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US 6,676,979 B2Granted
Unfermented gel fraction from psyllium seed husks
AssigneeWisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
InventorsJudith A. Marlett, Milton H. Fischer
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Abstract
A purified form of a gel-forming component of psyllium seed husks is disclosed, along with a process for obtaining the gel-forming fraction from psyllium seed husks. Methods of using this gel-forming fraction as a laxative and hypocholesterolemic agent are also disclosed.
Claims8
A method of fractionating psyllium seed husks to obtain a gel fraction and an additional carbohydrate fraction, the method comprising:
- (a) mixing the husks in an aqueous alkaline solution comprising a base, wherein if the base comprises hydroxyl ions, the hydroxyl ions are present at a concentration of between about 0.15 and 1.0 M, thereby fractioning the husks into an alkali-soluble fraction and an alkali-insoluble fraction;
- (b) removing the alkali-insoluble fraction;
- (c) acidifying the alkali-soluble fraction to a pH of between about 3 and 6, thereby obtaining a an acid-insoluble gel fraction, and an acid-soluble fraction comprising the additional carbohydrate;
- and
- (d) separating the gel fraction from the solution containing the additional carbohydrate fraction.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.