Bulking agents and processes for preparing them from food gums

Abstract

Soluble bulking agents for replacing up to 100% of the sucrose or other soluble, simple carbohydrates in edible formulations are provided. The bulking agents are substantially non-digestible and have an average molecular weight range of 500 to 50,000. Also provided are edible formulations containing these bulking agents and processes for preparing these bulking agents, preferably by enzymatically depolymerizing naturally-occurring, heteropolysaccha-rides such as pectin, guar gum, locust bean (carob seed) gum, konjac gum, xanthan gum, alginates, agar or other food gums to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments having an average DP of 3 to 75, preferably 3 to 30. The process employs one or more enzymes such as 1,4-beta-D-Mannanmannohydrolyase, or 1,6-alpha-D-Galactosidase for degrading 1,4-beta-D-linked mannose-containing heteropolysaccharides (e.g., guar gum); or one or more enzymes such as 1,4-beta-D-Glucanase, 1,4-beta-D-Glucanglucanohydrolase, and 1,4-beta-D-Glucanglucohydrolyase or 1,4-beta-D-glucan cellobiohydrolase for degrading 1,4-beta-D-linked glucose-containing heteropolysaccharides.

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