A method of producing microparticles by spray drying comprises the steps of providing a spray-drying feedstock solution comprising water, a volatile divalent metal salt, weak acid, 5-15% dairy or vegetable protein (w/v) and 1-20% active agent (w/v). The feedstock solution is adjusted to have a pH at which the volatile divalent metal salt is substantially insoluble. The feedstock solution is then spray-dried at an elevated temperature to provide atomised droplets, whereby the volatile divalent metal salt disassociates at the elevated temperature to release divalent metal ions which crosslink and aggregate the protein in the atomised droplets to produce microparticles having a crosslinked aggregated protein matrix and active agent dispersed throughout the matrix.

The invention relates to separated, decompacted, cellulose-based fibres acquired from a vegetable raw material, wherein the separated, decompacted, cellulose-based fibres have an aspect ratio after soaking in water of longitudinal diameter to transverse diameter of 1:1 to 1000:1 and a water-binding capacity of >200 wt. % and a water retention capacity of >50%, and a method for acquiring and producing these separated, decompacted cellulose-based fibres. The purification method involves incubation of the vegetable material with an aqueous decomposition solution containing at least one dissolved amino acid and/or peptide with 2-50 amino acids to decompose the compacted cellulose-based fibres.

The invention relates to separated, decompacted, cellulose-based fibres acquired from a vegetable raw material, wherein the separated, decompacted, cellulose-based fibres have an aspect ratio after soaking in water of longitudinal diameter to transverse diameter of 1:1 to 1000:1 and a water-binding capacity of >200 wt. % and a water retention capacity of >50%, and a method for acquiring and producing these separated, decompacted cellulose-based fibres. The purification method involves incubation of the vegetable material with an aqueous decomposition solution containing at least one dissolved amino acid and/or peptide with 2-50 amino acids to decompose the compacted cellulose-based fibres.

Spirulina infused gummies containing micronutrients for consumption by a person to deliver beneficial and necessary nutrients to the person and a method of preparing spirulina infused gummies to eliminate the bad odor and taste normally associated with spirulina. The gummies have pectin, water, citric acid, sugar and/or glucose and spirulina. Preservatives and flavor additives can also be included. The method of making the gummies includes heating a mixture of citric acid and water, adding pectin and sugar to the mixture and then stirring, adding hot glucose to the mixture, stirring the mixture and allowing the mixture to cool, adding spirulina to the mixture followed by continuous stirring, adding additional citric acid to the mixture, stirring until jellification begins, pouring the mixture into molds and removing the mixture from the molds when cool. Preferably, a preservative and a flavor additive are added to the mixture prior to the additional citric acid.

Low cariogenic and low-laxation chewy confections comprising a non-cariogenic sweetener comprising erythritol and a doctoring agent comprising at least one of sucromalt, linear inulin, branched inulin, brown rice syrup, indigestible dextrin, polydextrose, isomaltooligosaccharide, and soluble corn fiber are provided. Methods for preparing low cariogenic and low-laxation chewy confections are also provided.

Low cariogenic and low-laxation chewy confections comprising a non-cariogenic sweetener comprising erythritol and a doctoring agent comprising at least one of sucromalt, linear inulin, branched inulin, brown rice syrup, indigestible dextrin, polydextrose, isomaltooligosaccharide, and soluble corn fiber are provided. Methods for preparing low cariogenic and low-laxation chewy confections are also provided.

Disclosed herein is one or more food compositions comprising at least one edible ingredient and a texturizing agent comprising an inhibited starch and a non-granular, enzymatically-debranched waxy potato starch. Also disclosed herein is a process for making said food compositions, the method comprising adding a texturizing agent comprising an inhibited starch and a non-granular, enzymatically-debranched waxy potato starch to the composition, wherein an effective amount of the texturizing agent is added to thicken the food composition. The texturizing agent can be used to replace protein and/or fat in said one or more food compositions.

Disclosed herein is one or more food compositions comprising at least one edible ingredient and a texturizing agent comprising an inhibited starch and a non-granular, enzymatically-debranched waxy potato starch. Also disclosed herein is a process for making said food compositions, the method comprising adding a texturizing agent comprising an inhibited starch and a non-granular, enzymatically-debranched waxy potato starch to the composition, wherein an effective amount of the texturizing agent is added to thicken the food composition. The texturizing agent can be used to replace protein and/or fat in said one or more food compositions.

The present invention provides a food composition that makes it possible to effectively conduct mastication and swallowing training. The food composition contains a starch, a gelling agent, a paste, and water, the amount of the water contained in the composition being 65 wt % or more and less than 90 wt %, the total amount of the starch, the gelling agent, the paste, and the water being 85 to 100 wt %, the composition having a fracture stress of 20,000 to 70,000 N/m.sup.2.

The present invention provides a food composition that makes it possible to effectively conduct mastication and swallowing training. The food composition contains a starch, a gelling agent, a paste, and water, the amount of the water contained in the composition being 65 wt % or more and less than 90 wt %, the total amount of the starch, the gelling agent, the paste, and the water being 85 to 100 wt %, the composition having a fracture stress of 20,000 to 70,000 N/m.sup.2.