Disclosed is a method for texturing food and/or nutraceutical products of the “sponge cake” or “solid foam” type including at least: (a). A transformation by controlled grinding of a preparation of at least one food, able to preserve the desired organoleptic properties, able to obtain a ground material, (b). Addition of a molecule with an inactive structure to the ground material to obtain a mixture, (c). Pressurization of the mixture obtained in step (b) by the incorporation of dissolved gas into the mixture, (d). Mechanical expansion obtained by reducing the pressure of the mixture obtained in step (b), (e). Activation of the structure molecule, wherein the mechanical expansion is achieved by reducing the pressure by at least 6 bar, preferably between 6 and 20 bar, preferably between 10 and 18 bar.

Disclosed is a method for texturing food and/or nutraceutical products of the “sponge cake” or “solid foam” type including at least: (a). A transformation by controlled grinding of a preparation of at least one food, able to preserve the desired organoleptic properties, able to obtain a ground material, (b). Addition of a molecule with an inactive structure to the ground material to obtain a mixture, (c). Pressurization of the mixture obtained in step (b) by the incorporation of dissolved gas into the mixture, (d). Mechanical expansion obtained by reducing the pressure of the mixture obtained in step (b), (e). Activation of the structure molecule, wherein the mechanical expansion is achieved by reducing the pressure by at least 6 bar, preferably between 6 and 20 bar, preferably between 10 and 18 bar.

Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

The present invention relates to edible products, suitable for use as confectionery and having therapeutic uses. We describe a composition for the preparation of an edible product, the composition comprising 0.2 wt. % to 3 wt. % of at least one polysaccharide gelling agent, the balance being water. In preferred composition, the at least one polysaccharide is at least one of agar, pectin, locust bean gum, gellan gum and carrageenan. The compositions preferably comprise 0.5 wt. % to 2.00 wt. % agar and 0.05 to 1.0 wt. % of a galactomannan polysaccharide; the balance being water; preferably wherein the galactomannan polysaccharide is present in an amount of from 10% to 40% the amount of agar.

The present invention relates to edible products, suitable for use as confectionery and having therapeutic uses. We describe a composition for the preparation of an edible product, the composition comprising 0.2 wt. % to 3 wt. % of at least one polysaccharide gelling agent, the balance being water. In preferred composition, the at least one polysaccharide is at least one of agar, pectin, locust bean gum, gellan gum and carrageenan. The compositions preferably comprise 0.5 wt. % to 2.00 wt. % agar and 0.05 to 1.0 wt. % of a galactomannan polysaccharide; the balance being water; preferably wherein the galactomannan polysaccharide is present in an amount of from 10% to 40% the amount of agar.

The present invention is direct to an edible composition in which fruit, vegetables and/or nuts, in conjunction with a hydrocolloid, are treated with pressure and/or heat to form an edible composition that is dimensionally stable, ambient stable for at least 12 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, has a solids content greater than 10 wt. %, and does not exhibit syneresis. Also provided is a method for preparation of the edible composition.

The present invention is direct to an co-fruit pulp based edible composition in which 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 dimensionally 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.

A thickener is disclosed, as well as a nutritional product including the thickener, uses thereof, methods for the manufacture thereof, methods for improving the cohesiveness of a nutritional product, and related systems. The nutritional products have improved cohesiveness for promoting safer and more efficient swallowing of food boluses for individuals having swallowing difficulties such as dysphagia. In a preferred embodiment, the nutritional product includes a thickener comprising a beta-glucan and an additive. Preferably, the nutritional product has a relaxation time, determined by a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometry (CaBER) experiment, of from 10 ms to 2000 ms at a temperature of 20° C.

The present invention is directed to compositions comprising inter alia, protein, Fabaceae flour and polysaccharide and use thereof, such as egg substitute compositions.