacies of regulating intestinal flora and reversing intestinal flora disorders caused by antibiotics. At the same time, the preparing method has the characteristics of simple operation and low cost, perfectly supplements a comprehensive utilization process of citrus fruit processing, solves the discharge problem of citrus fruit processing water, and generates very good social benefits.

The invention relates to citrus fibers in dry form having a storage modulus (G) of at least 50 Pa, said G being measured on an aqueous medium containing an amount of 2 wt % citrus fibers dispersed therein under a low-shear stirring of less than 10000 rpm.

The invention relates to citrus fibers in dry form having a storage modulus (G)of at least 50 Pa, said G being measured on an aqueous medium containing an amount of 2 wt % citrus fibers dispersed therein under a low-shear stirring of less than 1000 rpm.

The present invention is direct to an co-fruit pulp based edible composition in winch an agricultural fruit byproduct base material, in conjunction with a hydrocolloid, is treated with pressure and/or heat to form an edible composition that is dimen-mortally stable, ambient stable for at least 9 months, has a moisture content greater than 50 wt. %, has a pH less than 4.5, has a water activity greater than 0.5, is commercially sterile, is free of artificial flavors and/or artificial colors, has a solids content greater than 10 wt. %, and does not exhibit syneresis or exhibits syneresis. Alternatively, the base material contains an edible fruit and/or vegetable and/or nut byproduct alone or in combination with the co-fruit pulp. Also provided is a method for preparation of the edible composition.

The invention relates to citrus fibers in dry form having a storage modulus (G) of at least 50 Pa, said G being measured on an aqueous medium containing an amount of 2 wt % citrus fibers dispersed therein under a low-shear stirring of less than 10000 rpm.

A beer-taste beverage, containing a carbon dioxide-extracting product of a plant raw material containing fruit peels of a citrus plant. The present invention provides a beer-taste beverage which is capable of favorably providing an aroma component of a citrus plant and a method for producing the same, which can provide a new taste as luxury products.

In accordance with aspects of the present invention, provided is an apple peel sweetener that can be used as an ingredient or condiment for food and beverages. The combination of dried apple peel powder and dried apple flesh or other sweetener can serve as a substitute for sugar or artificial sweeteners, as examples. The apple sweetener can provide improved health benefits, including a lower glycemic index when compared to other sweeteners.