Extraction of unmilled psyllium
AssigneeThe Procter & Gamble Company
InventorsPaul Alfred Cimiluca, John Philip Hecht, Theresa Marie Kajs, Graham John Myatt, Jason Allen Stamper, Michael Anthony Staun
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Abstract
Methods of fractionating unmilled psyllium seed husk to obtain a compressible, gel-forming polysaccharide with a reduced gelation rate and improved swell volume. The gel-forming fraction isolated by the present invention is useful for administration to humans to normalize bowel function, reduce human serum cholesterol levels, and regulate blood glucose levels. The gel-forming polysaccharide also exhibits reduced allergenicity as compared to psyllium seed husk.
Claims40
A method of fractionating psyllium seed husks to obtain a gel-forming polysaccharide comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing raw, unmilled psyllium seed husks in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising from about 0.1M to about 1.0M hydroxyl ions, thereby fractionating the husks into a mixture comprising an alkali insoluble fraction and an alkali soluble gel fraction;
- b) disinfecting the alkali soluble and alkali insoluble fractions;
- c) removing the alkali insoluble fraction;
- and
- d) acidifying the alkaline solution, yielding the gel-forming polysaccharide.
A method of fractionating psyllium seed husks to obtain a compressible gel-forming polysaccharide comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing raw, unmilled psyllium seed husks in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising from about 0.1M to about 1.0M hydroxyl ions, thereby fractionating the husks into a mixture of an alkali insoluble fraction and an alkali soluble gel fraction;
- b) disinfecting the mixture;
- c) removing the alkali insoluble fraction;
- d) acidifying the alkaline solution to a pH of about 3 to about 6 to yield the gel-forming polysaccharide;
- e) dewatering the gel-forming polysaccharide;
- f) extruding the gel forming polysaccharide into discrete particles;
- and
- g) fluidized bed drying the gel-forming polysaccharide.
A gel-forming polysaccharide produced by the method of claim 21.
A method of fractionating psyllium seed husks to obtain a gel-forming polysaccharide comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing raw, umnilled psyllium seed husks in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising from about 0.1M to about 1.0M hydroxyl ions, thereby fractionating the husks into a mixture comprising an alkali insoluble fraction and an alkali soluble gel fraction;
- b) disinfecting the mixture;
- c) removing the alkali insoluble fraction;
- d) acidifying the alkaline solution to yield the gel-forming polysaccharide;
- and
- e) separating the gel-forming polysaccharide from the acid solution.
A method of fractionating psyllium seed husks to obtain a gel-forming polysaccharide comprising the steps of:
- a) mixing sanitized, unmilled psyllium seed husks in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising from about 0.1M to about 1.0M hydroxyl ions, thereby fractionating the husks into a mixture comprising an alkali insoluble fraction and an alkali soluble gel fraction;
- b) removing the alkali insoluble fraction;
- and
- c) acidifying the alkaline solution to yield the gel-forming polysaccharide.
- f) separating the gel-forming polysaccharide from the acid solution.
A method of drying a gel-forming polysaccharide obtained from fractionation of psyllium seed husk, comprising the steps of:
- a) extruding the gel forming polysaccharide into discrete particles;
- and
- b) fluidized bed drying the gel forming polysaccharide.
- wherein the dried gel-forming polysaccharide is compressible.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.