Abstract:
Reversible swellable modified starch products are provided in the form of individual, chemically cross-linked starch granules capable of undergoing multiple hot or cold water swelling/drying cycles without losing the individuality of the starch granules, and with essentially no loss of starch solubles. The starches are prepared by forming a dispersion of starch granules in water, with the granules undergoing swelling and having a crystalline phase; a cross-linker (preferably a phosphorylating agent) is added to the dispersion in order to cross-link the starch under conditions to avoid complete gelatinization thereof. The swollen/cross-linked starch granules are then heated in excess water in order to melt the crystalline phase of the granules. The granules exhibit a network-like structure with internal voids.
Abstract:
Chemically modified RS.sub.4 starches are provided which have a high degree of resistance to .alpha.-amylase digestion and can serve as low calorie food additives in products such as breads or crackers as a source of dietary fiber. The starches of the invention can be prepared from any type of starting starch (e.g., wheat, corn, oat, rice, tapioca, mung bean, potato or high amylose starches) and are preferably formed as phosphorylated distarch phosphodiesters. The preferred phosphorylating agent is a mixture of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in the presence of sodium chloride or sulfate. The starches are advantageously prepared in an aqueous slurry reaction at basic pH and moderate heating.
Abstract:
A new stable derivative of ascorbic acid, ascorbate 2-polyphosphate, is disclosed, together with a high-yield method of synthesis thereof. The method preferably includes steps of reacting an ascorbic acid such as L-ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof such as 5,6-O-isopropylidene-L-ascorbic acid with salts of metaphosphoric acid in an aqueous system and in the presence of sufficient base to maintain the pH of the reaction mixture at a level of at least above 9 to obtain 2-polyphosphorylation of the ascorbic acid. In particularly preferred forms, 1 M L-ascorbic acid is reacted in water with 1.5-3 equivalent of sodium or potassium trimetaphosphate at a temperature of 25.degree.-55.degree. C., and an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide is intermittently added to the reaction mixture as needed over a 1-10 hr. reaction period to maintain the pH thereof at a level of about 10.5-12 during the entire reaction. After neutralization the reaction mixture contains no noxious or toxic materials, and the entire mixture may be added to food or feed. Pure salts of ascorbate 2-triphosphate can be isolated readily using conventional chromatographic techniques. It has also been found that the compounds of the invention are more difficult to oxidize, and release ascorbic acid and are more slowly hydrolyzed than the monophosphate derivative of ascorbic acid.
Abstract:
Starch-based biodegradable packaging fillers are provided which have high volumes, low weights, and excellent compressibility and resiliency properties. The products of the invention are fabricated by extrusion of a starch substrate, most preferably normal wheat starch, in the presence of minor amounts of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof and/or a particulate bubble-nucleating agent. Effective biodegradable packaging fillers can thus be fabricated without the use of expensive modified starch substrates; however, such substrates can also be employed if desired, and the additives of the invention improve these products as well. In preferred production procedures, the additives are mixed with the starch substrate, and the mixture is preconditioned and then extruded through a twin screw extruder.
Abstract:
Starch-based biodegradable packaging fillers are provided which have high volumes, low weights, and excellent compressibility and resiliency properties. The products of the invention are fabricted by extrusion of a starch substrate, most preferably normal wheat starch, in the presence of minor amounts of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof and/or a particulate bubble-nucleating agent. Effective biodegradable packaging fillers can thus be fabricated without the use of expensive modified starch substrates; however, such substrates can also be employed if desired, and the additives of the invention improve these products as well. In preferred production procedures, the additives are mixed with the starch substrate, and the mixture is preconditioned and then extruded through a twin screw extruder.
Abstract:
A process for the preparation of granular cold water swelling/soluble starches by alcoholic-alkali treatments is disclosed which comprises contacting a quantity of starch granules with respective quantities of an alcohol and a strong base to swell the granules and convert the starch to form having increased cold water solubility. The process can be used on waxy, high amylose, tuber, and normal starches. The resulting cold water swelling/soluble starch preferably exhibits about 50% to 94% solubility in cold water.
Abstract:
A process of inhibiting enzymatic browning in raw fruit and vegetable juices comprising treating the juices with cyclodextrins, individually or in combination. Soluble cyclodextrins treatments may be added directly to the juices. In the alternative, isoluble cyclodextrins may be used as a packing in a column or in a batch treatment process. In effect, treatments of the invention tend to limit the extent or rate of enzymatic browning in the affected juices. Also disclosed are novel browning inhibiting compositions which are effective in controlling enzymatic browning in raw fruit and vegetable juices. The novel compositions are potential alternatives for presently used sulfites.
Abstract:
Salts of ascorbic acid 6-acylates (both the D-isoascorbic and L-ascorbic isomers) are provided which have significant utility as multi-functional, easily dispersible additives for yeast-leavened doughs or batters and serve as biologically active sources of vitamin C even when added to the dough or batter during preparation thereof and subjected to baking or frying temperatures. The additives hereof are also functional as dough conditioners, anti-staling agents, and shortening sparing agents, and also serve to maintain or even enhance loaf volume in resultant breads and the like and permit incorporation of protein supplements such as soy flour into such products without deleteriously affecting desirable organoleptic properties thereof. The 6-O-acyl ascorbate salts of the invention are compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein M and Q are different and respectively taken fom the group consisting of --H and --OH, R represents an aliphatic group having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, inclusive, and X is a salt-forming member selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. A method of synthesizing the above acyl ester salts is also provided which includes the step of reacting the free acid form of the ester with a stoichiometric quantity of a base taken from the group consisting of the sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium compounds of (1) an acid that is a weaker acid than the ester, and (2) an acid which can be removed from the reaction mixture by volatilization. The reaction is carried out in a compatible solvent which dissolves the ester and the reacting base or salt and does not hinder the desired reaction.
Abstract:
Starch-based biodegradable packaging fillers are provided which have high volumes, low weights, and excellent compressibility and resiliency properties. The products of the invention are fabricated by extrusion of a starch substrate, most preferably normal wheat starch, in the presence of minor amounts of a polyalkylene glycol or derivative thereof and/or a particulate bubble-nucleating agent. Effective biodegradable packaging fillers can thus be fabricated without the use of expensive modified starch substrates; however, such substrates can also be employed if desired, and the additives of the invention improve these products as well. In preferred production procedures, the additives are mixed with the starch substrate, and the mixture is preconditioned and then extruded through a twin screw extruder.
Abstract:
A catalyzed synthesis of ascorbate 2-phosphorylated compounds is provided which gives both mono-and polyphosphorylated species in excellent yield using inexpensive, readily available reactants. The method involves forming a reaction mixture of an ascorbic acid reactant such as L-ascorbic acid and a metaphosphate phosphorylating agent (e.g., sodium trimetaphosphate), and carrying out the phosphorylation reaction in the presence of a catalyzing ion selected from the group consisiting of calcium, strontium and barium ion and mixtures thereof, while maintaining the pH of the reaction mixture at a level of from about 3-12. The synthesis is characterized by very short reaction times, preferably from about 15 minutes-2 hours, and moderate temperatures on the order of 18.degree. C.-25.degree. C. Preferably, the catalyzing ion is provided by addition of calcium, strontium or barium hydroxide to the reaction mixture, this serving to also elevate the pH of the system to the desired range.