Process for obtaining citrus fiber from citrus peel

A process for preparing citrus fibers from citrus spent peel, the process comprising:

• mixing citrus spent peel with a hydrocolloid processing aid selected from the group consisting of alginate, locust bean gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, and combinations thereof, to obtain homogenized citrus spent peel wherein power input for effecting homogenization treatment is at least 1000 kW per cm3 of citrus fiber;
• washing the homogenized citrus spent peel with an organic solvent at a solids-to-solvent ratio of at least about 0.25:1 to obtain organic solvent washed citrus spent peel;
• comminuting or pulverizing the organic solvent washed citrus spent peel;
• desolventizing and drying the comminuted or pulverized citrus spent peel;
• comminuting or pulverizing the desolventized and dried citrus spent peel;
• and
• recovering citrus fiber from the comminuted or pulverized, desolventized, and dried citrus spent peel, wherein the citrus fiber has a c* close packing concentration value of less than 3.8 wt %.