Extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, related compositions such as concentrates and powders, and methods of making and using the okra mucilage

Abstract

New and innovative compositions contain extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, and methods are disclosed for producing the compositions. At least a portion of the composition can be used in a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage or as a powder, and can be used to treat individuals with dysphagia. An example method includes at least one step selected from the group consisting of: blanching fresh or frozen whole okra pods; cutting okra into pieces; submerging the okra pieces in water; separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate from the okra pieces by filtration; adding an excipient material; homogenizing a mixture containing the okra mucilage liquid concentrate; heat treating or sterilizing the mixture; and adjusting an okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized mixture to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C.

Description

TITLEEXTRACTED CONCENTRATED MUCILAGE FROM OKRA, RELATED COMPOSITIONS SUCH AS CONCENTRATES AND POWDERS, AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE OKRA MUCILAGETECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to an extracted concentrated mucilage from okra and methods of making an extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. In some embodiments, the okra mucilage is used for treating dysphagia, promoting safe swallowing of a composition by an individual with dysphagia, or making a ready to drink (RTD) beverage. In some embodiments, a specific device is used to make the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra.

[0002] Additionally to the okra, optionally the thickener may comprise a plant-extracted gum selected from the group consisting of beta-glucan, konjac mannan, tara gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, fenugreek gum, tamarind gum, cassia gum, acacia gum, gum ghatti, pectins, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, and combinations thereof; and / or a plant-derived mucilages selected from the group consisting of cactus mucilage, psyllium mucilage, mallow mucilage, flax seed mucilage, marshmallow mucilage, ribwort mucilage, mullein mucilage, cetraria mucilage, and combinations thereof.BACKGROUND

[0003] Dysphagia is a medical term for the symptom of difficulty in chewing and / or swallowing. Dysphagia may be a sensation that suggests a difficulty in a passage of a solid or a liquid (i.e., a nutritional product) from the mouth to the stomach.

[0004] During the processing of a food product in the mouth and during swallowing, the viscosity of the food product changes due to shear forces. In most cases, the viscosity of the food product decreases when the shear forces and the shear rate acting on the food product (e.g., chewing or swallowing forces) increase. Individuals who suffer from dysphagia often require a thickened food product. Thickening of the food product is achieved to increase, in particular, the shear viscosity of the product by adding a thickener such as a starch or gum thickener. Thethickened food product makes an individual with dysphagia less likely to aspirate during passage of the food products from the mouth to the stomach.

[0005] Individuals with dysphagia may find that food products cause coughing, spluttering or even choking, and therefore thickened food products enable the individuals who suffer from dysphagia to swallow safely. The addition of a thickener is thought to improve bolus control and timing of swallowing, but the resultant thickness is disliked by individuals who suffer from dysphagia due to the extra swallowing effort required. Moreover, the thickener leaves residues with high levels of viscosity, resulting in undesirable organoleptic properties. These undesirable organoleptic properties are particularly relevant for liquids and beverages, as a dysphagia patient would expect a liquid that still has the organoleptic properties of a real thin liquid instead of a liquid product showing high viscosity. Furthermore, thickened food products wherein merely shear viscosity is increased usually lack the cohesiveness that saliva typically provides to food boluses.

[0006] Although mucilage from organic plants such as okra can be used as cohesiveness enhancer and thickener to allow for improved swallowing of food products in individuals with dysphagia, there is a desire and need for an effective preparation of the mucilage. In particular, cohesive properties of okra mucilage are often destroyed during conventional preparation processes, hindering the effectiveness of okra mucilage in treating patients with swallowing disorders such as dysphagia. There is thus a desire and need for an effective processing method, and a composition thus formed, for okra mucilage that has the desired rheological properties and a stable shelf life for use in treating patients with dysphagia. Current thickeners typically exhibit shear viscosity, but little to no cohesiveness, as expressed by an extensional relaxation time of typically less than 10ms.

[0007] Dysphagia is classified into three major types: oropharyngeal dysphagia, esophageal dysphagia and functional dysphagia.

[0008] Oropharyngeal dysphagia is generally not treatable with medication. Oropharyngeal dysphagia affects individuals of all ages but is more prevalent in older individuals. Worldwide, oropharyngeal dysphagia affects approximately 22 million people over the age of 50 years. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is often a consequence of an acute event such as a stroke, brain injury, or surgery for oral or throat cancer. In addition, radiotherapy and chemotherapy may weaken the muscles and degrade the nerves associated with the physiology and nervous innervation of the swallow reflex. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is also common for individuals with progressiveneuromuscular diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, to experience increasing difficulty in swallowing initiation. Representative causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia include those associated neurological illnesses (brainstem tumors, head trauma, stroke, cerebral palsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, polio, post-polio syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia, metabolic encephalopathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia), infectious illnesses (diphtheria, botulism, Lyme disease, syphilis, mucositis [herpetic, cytomegalovirus, Candida, etc.]), autoimmune illnesses (lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome), metabolic illnesses (amyloidosis, Cushing's syndrome, thyrotoxicosis, Wilson's disease), myopathic illnesses (connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis, myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy, oculopharyngeal dystrophy, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, paraneoplastic syndromes, inflammatory myopathy), iatrogenic illnesses (medication side effects [e.g., chemotherapy, neuroleptics, etc.], post-surgical muscular or neurogenic, radiation therapy, corrosive [pill injury, intentional]), and structural illnesses (cricopharyngeal bar, Zenker's diverticulum, cervical webs, oropharyngeal tumors, osteophytes and skeletal abnormalities, congenital [cleft palate, diverticulae, pouches, etc.]).

[0009] Esophageal dysphagia can affect individuals of all ages. Esophageal dysphagia is generally treatable with medications and is considered a less serious form of dysphagia. Esophageal dysphagia is often a consequence of mucosal, mediastinal, or neuromuscular diseases. Mucosal (intrinsic) diseases narrow the lumen through inflammation, fibrosis, or neoplasia associated with various conditions (e.g., peptic stricture secondary to gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal rings and webs [e.g., sideropenic dysphagia or Plummer-Vinson syndrome], esophageal tumors, chemical injury [e.g., caustic ingestion, pill esophagitis, sclerotherapy for varices], radiation injury, infectious esophagitis, and eosinophilic esophagitis). Mediastinal (extrinsic) diseases obstruct the esophagus by direct invasion or through lymph node enlargement associated with various conditions (tumors [e.g., lung cancer, lymphoma], infections [e.g., tuberculosis, histoplasmosis], and cardiovascular [dilated auricula and vascular compression]). Neuromuscular diseases may affect the esophageal smooth muscle and its innervation, disrupting peristalsis or lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, or both, commonly associated with various conditions (achalasia [both idiopathic and associated with Chagas disease], scleroderma, other motility disorders, and a consequence of surgery [i.e., after fundoplication and anti -refluxinterventions]). Individuals with intraluminal foreign bodies commonly experience acute esophageal dysphagia.

[0010] Functional dysphagia is defined in some patients wherein no organic cause for dysphagia can be found.[Oil] Dysphagia is not generally diagnosed. Dysphagia has major consequences on health and healthcare costs on individuals who suffer from dysphagia. Individuals who suffer from severe dysphagia experience a sensation of impaired passage of food products from the mouth to the stomach, occurring immediately after swallowing. Among community dwelling individuals, perceived symptoms may bring the individuals who suffer from dysphagia to see a doctor. Among institutionalized individuals, health care practitioners may observe symptoms or hear comments from the individual who suffers from dysphagia or a family member suggestive of swallowing impairment and then recommend evaluation of the individual who suffers from dysphagia by a specialist. The general awareness of swallowing impairments is low among front-line practitioners, so dysphagia often is undiagnosed and untreated. Yet, a patient can be clinically evaluated and dysphagia diagnosis can be determined through referral to a swallowing specialist (e.g. speech language pathologist).

[0012] The general awareness of swallowing impairments is low among front-line practitioners. Many people (especially those who are elderly) suffer with undiagnosed and untreated swallowing impairments. One reason is that front-line community care practitioners (e.g., general practitioners / geriatricians, home care nurses, physical therapists, etc.) do not typically screen for the condition. If they are aware of the severity of swallowing impairments, they commonly do not use an evidence-based method of screening.

[0013] A severity of dysphagia may vary from: (i) minimal (perceived) difficulty in safely swallowing food products, (ii) an inability to swallow food products without significant risk for aspiration or choking, and (iii) a complete inability to swallow nutritional products. An inability to properly swallow food products may be due to food boluses of the food products being broken into smaller fragments, which may enter the airway or leave unwanted residues in the oropharyngeal and / or esophageal tract during the swallowing process (e.g., aspiration). If enough material enters the lungs, the patient may drown on the food products that have accumulated in the lungs. Even small volumes of aspirated food products may lead to bronchopneumonia infection, and chronic aspiration may lead to bronchiectasis and may cause some cases of asthma.

[0014] Silent aspiration is a common condition among the elderly and refers to the aspiration of the oropharyngeal contents during sleep. People may compensate for less-severe swallowing impairments by self-limiting the diet. The aging process itself, coupled with chronic diseases such as hypertension or osteoarthritis, predisposes the elderly to subclinical dysphagia that may go undiagnosed and untreated until a clinical complication such as pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition and related complications occurs.

[0015] Dysphagia and silent aspiration impact quality of life, causing increase in morbidity and mortality. For example, twelve-month mortality is high (45%) among individuals in institutional care who have dysphagia and aspiration. The economic burden of the clinical consequences arising from lack of diagnosis and early management of dysphagia are therefore significant.

[0016] As noted, pneumonia is a common clinical consequence of dysphagia. Pneumonia may require acute hospitalization and emergency room visits. Among those that develop pneumonia due to aspiration, the differential diagnosis of 'aspiration pneumonia' is not necessarily indicated as a result of current care practices.

[0017] Pneumonia is life threatening among persons with dysphagia, and the odds of death within 3 months are about 50% (van der Steen et al. 2002). In addition, an acute insult such as pneumonia often initiates the downward spiral in health among elderly. An acute insult is associated with poor intakes and inactivity, resulting in malnutrition, functional decline, and frailty. Specific interventions (e.g., to promote oral health, help restore normal swallow, or reinforce a swallow-safe bolus) would benefit persons at risk for (e.g., due to aspiration of oropharyngeal contents, including silent aspiration), or experiencing, recurrent pneumonia.

[0018] Similar to pneumonia, dehydration is a life-threatening clinical complication of dysphagia. Dehydration is a common co-morbidity among hospitalized individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (thus, likely to have a swallowing impairment). Nevertheless, dehydration is an avoidable clinical complication of dysphagia. This underlines the need for thin liquids that can be safely consumed and are organoleptically acceptable for people with dysphagia.

[0019] Malnutrition and related complications (e.g., [urinary tract] infections, pressure ulcers, increased severity of dysphagia [ need for more-restricted food options, tube feeding, and / or Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement and reduced quality of life], dehydration, functional decline and related consequences [falls, dementia, frailty, loss of mobility,and loss of autonomy]) can arise when swallowing impairment leads to fear of choking on food and liquids, slowed rate of consumption, and self-limited food choices. If uncorrected, inadequate nutritional intake exacerbates dysphagia as the muscles that help facilitate normal swallow weaken as physiological reserves are depleted. Malnutrition is associated with having more than 3 -times greater risk of infection. Infections are common in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, who thus are likely to have a chronic swallowing impairment that jeopardizes dietary adequacy.

[0020] Malnutrition has serious implications for patient recovery. Malnourished patients have longer length of hospital stay, are more likely to be re-hospitalized, and have higher costs for hospital care. Furthermore, malnutrition leads to unintentional weight loss and predominant loss of muscle and strength, ultimately impairing mobility and the ability to care for oneself. With the loss of functionality, caregiver burden becomes generally more severe, necessitating informal caregivers, then formal caregivers, and then institutionalization. However, malnutrition is an avoidable clinical complication of dysphagia.

[0021] Among persons with neurodegenerative conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), unintentional weight loss (a marker of malnutrition) precedes cognitive decline. In addition, physical activity can help stabilize cognitive health. Thus, nutritional adequacy is important among persons with neurodegenerative conditions to help them have the strength and endurance to participate in regular physiological exercise and guard against unintentional weight loss, muscle wasting, loss of physical and cognitive functionality, frailty, dementia, and progressive increase in caregiver burden.

[0022] Falls and related injuries are a special concern among elderly with neurodegenerative conditions, associated with loss of functionality. Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths among older adults. Falls are reasonably preventable reason by applying evidence-based practices including medical nutrition therapy as nutritional interventions are efficacious in the prevention of falls and related injuries (e.g., fractures) among the elderly.

[0023] Chewing and swallowing difficulties are recognized risk factors for pressure ulcer development. Pressure ulcers are considered an avoidable medical error, preventable within reason by applying evidence-based practices (including nutritional care, as pressure ulcers are more likely when nutrition is inadequate). Pressure ulcers are reasonably preventable, in part, by assuring nutritional intakes are adequate. Furthermore, specific interventions including the use ofspecialized nutritional supplements help reduce the expected time to heal pressure ulcers once they have developed.

[0024] Notably, Chinese patent application CN109662981A published on April 23, 2019 and purportedly discloses artificial saliva which contains an okra extract. However, production of a dysphagia product is different from making artificial saliva. The rheological properties of saliva (including viscosity) are different from the rheological properties of dysphagia products and the therapeutic effects are different. Moreover, the compositions and methods disclosed in this Chinese patent application require sodium carboxymethylcellulose, which may not be desirable in all applications.SUMMARY

[0025] The present inventors discovered that preparation of okra mucilage for the treatment of dysphagia is very challenging because the okra mucilage may quickly deteriorate into a form that diminishes the functionality of the okra mucilage. For example, conventional methods of sterilizing okra mucilage often degrade the cohesive properties of the okra mucilage, as such cohesive properties help patients swallow food effectively. For this reason, the present inventors identified processing methods for extracted concentrated mucilage that preserve the functionality of the okra mucilage, including its defined rheological properties, and remain shelf-stable. The present inventors also identified devices for performing the said processing methods. Furthermore, the present disclosure describes preparations and compositions from the said processing methods, such as an okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) and an okra mucilage powder (OMP). The preparations and compositions may be presented in different formats, for example, semi-liquid and / or gel format (e.g., by further concentrating or adding a gel forming component) or in a tablet format (e.g., by tableting the okra mucilage powder). The different formats may facilitate administration of the preparations and compositions described herein to a dysphagia patient. Additionally, or alternatively the compositions described herein may be prepared or reconstituted as a Ready To Drink (RTD) product, and / or as a concentrate to be added to a desired solvent (e.g., water, tea, coffee, milk, etc.) to make the final product.

[0026] Although the present disclosure describes the preparations and compositions involving okra as a thickener, some embodiments may additionally use other thickeners. For example, an additional thickener combined with the okra may comprise a plant-extracted gum selected fromthe group consisting of beta-glucan, konjac mannan, tara gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, fenugreek gum, tamarind gum, cassia gum, acacia gum, gum ghatti, pectins, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, and combinations thereof; and / or a plant-derived mucilage selected from the group consisting of cactus mucilage, psyllium mucilage, mallow mucilage, flax seed mucilage, marshmallow mucilage, ribwort mucilage, mullein mucilage, cetraria mucilage, and combinations thereof.

[0027] Nevertheless, in some embodiments, the composition does not contain any sodium carboxymethylcellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any sodium carboxymethylcellulose. In some embodiments, the composition does not contain any carboxymethylcellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any carboxymethylcellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any carboxymethylcellulose. In some embodiments, the composition does not contain any cellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any cellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any cellulose.

[0028] To the best knowledge of the inventors, no commercial solution for providing functionality preserving and shelf-stable preparation for okra mucilage to treat patients with dysphagia is available. Although a primary use of the compositions described herein is for the treatment of dysphagia, it is contemplated that such compositions may be applicable for other uses, such as the treatment of xerostomia.

[0029] Accordingly, in a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a functionality preserving process for extraction and separation of concentrated mucilage from okra into at least a portion of a composition (e.g., a food product and / or water). It is understood that this can apply to any of the final formats noted above.

[0030] It is understood that extraction can be applied once, or multiple times.

[0031] In an embodiment, the process is a method of producing a ready to drink (RTD) beverage comprising extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. The method comprises at least one step selected from a group consisting of: (i) blanching fresh or frozen whole okra pods; (ii) cutting a plurality of okra pieces from okra pods; (iii) submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water; (iv) separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under an acting force or pressure selected from a group comprising: (a) a gravitationalforce, (b) a static pressure, (c) preferably, a centrifugal force, or (d) a combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force; (v) adding an excipient material to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC); (vi) homogenizing, by stirring, a mixture comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) and, optionally, the added excipient material; (vii) heat treating or sterilizing the mixture; and (viii) adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, an okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized mixture to reach a relaxation time larger than 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100-200 milliseconds), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C (e.g., if the relaxation time range has not been reached prior to the adjusting).

[0032] Extensional rheology and relaxation times may be measured by CaBER device with 4-6mm plates at room temperature (20°C, air-conditioned lab). Plates may be moved into a closed position. Subsequently, a small drop of the test fluid may be pipetted into the gap between the 4- 6mm diameter plates where the small drop is held by surface tension. Sufficient fluid is added such that the liquid column is initially as close as possible to a 6mm diameter cylinder. Once inserted, the fluid is left to rest for a few seconds in order that any stresses generated from the pipetting is fully relaxed. Subsequently, the metal surfaces are then rapidly separated linearly over a time interval of 50 ms (milliseconds). The filament formed by this stretching action subsequently thins under the action of interfacial tension and the thinning process is followed quantitatively using a laser sheet measuring the filament diameter at its mid-point. Alternatively, relaxation times may be measured by pinch-off dynamics and dripping onto substrate rheology techniques as described in Dinic et al., Lab Chip, 2017, 17, pgs 460-473.

[0033] It is understood that the reconstituted product may have a background shear viscosity. Testing has shown that modulating the shear viscosity may impact the relaxation time. It is also known that shear viscosity itself has a measurable physiological interventional effect. The final impact on the patient can therefore be a combined effect of both relaxation time (A) (also referred to herein as “relaxation time” or “X”) and shear viscosity. However, while the relaxation time of the final RTD may be at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds), the shear viscosity may be < 400 mPas, preferably < 100 mPas. In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may becombined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: cutting the plurality of okra pieces from the okra pods, wherein the okra pods are fresh or at least one of frozen, dried, or blanched, wherein each okra piece has a length between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm, and wherein the plurality of okra pieces are preferably freed of okra seeds.

[0034] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: blanching the fresh or frozen whole okra pods, wherein the blanching is performed at a temperature between 75°C and 95°C for a time period between 1 minute and 20 minutes.

[0035] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: submerging the plurality of okra pieces in the water, preferably purified or ultrapure water, wherein the submerging is performed in an okra piece to water volume ratio between 1 :5 and 5:1, preferably between 1:1 to 1 :3, for a time range between 0.5 hours and 24 hours, preferably between 1 hour and 6 hours, wherein a temperature of the water is adjusted between 4°C and 90°C, preferably between 20°C and 50°C.

[0036] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the plurality of okra pieces are not submerged in the water. The method further comprises: separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under an acting force or pressure selected from a group comprising: a static pressure, a centrifugal force, or a combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force.

[0037] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under the acting force or pressure selected from the group comprising: (a) the gravitational force, (b) the static pressure, (c) preferably, the centrifugal force, or (d) the combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force, wherein separating the OMLC via filtration comprises: applying a sieve with a mesh size between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm through which the filtration is performed under gravity conditions, static pressure, centrifugal force or a combination of both static pressure and centrifugal force. The static pressure difference between 1 bar absoluteand 11 bar absolute, preferably in the range of 2 bar absolute and 6 bar absolute, and the centrifugal acceleration conditions in the range of 300g and 4000g, preferably between 500g and 3000g.

[0038] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: adding the excipient material (and / or functional material and / or a shear viscosity modifier) to the OMLC before or after the separation or to the okra mucilage concentrate, wherein the excipient material is preferably a watery solution, the excipient material containing between 1 % wt and 50 % wt of dry excipient mass, preferably between 5 % wt and 30 % wt of dry excipient mass, the addition resulting in a ratio of okra mucilage dry matter to dry excipient matter 1 :25 to 5: 1.

[0039] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise the excipient material is added before separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration

[0040] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: homogenizing the mixture comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) and, optionally, the added excipient material, wherein the homogenizing comprises: (a) stirring the mixture with stirrers at a revolutions per minute (rpm) range between 20 rpm and 500 rpm, preferably between 50 rpm and 200 rpm, wherein the mixture is stirred at a representative shear rate less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, wherein the representative shear rate is determined according to the Metzner-Otto method; or (b) periodically moving a disk with openings up and down in an axial direction inside a cylindrical vessel holding the mixture, wherein the disk with openings is periodically moved at an absolute shear rate (y.*) less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, wherein the absolute shear rate is determined based on similar numbers for an absolute wall shear rate in the openings and wherein the absolute wall shear rate (y.*) may be determined using a Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach.

[0041] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: heat treating the mixture, wherein the heat treating is performed at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at about 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes.

[0042] Some embodiments sterilize in a manner that preserves the cohesive properties of the OMLC. High shear and high temperatures over too long a period are seen to destroy the cohesiveness. In consequence, the following methodology overcomes this issue. In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: sterilizing the mixture, wherein the sterilization is performed at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds (as demonstrated in the table shown as Figure 4), and preferably at an absolute wall shear rate (y.*) below 250 1 / s, preferably below 100 1 / s, wherein the wall shear rate (y. *) may be measured using a Rabinowitsch- Weissenberg approach.

[0043] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: dispersing gas into the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) by membrane foaming, preferably dynamically enhanced membrane foaming, by cross-flowing and dispersing the gas through membrane pores of a membrane, the membrane pores having a pore size less than or equal to 50 microns, preferably less than or equal to 2 microns; and detaching bubbles of the gas from a surface of the membrane at a wall shear rate measured from a gap between the membrane and a housing of less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, within short residence time of less than or equal to 5 seconds, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 seconds, at a temperature below 60°C, preferably between 1°C and 20°C.

[0044] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: dispersing gas into the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) by: dissolving pressurized gas, preferably CO2, at an elevated static pressure of more than 2 bar, preferably between 2 bar and 30 bar, within a temperature between 1°C and 20°C, preferably between 5°C and 10°C; and releasing the dissolved gas under micro-foam formation upon pressure release or temperature increase during a subsequent drying step.

[0045] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration, wherein the separation of the OMLC via filtration comprises: separating the okra mucilage via hyperbaric filtrationcentrifugation by applying an acceleration force between 500 g and 3000 g and applying a superimposed static pressure of at most 11 bar absolute, preferably between 1 bar absolute to 11 bar absolute.

[0046] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: aseptically filling at least a portion of the RTD beverage with the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate.

[0047] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: heat treating the mixture; drying and powderizing the heat treated mixture, resulting in an Okra Mucilage Powder (OMP); and reconstituting the powder in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted watery OMP dispersion in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

[0048] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: micro-foaming of the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) by (i) Dynamically Enhanced Membrane Foaming (DESM) at wall shear rates in the gap between membrane and housing of < 500 1 / s, preferably < 250 1 / s within short residence time of < 5 seconds, preferably < 0.5 seconds, at a temperature between 1 - 20°C, or (ii) by dispersing and dissolving pressurized gas, preferably CO2; and releasing the dissolved gas under micro-foam formation upon pressure release before or during subsequent drying.

[0049] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the method further comprises: drying and powderizing the mixture, resulting in a powder (OMP); and reconstituting the powder in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted watery OMP dispersion in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

[0050] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, drying comprises at least one of freeze drying, vacuum drying, vacuum spray drying, and wherein the drying is performed at a temperature below 60°C.

[0051] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, powderizing comprises milling, preferably by applying a pin-, ball- or jet mill under a controlled temperature condition below 60°C.

[0052] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the plurality of okra pieces are not submerged in water. The method further comprises: heat treating or sterilizing the mixture; packaging and storing an okra mucilage concentrate from the heat treated or sterilized mixture; and prior to or at a time of preparing the RTD beverage, adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, the okra mucilage concentration to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

[0053] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the plurality of okra pieces are not submerged in water, and the excipient material is not added to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC). The method further comprises: heat treating or sterilizing the mixture, the mixture not including the excipient material; packaging and storing an okra mucilage concentrate from the heat treated or sterilized mixture; prior to or at a time of preparing the RTD beverage, adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, the okra mucilage concentration to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 100 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 and 200 milliseconds at 20°C), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

[0054] In another embodiment, a composition comprises an okra mucilage in a form of a concentrate or a powder. The composition may optionally further comprise an excipient. The composition, after an adjusted reconstitution and dilution, has a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 100 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 and 200 milliseconds at 20°C), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the composition in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER).

[0055] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed fromthe composition in the Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C is kept for a time period of at least 1 year under storage within a temperature range between 1°C and 40°C, preferably between 4°C and 6°C.

[0056] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the (non-dried) composition comprises okra dry matter content that is between 0.1 %wt and 5.0 %wt of the composition, preferably between 1.0 %wt and 2.0 %wt of the composition. The composition of such dry matter content has a shear viscosity less than or equal to 400 mPas, preferably less than or equal to 100 mPas, wherein the shear viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 50 1 / s at 20°C in a rotational rheometer, such as an Anton Parr rotational viscosimeter, preferably by applying a concentric cylinder shear gap geometry.

[0057] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the composition has a pH between 2 and 8, preferably between 4.5 and 7.5.

[0058] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the composition is formed by at least one step selected from a group consisting of:

[0059] (i) cutting a plurality of okra pieces from fresh or at least one of frozen, dried, or blanched okra pods, wherein, if the okra pods are blanched, the blanching is performed at a temperature between 90°C and 95°C for a time period between 1 minute and 20 minutes, wherein each okra piece has a thickness between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm, and wherein the okra pieces are preferably freed from the okra seeds;

[0060] (ii) submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water, preferably purified or ultrapure water, resulting in an okra piece to water volume ratio between 1:5 and 5: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 1 :3, for a time period between 0.5 hours and 24 hours, preferably between 1 hour and 6 hours, wherein the water temperature is adjusted between 4°C and 90°C, preferably between 20°C and 50°C;

[0061] (iii) separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration acting under a pressure force or a centrifugal force or a combination of these, wherein the separating comprises: applying a sieve with a mesh size between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, through which the filtration is performed, wherein, if the filtration is acting under the pressure force, the pressure force is between 1 bar absolute and 11 barabsolute, preferably between 2 bar absolute and 6 bar absolute, wherein, if the filtration is acting under the centrifugal force, the centrifugal force is between 300 g and 4000 g, preferably between 500 g and 3000 g;

[0062] (iv) adding the excipient material to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) before or after the separation, wherein the excipient material is preferably a watery solution, the excipient material containing between 1 %wt and 50 %wt of dry excipient mass, the addition resulting in a ratio of okra mucilage dry matter to dry excipient matter between 1 :25 to 5: 1 ;

[0063] (v) homogenizing the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) and optionally, the added excipient material by: (a) stirring the OMLC at a revolutions per minute (rpm) range between 20 rpm and 500 rpm, preferably between 50 rpm and 200 rpm, wherein the homogenized OMLC is subjected to a representative shear rate less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, determined according to the Metzner-Otto method; or (b) periodically moving a disk with openings up and down along an axial direction within a cylindrical vessel holding the OMLC, wherein the homogenized OMLC is subjected to an absolute shear rate (y.*) less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, determined based on similar numbers for an absolute wall shear rate in the openings and wherein the absolute wall shear rate (y.*) may be determined using a Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach.

[0064] (vi) heat treating or sterilizing the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC), wherein the heat treating occurs at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at about 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes, and wherein the sterilizing occurs at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds; and

[0065] (vii) adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, an okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100-200 milliseconds at 20°C ), the relaxation time measured for a filament formed from the heat treated or sterilized OMLC in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C .

[0066] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the composition is formed by: adding the excipient material to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC); and after adjusting the okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized OMLC, packaging and storing the OMLC for a ready to drink (RTD) beverage, wherein the formation of the composition does not include a step of submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water.

[0067] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the composition is formed by: adding the excipient material to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC); heat treating the OMLC for microbial reduction; drying and powderizing the heat treated OMLC, resulting in an Okra Mucilage Powder (OMP); and at the point of intended use, reconstituting the OMP in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between, n 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds), the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted powder in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

[0068] In an aspect of the present disclosure, which may be combined with any other aspect listed herein unless specified otherwise, the composition is in a form of a Ready To Drink (RTD) beverage.

[0069] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a swallowing disorder via physiological intervention in an individual (e.g., a subject and / or a patient) having the swallowing disorder. The method comprises orally administering to the individual a tailored product that delivers a relaxation time to the individual of at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds) at 20°C either directly without dilution (e.g., as in an RTD beverage) or upon appropriate preparation dilution (concentrated liquid, powder, tablet, gel, etc.). The relaxation time preferably measured from a filament formed from the dilution, such as a diluted powder, in a CaBER at 20° C

[0070] The composition may be prepared using any of the methods described herein. In some aspects, the swallowing disorder may be dysphagia.

[0071] In another embodiment, a method of promoting safe swallowing of a nutritional product in a subject in need of the same is disclosed. The method may comprise: orally administering,to the individual, a tailored product that delivers a relaxation time to the individual of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds) either directly without dilution (RTD) or upon appropriate preparation dilution (concentrated liquid, powder, tablet, gel, etc.). The relaxation time preferably measured from a filament formed from the tailored product in a CaBER at 20°C.

[0072] As previously discussed, promoting safe swallowing decreases the risk of at least one of: aspiration of the nutritional product; penetration of the nutritional product; pneumonia; or dysphagia. Furthermore, the composition comprising the tailored product that delivers a relaxation time to the individual of at least 10 milliseconds at 20°C (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds) either directly without dilution (RTD) or upon appropriate preparation dilution (concentrated liquid, powder, tablet, gel, etc.) produced via any of the methods described herein. The relaxation time preferably measured from a filament formed from the nutritional product in a CaBER at at 20°C. An advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to promote safer swallowing of boluses of a food product in an individual suffering from dysphagia and / or chewing difficulties

[0073] Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to improve the lives of a large and growing number of individuals who suffer from dysphagia.

[0074] Yet another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to support specific interventions (e.g., to promote oral health, help restore normal swallowing, or reinforce a swallow-safe bolus) that can enable individuals to eat orally instead of being tube fed and / or requiring PEG placement and experience the psycho-social aspects of nutritional products associated with general well-being, while guarding against the potentially negative consequences that result from lack of adequate swallowing ability, including social isolation.

[0075] Still another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to improve the intake of food products by individuals who suffer from dysphagia and thus enable such individuals to swallow a wider variety of nutritional products safely and comfortably, which may lead to an overall healthier condition of the individual and prevent further health-related decline.

[0076] Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is natural cohesiveness that saliva typically provides to food boluses of food products when being consumed by an individual.

[0077] Moreover, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to modify rheological properties of a food product to prevent bolus penetration and aspiration with the use of an extracted concentrated okra mucilage.

[0078] Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a composition based on an extracted concentrated okra mucilage that, when mixed with the food product during consumption, can provide the cohesiveness akin to saliva produced in the mouth and thus provide a more natural sensation to individuals who suffer from dysphagia.

[0079] Yet another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a composition based on an extracted concentrated okra mucilage that is shelf stable, such that the composition, when mixed with the food product during consumption, can be used to treat individuals who suffer from dysphagia for a longer time.

[0080] Still another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a composition based on the extracted concentrated okra mucilage that is devoid of the thickened sensation (high shear viscosity) from conventional thickeners because one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure leave no residue in the mouth of the individuals who suffer from dysphagia. This advantage is particularly relevant for liquid products that are supposed to maintain their thin liquid properties.

[0081] Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a composition based on the extracted concentrated okra mucilage having organoleptic properties superior to known thickened nutritional products.

[0082] Moreover, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is improved cohesion of food boluses, via use of the composition based on the extracted concentrated okra mucilage, to prevent a food bolus from being broken into smaller fragments which may enter the airway or leave unwanted residues in the oropharyngeal and / or esophageal tract during the swallowing process.

[0083] Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is reduction of swallowing effort for individuals who suffer from dysphagia, through the use of the composition based on the extracted concentrated okra mucilage.

[0084] Yet another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is reduced risk of residue build-up in the oropharyngeal and / or esophageal tracts of a dysphagia patient.

[0085] Still another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is an improvement in the process of preparing the okra mucilage such that the cohesive properties of okra mucilage can be maintained, as such cohesive properties are useful for the treatment of dysphagia in individuals.

[0086] Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is improved ability and efficiency to swallow and thus improved safety through reduced risk of pulmonary aspiration.

[0087] Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is greater independence from feeding assistance and / or reduced length of time spent in feedingassistance during meal consumption.

[0088] Additional features and advantages are described herein and will be apparent from the following Figures and Detailed Description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0089] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing example processes used for making extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 2 shows the impact of seeds and no seeds as well as heat treatment of 90°C for 10 minutes on the extract in terms of relaxation time.

[0091] FIG. 3 shows the sterilization setup for the extract.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows a table complementing FIG. 3 with achieved relaxation times after sterilization within the claimed sterilization temperature and treatment time conditions

[0093] FIG. 5 shows the influence of extraction conditions on yield (with no seeds).

[0094] FIG. 6 shows the influence of extraction conditions on dry mass (with no seeds).

[0095] FIG. 7A shows the influence of extraction conditions on relaxation time (with no seeds), both heat treated (a) and non-heat treated (b) measured after 42 days storage.

[0096] FIG. 7B shows the influence of extraction conditions on relaxation time (with no seeds), both heat treated (a) and non-heat treated (b) measured after 205 days storage.

[0097] FIG. 8 shows the impact of storage time and dilution to demonstrate that the relaxation times are kept within the claimed domains over the long time period and with reduced losses when diluted (RTD).

[0098] FIG. 9 shows the impact of enzymatic treatment.

[0099] FIG.10 shows reconstituted powder relaxation time and shear viscositiesDETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] Definitions: Some definitions are provided hereafter. Nevertheless, definitions may be located in the “Embodiments” section below, and the above header “Definitions” does not mean that such disclosures in the “Embodiments” section are not definitions.

[0101] All percentages expressed herein are by weight of the total weight of the composition unless expressed otherwise. Weight by total solids as noted as “% TS.”

[0102] As used herein, “about,” “approximately” and “substantially” are understood to refer to numbers in a range of numerals, for example the range of -10% to +10% of the referenced number, preferably -5% to +5% of the referenced number, more preferably -1% to +1% of the referenced number, most preferably -0.1% to +0.1% of the referenced number. All numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers, whole or fractions, within the range. Moreover, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 1 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

[0103] As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an ingredient” or “the ingredient” includes two or more ingredients.

[0104] The words “comprise,” “comprises” and “comprising” are to be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Likewise, the terms “include,” “including” and “or” should all be construed to be inclusive, unless such a construction is clearly prohibited from the context. Nevertheless, the compositions disclosed herein may lack any element that is not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, a disclosure of an embodiment using the term “comprising” includes a disclosure of embodiments “consisting essentially of’ and “consisting of’ the components identified.

[0105] The term “and / or” used in the context of “X and / or Y” should be interpreted as “X,” or “Y,” or “X and Y.” Where used herein, the terms “example” and “such as,” particularly when followed by a listing of terms, are merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be deemed to be exclusive or comprehensive.

[0106] The term “nutritional product” means a product or composition that is intended for ingestion by an individual such as a human and provides at least one nutrient to the individual.

[0107] ‘ ‘Prevention” includes reduction of risk and / or severity of a condition or disorder. The terms “treatment,” “treat,” “attenuate” and “alleviate” include both prophylactic or preventive treatment (that prevent and / or slow the development of a targeted pathologic condition or disorder) and curative, physiological or disease-modifying treatment, including physiological measures that cure, slow down, lessen symptoms of, and / or halt progression of a diagnosed pathologic condition or disorder, and include treatment of patients at risk of contracting a disease or suspected to have contracted a disease, as well as patients who are ill or have been diagnosed as suffering from a disease or medical condition. The term does not necessarily imply that a subject is treated until total recovery. These terms also refer to the maintenance and / or promotion of health in an individual not suffering from a disease but who may be susceptible to the development of an unhealthy condition. These terms are also intended to include the potentiation or otherwise enhancement of one or more primary prophylactic or physiological measure. The terms “treatment,” “treat,” “attenuate” and “alleviate” are further intended to include the dietary management of a disease or condition or the dietary management for prophylaxis or prevention a disease or condition. A treatment can be patient- or doctor-related.

[0108] The term “individual” means any animal, including humans, that could suffer from cognitive aging and thus benefit from one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Generally, the individual is a human or a companion animal (e.g., any domesticated animal, such as a dog or cat).

[0109] As used herein, an “effective amount” is an amount that prevents a deficiency, treats a disease or medical condition in an individual or, more generally, reduces symptoms, manages progression of the diseases or provides a nutritional, physiological, or medical benefit to the individual. The relative terms “promote,” “improve,” “increase,” “enhance” and the like refer to the effects of a nutritional product comprising the thickening powder disclosed herein relative to a nutritional product lacking the thickening powder, but otherwise identical.[HO] The term “mucilage” refers to a thick, gluey substance secreted by plants. Thus, “okra mucilage” may refer to the mucilage from okra (e.g., okra pods and / or cut okra pieces). Okra mucilage may comprise glycoprotein and polymeric carbohydrates, resulting in a high-water binding capacity, resulting in favorable cohesive properties for the treatment of dysphagia. Furthermore, “okra mucilage liquid concentrate” may refer to an aqueous mucilage dispersion which may contain residues of small particles of okra solids.

[0111] The term “heat treatment” may refer to a process where a mixture is treated with heat to reduce or eliminate pathogens and / or enzymes and / or to extend shelf life. In particular, as described herein, the mixture may comprise the okra mucilage liquid concentrate and, optionally, the added excipient material.

[0112] The term “ready-to-drink beverage” or “RTD beverage,” as used herein, refers to a beverage that is consumable without addition of any further components, or the like. It is understood that the RTD is defined as the final composition that does not need any further dilution, and provides a relaxation time (A) for the individual of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C, the relaxation time preferably measured from a filament formed from the composition in a CaBER at 20°C. All other formats disclosed herein are considered as concentrates and need to be diluted.

[0113] The term "powder," as used herein, refers to a composition that consists of finely dispersed solid particles that are free flowing and capable of being readily dispersed in another medium, for example, a base liquid or a ready to drink beverage.

[0114] The term “unit dosage form,” as used herein, refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages for human and animal subjects, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of the composition disclosed herein in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect, in association with an acceptable diluent, carrier or vehicle. In an embodiment, the unit dosage form can be a predetermined amount of powder comprising the extracted concentrated okra mucilage in a sachet, pill, tablet, or the like.

[0115] “Excipient material” is a single carrier material or a mixture of carrier materials used to make powder and / or RTD.

[0116] ‘ ‘Functional ingredient” is a biologically functional material. The functional ingredient may be added deliberately to confer specific functional behavior (e.g., a reduction of slowdown in the relaxation time (X) over storage).

[0117] “Viscosity modifier” changes the shear viscosity of the finally reconstituted material.

[0118] It may be appreciated that a given material may comprise one or more of these components. Examples include, but are not limited to, materials such as maltodextrin, protein hydrolysates, surfactants, monoethylene glycol (MEG), specific MW fractions of degraded macromolecules, proteases, maltodextrin, food / pharma grade hydrocolloid, starch, etc., as per standard lists.

[0119] The term “heat treatment,” as used herein, refers to a process of food preservation in which packaged and non-packaged foods (such as milk and fruit juices) are treated with mild heat, usually to less than 100 °C (212 °F), to eliminate pathogens and extend shelf life. The process is intended to destroy or deactivate microorganisms and enzymes that contribute to food spoilage or risk of disease, including vegetative bacteria, but most bacterial spores survive the process. For example, heat treatment for processes described herein may be carried out at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at about 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes. This optimized heat treatment specified above helps to minimize the reduction of the relaxation time (X) over storage.

[0120] The term “sterilization,” as used herein, may refer to a process where a mixture is rendered so that most, all, or a substantial portion of lifeforms (particularly microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, spores, and unicellular eukaryotic organisms) and other biological agents such as prions present in or on a specific surface, object or fluid are eliminated from it. Sterilization can be achieved through various means including heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. Sterilization is distinct from disinfection, sanitization, and heat treatment, in that those methods reduce rather than eliminate all forms of life and biological agents present. After sterilization, an object is referred to as being sterile or aseptic. For example, sterilization for processes described herein may be performed by heat treatment at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds (as demonstrated in the table shown as Figure 4). The term “gel,” as used herein, may refer to a semi-solid that can have properties ranging from soft andweak to hard and tough. Gels may comprise a substantially dilute cross-linked system, which exhibits no flow when in the steady-state. However, in some aspects, the liquid phase may still diffuse through the cross-linked system.

[0121] The term “concentrate,” as used herein, may refer to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) which results from the extraction process (with or without submerging), and which may be subjected to another subsequent concentration step by the removal of water. For example, for a substance comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) or a mixture comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC), the concentrate may refer to a form of the substance that has had the majority of its water removed.

[0122] Extensional rheology may be measured by CaBER device with 4-6mm plates at room temperature (20°C, air conditioned lab). Plates may be moved into a closed position. Subsequently, a small drop of the test fluid may be pipetted into the gap between the 4-6mm diameter plates where the small drop is held by surface tension. Sufficient fluid is added such that the liquid column is initially as close as possible to a 6mm diameter cylinder. Once inserted, the fluid is left to rest for a few seconds in order that any stresses generated from the pipetting is fully relaxed. Subsequently, the metal surfaces are then rapidly separated linearly over a time interval of 50 ms (milliseconds). The filament formed by this stretching action subsequently thins under the action of interfacial tension and the thinning process is followed quantitatively using a laser sheet measuring the filament diameter at its mid-point.Embodiments

[0123] Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a process for preparing a ready to drink (RTD) beverage comprising extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also include a process for preparing a powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, which may share one or more steps of the process for preparing the RTD beverage. In some aspects, the powder may be used to prepare a RTD beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. The processes described herein may preserve certain characteristics of okra mucilage that are useful for treating dysphagia and other disorders. Such characteristics include the cohesive properties that help patients swallow food effectively, and rheological properties that allow the okra mucilage to be shelf stable.

[0124] In some embodiments, the composition does not contain any sodium carboxymethylcellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any sodium car- boxymethylcellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any sodium carboxymethylcellulose. In some embodiments, the composition does not contain any carboxymethylcellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any carboxymethylcellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any carboxymethylcellulose. In some embodiments, the composition does not contain any cellulose, the methods of making the composition does not include addition of any cellulose, and / or the method of using the composition does not include administration of any cellulose.

[0125] FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing example processes used for making extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, according to non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure. The example processes may include processes for making a ready to drink (RTD) beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra and processes for making a powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra.

[0126] In some embodiments, the processes may begin with, or may include as a step, blanching okra pods (block 0). The okra pods may be fresh, frozen, and / or dried. In an aspect, the blanching may be performed at a temperature between 75°C and 95°C for a time period between 1 minute and 20 minutes. Also or alternatively, the processes may begin with, or may include, as a step, cutting a plurality of okra pieces from okra pods (block i). The okra pods may be fresh, frozen, dried, blanched, and / or otherwise treated. Each okra piece may have a characteristic length between 2 mm and 30 mm, and preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm. In some aspects, the plurality of okra pieces may be freed of okra seeds.

[0127] FIG. 2 shows the impact of seed removal, for both heat-treated and non-heat treated embodiments.

[0128] In some embodiments, the processes may include, as a step, submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water (block ii). Preferably, the water is purified or ultrapure. Nevertheless, other forms of water or liquids or liquid mixtures with similar properties as water can be used. The submerging may be performed in an okra piece to water volume ratio between 1:5 and 5: 1, preferably between 1 :1 to 1:3. The submersion may occur for a time range between 0.5 hours and 24 hours, preferably between 1 hour and 6 hours. Furthermore, a temperature of the water is adjusted between 4°C and 90°C, preferably between 20°C and 50°C, for example, during the submersionof the okra pieces. In some embodiments, the plurality of okra pieces need not be submerged in water.

[0129] In some embodiments, the processes may comprise, or include as a step, separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces (block iii). The OMLC may refer to an aqueous solution in which particles of the okra mucilage are dispersed in the aqueous solution. In some aspects, the OMLC may be separated by filtration under an acting force or pressure. For example, the acting force or pressure may include but are not limited to: a gravitational force, a static pressure, a centrifugal force, or a combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force. However, in other aspects, non-filtration methods may be used to separate the OMLC. In some aspects, prior to separating the OMLC from the plurality of okra pieces, the plurality of okra pieces may not have been submerged in water, or may have otherwise been kept away from water. In some embodiments, the OMLC may be separated by applying a sieve through which the filtration may be performed under the acting force or pressure. For example, the sieve may have a mesh size between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 through which the filtration may be performed. In some aspects, the filtration may be performed under gravity conditions and a static pressure difference between 1-11 bar absolute, preferably in the range of 2- 6 bar absolute. Also or alternatively, the filtration may be performed under centrifugal acceleration conditions in the range of 300-4000g, preferably 500-3000g. In an embodiment, separating the okra mucilage comprises separating the okra mucilage via coupled filtration by applying an acceleration force between 300 g and 4000 g, and preferably between 500 g and 3000 g. In an embodiment, separating the OMLC comprises separating the OLMC via hyperbaric filtration centrifugation by applying an acceleration force between 500 g to 3000 g and a static pressure at most 11 bar absolute.

[0130] In some embodiments, the processes may comprise, or include as a step, adding an excipient to the OMLC (block iv). An excipient may comprise a substance used to provide longterm stabilization for the okra mucilage extract and / or facilitate powder flowability for the okra mucilage extract. Examples of excipients may include but are not limited to maltodextrins, glycols, sucrose, polyols, proteins, polysaccharides, salts, including but not limited to sodium salts such as calcium salts such CaCh, surfactants, hydrolysates of proteins and / or hydrolysates of polysaccharides, all modified polysaccharides or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the excipient may be added to the OMLC after it is separated from the plurality of okra pieces. Additionallyor alternatively, the excipient may be added to a further concentrated OMLC. The excipient material may be preferably a watery solution. Furthermore, the excipient material may include between 1 %wt and 50 %wt, preferably between 5 % wt and 30 % wt of dry excipient mass. The addition of the excipient to the OMLC may result in a ratio of okra mucilage dry matter to dry excipient matter between 1 :25 to 5:1.

[0131] In some embodiments, the processes may comprise, or include as a step, homogenizing a mixture comprising the OMLC (block v). The homogenizing may be performed by gently stirring the mixture at 20°C and may result in increased homogenization from a relatively more heterogeneous mixture. In some aspects, the resulting mixture need not be completely homogenized, and may just be less heterogeneous than before the homogenizing is performed. The mixture that is being homogenized may optionally include excipient material (that may have been added at block iv). In some embodiments, the homogenizing may be performed by stirring the mixture with stirrers at a revolutions per minute (rpm) range between 20 rpm and 500 rpm, preferably between 50 rpm and 200 rpm. In some aspects, the stirrer may comprise a magnet or a blade stirrer. The mixture may be stirred at a representative shear rate yrepless than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s. The representative shear rate is determined according to the Metzner-Otto method. The Metzner-Otto method quantifies the total energy dissipation rate in non-Newtonian flows applied by a stirrer (e.g., the stirrer described above) which may be expressed a representative shear rate. In this method, a constant factor may be introduced to correlate the representative shear rate with a stirrer or agitator speed such that yrep= KSN, where yrep, Ks, and N are the representative shear rate, the Metzner-Otto constant, and the impeller speed (in revolutions per second). The Metzner-Otto constant may depend on the geometry of the stirrer. Additionally, or alternatively, the homogenizing may be performed by periodically moving a disk with openings up and down in an axial direction inside a cylindrical vessel holding the mixture at an absolute shear rate (y.*) acting at the walls of the openings of less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s. Such absolute shear rate (y.*) may be determined by the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach taking the non-Newtonian rheology of the okra mucilage concentrate into account.

[0132] In some embodiments, the processes may comprise, or include as a step, heat treating or sterilizing the mixture (block vi). For example, processes for making the ready to drink (RTD) beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may involve heat treating orsterilizing the mixture (block V!A), while processes for making the powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may involve heat treating the mixture (block vip,). In some aspects, the heat treating may be performed at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at about 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Also or alternatively, for processes for making the RTD beverage, sterilization can be performed at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds. In some aspects, sterilization can be performed by heat treatment. In case of continuous sterilization by heat treatment wall shear rates (y.*) generated by the okra mucilage concentrate flow through pipes, gaps and valves of heat exchanger units may not exceed 250 1 / s, preferably not exceed 100 1 / s with the wall shear rate (y.*) calculated by the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach taking the non-Newtonian rheology of the okra mucilage concentrate into account. In order to fulfill this condition, the inventive “pump and valve-free (PVF)” continuous sterilization device principle demonstrated in FIG. 3 is applied within which the liquid okra mucilage concentrate is transferred from a first to a second container by a pressure difference Ap between these two containers, whereas Ap is regulated in such a way that the hydrostatic pressure difference between the two containers is compensated and the effective pressure difference Ap for the fluid transport is adjusted to not exceed the critical wall shear rate threshold while fulfilling the required residence time conditions at sterilization temperature. However, in other aspects, other methods for sterilization may be performed (e.g., chemical, pressure, irradiation, filtration, etc.). Furthermore, in processes for making the RTD beverage, an okra mucilage concentrate from the heat treated or sterilized mixture can be packaged and stored. An example sterilization process is described herein, in relation to FIG. 3.

[0133] In some embodiments, gas is continuously dispersed in the OMLC using a Dynamically Enhanced Membrane Foaming (DESM) device applying membranes of pore size < 50 microns, preferably < 2 microns at wall shear rates in the gap between membrane and housing of < 500 1 / s, preferably < 250 1 / s within short residence time of < 5 second, preferably < 0.5 s at a temperature below 60°C, preferably between 1°C and 20°C . In some embodiments, gas is dispersed by (i) dissolving pressurized gas, preferably CO2 in a container at elevated static pressure of > 2 bar, preferably between 2-30 bar within a temperature range of l-20°C, preferably between 5-10°C and (ii) releasing the dissolved gas under micro-foam formation upon pressure releaseduring a subsequent drying step. Dispersing the gas into the OMLC as described above, may create a porous structure in the OMLC (block VUE).

[0134] The gas-enriched (preferably gas-saturated) OMLC may be dried under low temperature (block viiiB). In some embodiments the gas-enriched (preferably gas-saturated) OMLC is dried by spray drying, preferably under acting partial vacuum of < 500 mbar, more preferably of < 100 mbar, preferably not exceeding surface temperature of the spray drops of 60°C. In some embodiments the gas-enriched, preferably gas-saturated OMLC is dried by vacuum drying, preferably microwave assisted vacuum drying at temperatures < 60°C and partial vacuum of < 500 mbar, preferably between 100-300 mbar. In some embodiments the OMLC with or without gasenrichment, is dried by freeze drying, not exceeding a temperature of 60°C within the OMLC. In some embodiments, said foam structure has a gas volume fraction of 10 - 90 vol%, preferably 20- 60 vol%, most preferably 30 - 50 vol% after complete drying. In some embodiments for the drying step a vacuum is applied before and / or during drying. In some embodiments, the resulting foamed and dried Okra Mucilage Powder (OMP) has open pores having an average pore size of 1- 500 microns, preferably 10 - 150 microns, more preferably lower than 50 microns.

[0135] The present disclosure further relates to a porous OMP formulation that can suck water or a watery beverage into the open pores to support complete reconstitution and dissolu- tion / dispersing within a time range of 1-20 minutes, preferably within a time frame of < 200 seconds, preferably < 100 seconds.

[0136] In some embodiments, the moisture content of the OMP is less than 10%wt., more preferably less than 5%wt.

[0137] Processes for making the RTD beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may further comprise, or include as a step, adjusting the okra mucilage concentration (e.g., by dilution or concentration) to reach a desired relaxation time (block VHA). The adjustment may be performed prior to or at a time of preparing the RTD beverage (e.g., when the packaged or stored okra mucilage concentrate is ready to be unpackaged or taken from storage). The adjustment may involve diluting the okra mucilage concentrate, or causing evaporation of the okra mucilage solvent to adjust the okra mucilage concentration under partial vacuum. In some aspects, the desired relaxation time may be at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 millisec-onds). The relaxation time may be measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C . In some aspects, the relaxation time of a filament formed from the mixture may be kept for a time period of at least 1 year under storage within a temperature range between 1°C and 40°C, preferably between 4°C and 6°C.

[0138] In some embodiments, the okra mucilage concentration need not be adjusted if, for example, the desirable or appropriate relaxation time at 20°C was already attained. For example, the relaxation time (e.g., at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C) may have been attained by the heat treated or sterilized mixture, thus rendering the step of adjusting the okra mucilage concentration futile. In some aspects of such embodiments, the processes for making the RTD beverage may include determining whether the mixture has attained the relaxation time condition prior to any step of adjusting an okra mucilage concentration from the mixture.

[0139] In some embodiments, the processes for making the RTD beverage, in which adjusting the okra mucilage concentration is performed, may not involve previously submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water. Furthermore, the heat treated or sterilized mixture, from which the okra mucilage concentration is adjusted, may include the excipient material. In other embodiments, the heat treated or sterilized mixture may not include the excipient material (e.g., since the excipient material may not have been added).

[0140] The final product may be or may comprise an RTD product, that may be served (e.g., as per a bottle of water, coffee etc.), or may comprise a concentrate that may be added to water, tea, coffee, milk etc. to make the final product. In both cases, the final reconstituted product may have a background shear viscosity of less than or equal to 400 mPas, preferably less than or equal to 100 mPas, wherein the shear viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 50 1 / s at20°C in a rotational rheometer, preferably by applying a concentric cylinder shear gap geometry.

[0141] Processes for making the RTD beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may further comprise, or include as a step, filling a portion of a beverage (e.g., an RTD beverage) with the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate (block viiiA). For example, the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate may be added to milk, water, juice, or other desired drinkable base fluid to form the RTD beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. In some aspects, the addition of the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate to the beverage may occur aseptically. For example, a container holding the milk, water, juice, or other desired drinkable baseliquid may allow a restricted and / or seal tight access to the adjusted okra mucilage so as to prevent or discourage undesired microorganisms from entering the container. In at least one embodiment, filling the portion of the beverage may involve diluting the extracted concentrated mucilage into a fluid (e.g., milk, water juice, or other desired drinkable base fluid) to achieve a desirable or appropriate shear viscosity as defined above. In an embodiment, the extracted concentrated mucilage may be rendered into a powder form, using any of the processes described herein, in order to facilitate the dilution into the fluid.

[0142] In some embodiments, the thusly formed RTD beverage comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may be stored, e.g., for subsequent use. Non-limiting examples of subsequent use may involve a consumption by an individual to treat a dysphagia, or for a subsequent clinical trial.

[0143] As previously discussed, processes for making a powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may comprise, or include as a step, heat treating the mixture formed from the OMLC (block vip,). In some aspects, the mixture to be heat treated may additionally include excipient material. The heat treating may be performed at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes.

[0144] The processes for making the powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may comprise, or include as a step, gasifying the mixture to create a porous structure (block viiB).

[0145] The processes for making the powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may comprise, or include as a step, drying the mixture at low temperature (block viiiB). For example, the drying may involve freeze-drying or vacuum drying. In some aspects, the drying may be performed at a low temperature, such as a temperature below 60°C (e.g., a temperature between 40°C and 50°C).

[0146] The processes for making the powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may comprise, or include as a step, powderizing the mixture. The powderizing may involve milling and / or classifying the mixture (block IXB). For example, the milling may be performed, preferably by applying a pin-mill, ball-mill, and / or a jet mill to the mixture under a controlled temperature condition below 60°C (e.g., a temperature between 40 and 50°C) generating particle sizes below 2.5 millimeters, preferably below 200 micrometers, but in case of a porousparticle structure adjusting the particle mean diameter (median of the volume distribution X50.3 Particle) to a size of at least five times larger than the mean pore diameter (xso,3 Pore) . The classifying may be performed, for example, by air classification, sieving or sifting. In some aspects, the resulting powder may be heat treated for microbial reduction.

[0147] The processes for making the powder comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra may comprise, or include as a step, forming a unit dosage form for a tablet, pill, and / or sachet for the powder (e.g., by filling, dosing, tableting, etc.) (block XB). The unit dosage form may be sized (e.g., the particular amount of dose determined) according to an appropriate serving for the treatment of a dysphagia patient. In some aspects, forming the pill, tablet, and / or sachet for the unit dosage form may further involve causing the powder to coalesce into a solid (e.g., a pill). Also or alternatively, forming the pill, tablet, and / or sachet may involve providing a casing to envelop a serving of powder that is appropriate for treatment of a dysphagia patient.

[0148] The process for reconstituting the final RTD from a powder or other format may comprise, or include as a step, reconstituting in an amount of water or other liquid (block xi). For example, the powder (or other format) may be reconstituted in an amount of water to reach a desirable or appropriate relaxation time in an appropriate preparation time. In some aspects, the desired relaxation time may be at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C). Also or alternatively, the desired preparation time (reconstituting in water or other liquid) may be between 1 and 20 minutes, preferably under 200 seconds and most preferably under 100 seconds to reach the desired relation time (X). The relaxation time can be measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted powder in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C .

[0149] The viability of the RTD product may be defined as having a relaxation time (A) greater than 10ms for a RTD product after one year of storage. It is contemplated that the powder or other format (gel, semi-liquid) may be stored for 12-18 months, and may also provide similar viability. The OMLC may be stored for 12-18 months, within a temperature range between 1°C and 40°C, preferably between 4°C and 6°C.

[0150] In some aspects, the reconstituted product (RTD) from powder or other may be kept for 4 hours at RT, or 24 hours in the fridge at 4°C, depending on microbiological constraints.

[0151] In some aspects, the thusly formed RTD beverage may be used to treat dysphagia patients (e.g., reconstituted from a dose, a gel, a tablet, or a powder to be used in an RTD beverage),or may be used for clinical trials. For example, the powder may be used for the convenient preparation of a beverage for treating dysphagia in patients. The powder can be provided to the consumer in a container (e.g., a sealed container) for reconstitution in the container and / or for allowing the user to pour the powder from the container into a drinking receptacle in which the powder is reconstituted. Non-limiting examples of suitable containers include bags, boxes, cartons, bottles, or combinations thereof. Preferred containers include a sachet / stick pack, i.e., a small disposable pouch, typically of flexible film such as cellophane or paper, preferably capable of being torn open at one or both ends, and containing one serving of the composition.

[0152] In another aspect, a method of treating a swallowing disorder in an individual having the swallowing disorder comprises administering to the individual a composition comprising a reconstituted, diluted powder comprising the extracted concentrated okra mucilage formed using the processes describe above. In a further aspect, a method of mitigating the risk of aspiration during swallowing of a composition in an individual having dysphagia comprises administering to the individual the composition, and the composition comprises the extracted concentrated okra mucilage formed using the processes describe above.

[0153] As previously discussed, one or more steps of the above described processes may be used to form a composition comprising the extracted concentrated okra mucilage. For example, the composition may comprise the okra mucilage concentrate or the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate before it is added to a beverage of choice to form the RTD beverage. Additionally or alternatively, the composition may comprise the powder (e.g., an instant concentrate powder) comprising the extracted concentrated mucilage from okra. In other aspects, the composition is in the form of the RTD beverage. The composition is preferably orally administrable, for example as one or more of a pharmaceutical formulation, a nutritional product, a dietary supplement, a functional food or a beverage product. The composition may exhibit or may characterize one or more properties. For example, the composition may have an okra dry matter concentration between 0.1 %wt to 5 %wt of the composition, preferably at 2 %wt of the composition. The composition may have a capillary break-up elongational rheometer (CaBER) measured relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds (preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C). The relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the composition in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER). In an embodiment, the composition may have a shear viscosity in a range of less than 400 mPas, preferablyless than 100 mPas at 20°C. In some aspects, the shear viscosity may be measured using a rotational rheometer at a shear rate of 50 s'1at 20°C preferably by applying a concentric cylinder shear gap geometry. In an embodiment, the resulting composition may have a pH between 2 and 8, preferably between 4.5 and 7.5.

[0154] It is contemplated that the thus formed compositions comprising the extracted concentrated okra mucilage can provide advantageous shear viscosities and relaxation times. Preferably, the shear viscosities are low and the relaxation times are long. Shear viscosity is a measurable rheological property. Shear viscosity is often referenced as viscosity and describes the reaction of a material to applied shear stress. In other words, shear stress is the ratio between "stress" (force per unit area) exerted on the surface of a fluid, in the lateral or horizontal direction, to the change in velocity of the fluid as you move down in the fluid (a "velocity gradient"). The shear viscosity confers the thickened sensation to a product. The shear viscosity of a product is determined by any method that can accurately control the shear rate applied to the product and simultaneously determine the shear stress or vice versa. Standard methods include the use of concentric cylinders or cone-and-plate geometries. Also or additionally a representative shear rate may be determined according to the Metzner-Otto method described above. Relaxation times can be determined in this context by a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometry (CaBER) as previously discussed. In some aspects, the shear viscosity of a product may be measured at the same temperature as the relaxation time.EXAMPLE

[0155] The following non-limiting example is an experimental example supporting one or more embodiments of the composition comprising an extracted concentrated okra mucilage, and methods of producing the same, provided by the present disclosure. The processes used in the experiments are in FIG. 1 and the results of the experiments are set forth in FIGS. 2-10

[0156] For example, FIG. 2 shows the maintenance of stability in the concentrated okra mucilage extract, measured by relaxation time (X), after various time periods (after 43 days, after 140 days, and after 365 days) under various conditions. The conditions may involve a combination of keeping the seeds in the okra during the process described above or freeing the okra from the seeds, with heat treating the mixture at 90°C for 10 minutes or not heat treating the mixture. As shown in FIG, 2, the sample where the okra were freed from the seeds and the mixture was heat treatedat 90°C for 10 minutes retained the highest stability (as measured by the relaxation time (A)) after at least 365 days of storage time.

[0157] FIG. 3 shows an example sterilization setup for the extract that can be applied for the processes described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, the mixture to be sterilized may be initially placed in a container from which a sample is drawn for heat treatment. The sample is drawn into a coil for a heated oil bath, representing a heat exchanger 1. The temperature of the sample before the oil bath is room temperature, the temperature of the oil bath is 150-175°C, the temperature of the sample inside the oil bath reaches ca. 135 to 145 °C, and the temperature of the sample after the oil bath is kept at this level to reach a treatment time under this temperature condition of 2 to 10 seconds, preferably 4-6 seconds. The temperature of the cooling bath, representing a heat exchanger 2 is typically below 5 °C and the temperature of the sample after the cooling bath is typically below 40°C. After the cooling bath, the sample may thus be rendered as sterilized. Achieved relaxation times for Okra Mucilage Liquid Concentrate (OMLC) can be kept as high as above 1000 milliseconds (see Example in Figure 4) which enables dilution to a relaxation time range such as between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds to between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds.

[0158] FIG. 4 shows resulting exemplary relaxation times of even larger than 1000 milliseconds after sterilization treatment in the claimed temperature and treatment time domains for two different okra species (species 1 : okra from Thailand; species 2: okra from Honduras (Clemson).

[0159] FIG. 5 shows the influence of extraction conditions on okra liquid yield based on okra samples that were freed from seeds. FIG. 6 shows the influence of extraction conditions on the dry mass based on the okra samples that were freed from seeds. Furthermore, FIGS. 7A and 7B show the influence of extraction conditions on relaxation time for both heat treated mixtures (7A(a), 7B(a)) and non-heat treated mixtures (7A(b), 7B(b)), based on the okra samples that were freed from seeds. The extraction conditions are based on measurements of extraction temperature (°C) and extraction time (h) 42 days after extraction in FIG. 7A and 205 days after extraction in FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 5, the okra liquid yield, measured in wt% increased as the extraction temperature increased. As shown in FIG. 6, the dry mass fraction, measured in wt% also increased as the extraction temperature but as well extraction time increased. However, as shown in FIG.7A, two domains of highest relaxation times were identified for heat treated samples at short extraction times (e.g. between 1 and 5 hours) and temperatures between 35 to 50°C, and at longer extraction times (e.g., between 12 and 22 hours) but temperatures below ca. 35°C.

[0160] In FIG. 7B (a) for heat treated samples after 205 days of storage the two domains of highest relaxation times as shown in FIG. 7A (a,b) can be still identified. In FIG. 7B(b) for non heat-treated samples the identification of these domains gets less pronounced or partially lost. From the comparison of FIGS. 7A(a,b) and 7B (a,b) it is clear that the applied heat treatment at 90°C for 10 minutes decreases the initial relaxation time values, but reduces the reduction over storage time significantly.

[0161] FIG.8 demonstrates the longevity of the relaxation time in the range of 200 to 400 milliseconds for the heat treated samples without seed and the adjustability to a certain relaxation time range upon dilution.

[0162] FIG. 9 shows the impact of protease addition for increasing the effective shelf life of various concentrated okra mucilage extract samples based on okra freed from seeds and treated under different conditions. The results of four samples in FIG. 9 based on the different treatment conditions include a first sample that is not heat treated, a second sample that is heat treated at 90 °C for 10 minutes, a third sample that is not heat treated but treated with protease, and a fourth sample that is heat treated at 90 °C for 10 minutes and treated with protease. As shown in FIG. 9, as storage time increased, the fourth sample, which was heat treated and treated with protease retained the most stability (as measured by relaxation time (X)). Thus, protease addition assists in increasing the effective shelf life.

[0163] FIG.10 demonstrates relaxation time (X), reconstitution time tu and dynamic viscosity r| (at a shear rate of 50 1 / s) characteristics for reconstituted okra powder examples of various total and okra solid contents.

[0164] It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 1

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of producing composition comprising extracted concentrated mucilage from okra, the method comprising at least one step selected from the group consisting of:(i) blanching fresh or frozen whole okra pods;(ii) cutting a plurality of okra pieces from okra pods;(iii) submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water;(iv) separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under an acting force or pressure selected from a group comprising: (a) a gravitational force, (b) a static pressure, (c) preferably, a centrifugal force, or (d) a combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force;(v) adding an excipient material to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate;(vi) homogenizing, by stirring, a mixture comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate and, optionally, the added excipient material;(vii) heat treating or sterilizing the mixture; and(viii) adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, an okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized mixture to a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: cutting the plurality of okra pieces from the okra pods, wherein the okra pods are fresh or at least one of frozen, dried, or blanched, wherein each okra piece has a length (thickness) between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm, and wherein the plurality of okra pieces is preferably freed of okra seeds.

3. The method of Claims 1 or 2, further comprising: blanching the fresh or frozen whole okra pods, wherein the blanching is performed at a temperature between 75°C and 95°C for a time period between 1 minute and 20 minutes.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: submerging the plurality of okra pieces in the water, preferably purified or ultrapure water, wherein the submerging is performed in an okra piece to water volume ratio between 1 : 5 and 5:1, preferably between 1 :1 to 1:3, for a time range between 0.5 hours and 24 hours, preferably between 1 hour and 6 hours, wherein a temperature of the water is adjusted between 4°C and 90°C, preferably between 20°C and 50°C.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of okra pieces is not submerged in the water, the method further comprising: separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under an acting force or pressure selected from a group comprising: a static pressure, a centrifugal force, or a combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration under the acting force or pressure selected from the group comprising: (a) the gravitational force, (b) the static pressure, (c) preferably, the centrifugal force, or (d) the combination of the static pressure and the centrifugal force, wherein separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate via filtration comprises: applying a sieve with a mesh size between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 2 mm through which the filtration is performed under gravity conditions and a static pressure difference between 1 bar absolute and 11 bar absolute, preferably between 2 bar absolute and 6 bar absolute, or under centrifugal acceleration conditions between 300g and 4000g, preferably between 500g and 3000g.

7. The method of any of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:adding the excipient material to the OMLC before or after the separation or to the okra mucilage concentrate, wherein the excipient material is preferably a watery solution, the excipient material containing between 1 % wt and 50 %wt of dry excipient mass, preferably between 5 % wt and 30 % wt of dry excipient mass, the addition resulting in a ratio of okra mucilage dry matter to dry excipient matter 1:25 to 5: 1.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: homogenizing the mixture comprising the okra mucilage liquid concentrate and, optionally, the added excipient material, wherein the homogenizing comprises:(a) stirring the mixture with stirrers at a revolutions per minute (rpm) range between 20 rpm and 500 rpm, preferably between 50 rpm and 200 rpm, wherein the mixture is stirred at a representative shear rate less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, wherein the representative shear rate is determined according to the Metzner-Otto method; or(b) periodically moving a disk with openings up and down in an axial direction inside a cylindrical vessel holding the mixture, wherein the disk with openings is periodically moved at an absolute shear rate (y. *) less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, wherein the absolute shear rate is determined based on similar numbers for an absolute wall shear rate in the openings and wherein the absolute wall shear rate (y.*) is determined using the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: heat treating the mixture, wherein the heat treating is performed at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: sterilizing the mixture, wherein the sterilization is performed at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds, and preferably at an absolute wall shearrate (y.*) below 250 1 / s, preferably below 100 1 / s and wherein the absolute wall shear rate (y.*) is determined using the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising: dispersing gas into the okra mucilage liquid concentrate by membrane foaming, preferably dynamically enhanced membrane foaming, by cross-flowing and dispersing the gas through membrane pores of a membrane, the membrane pores having a pore size less than or equal to 50 microns, preferably less than or equal to 2 microns; and detaching bubbles of the gas from a surface of the membrane at a wall shear rate measured from a gap between the membrane and a housing of less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, within short gap residence time of less than or equal to 5 seconds, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 seconds, at a temperature below 60°C, preferably between 1°C and 20°C.

12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: dispersing gas into the okra mucilage liquid concentrate by: dissolving pressurized gas, preferably CO2, at an elevated static pressure of more than 2 bar, preferably between 2 bar and 30 bar, within a temperature between 1°C and 20°C, preferably between 5°C and 10°C; and releasing the dissolved gas under micro-foam formation upon pressure release or temperature increase during a subsequent drying step.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising: separating the okra mucilage liquid concentrate from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration, wherein the separation of the okra mucilage via filtration preferably comprises: separating the okra mucilage via hyperbaric filtration centrifugation by applying an acceleration force between 300 g and 4000 g, preferably between 500 g and 3000 g and applying a superimposed static pressure of at most 11 bar absolute.

14. The method of any of claims 1 to 13, further comprising: aseptically filling at least a portion of an RTD beverage with the adjusted okra mucilage concentrate.

15. The method of any of claim 1 to 13, further comprising: heat treating the mixture and either: spray drying the heat treated mixture, preferably under an acting partial vacuum of less than or equal to 500 mbar, preferably less than or equal to 100 mbar, wherein spray drops of the heat treated mixture do not exceed a surface temperature of 60°C; or freeze drying or vacuum drying the heat-treated mixture, preferably microwave assisted vacuum drying the heat-treated mixture, at a temperature less than or equal to 60°C, and at a partial vacuum of less than or equal to 500 mbar, preferably between 100 mbar and 300 mbar, in case of spray drying resulting in a powder with mean particle diameter (median of volume distribution xso,3 Particle) smaller than 200 micrometers, in case of freeze drying or vacuum drying and subsequent milling and classifying treatment resulting in a powder with mean particle size below 2.5 millimeters, preferably below 200 micrometers, in case of a porous freeze dried or vacuum dried particle structure with mean particle diameter (xso,3 Particle) of at least five times larger than the mean pore diameter (xso,3 Pore); and reconstituting the powder in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted powder in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

16. The method of any of claims 1 to 13 and 15, wherein the mixture is not heat treated or sterilized, or only heat treated, the method further comprising: drying and powderizing the mixture, resulting in a powder; and reconstituting the powder in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured from a filamentformed from the reconstituted powder in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

17. The method of any of claims 15 and 16, wherein the drying comprises freeze drying or vacuum or vacuum spray drying at a temperature below 60°C.

18. The method of any of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the powderizing comprises milling, preferably by applying a pin-, ball- or jet mill under a controlled temperature condition below 60°C.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the plurality of okra pieces is not submerged in water, the method further comprising: heat treating or sterilizing the mixture; packaging and storing an okra mucilage concentrate from the heat treated or sterilized mixture; and prior to or at a time of preparing an RTD beverage, adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, the okra mucilage concentration to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the plurality of okra pieces is not submerged in water, wherein the excipient material is not added to the okra mucilage liquid concentrate, the method further comprising: heat treating or sterilizing the mixture, the mixture not including the excipient material; packaging and storing an okra mucilage concentrate from the heat treated or sterilized mixture; prior to or at a time of preparing an RTD beverage, adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, the okra mucilage concentration to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and mostpreferably between 100 and 200 milliseconds the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the mixture in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C .

21. A composition comprising an extracted concentrated okra mucilage, the composition optionally further comprising an excipient, wherein the composition, after adjusted reconstitution and dilution, has a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the composition in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER)at 20°C.

22. The composition of claim 21, wherein the relaxation time provided by the filament formed from the composition after adjusted reconstitution and dilution, in the Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER), maintains the claimed X range for a time period of at least 1 year under storage within a temperature range between 1°C and 40°C, preferably between 4°C and 6°C.

23. The composition of claim 21 or 22, wherein the composition comprises okra dry matter content that is between 0.1 %wt and 5.0 %wt of the composition, preferably between 1.0 %wt and 2.0 %wt of the composition, most preferably between 0.1 %wt and 0.8 % wt, wherein the composition after adjusted reconstitution and dilution has a shear viscosity less than or equal to 400 mPas, preferably less than or equal to 100 mPas, wherein the shear viscosity is measured at a shear rate of 50 1 / s in a rotational rheometer, preferably by applying a concentric cylinder shear gap geometry.

24. The composition of any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the composition has a pH between 2 and 8, preferably between 4.5 and 7.5.

25. The composition of any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the composition is formed by at least one step selected from a group consisting of:(i) cutting a plurality of okra pieces from fresh or at least one of frozen, dried, or blanched okra pods,wherein, if the okra pods are blanched, the blanching is performed at a temperature between 75°C and 95°C for a time period between 1 minute and 20 minutes, wherein each okra piece has a thickness between 2 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 15 mm, and wherein the okra pieces are preferably freed from the okra seeds;(ii) submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water, preferably purified or ultrapure water, resulting in an okra piece to water volume ratio between 1 :5 and 5: 1, preferably between 1: 1 and 1:3, for a time period between 0.5 hours and 24 hours, preferably between 1 hour and 6 hours, wherein the water temperature is adjusted between 4°C and 90°C, preferably between 20°C and 50°C;(iii) separating okra mucilage liquid concentrate (OMLC) from the plurality of okra pieces by filtration acting under a pressure force or a centrifugal force or a combination of these, wherein the separating comprises: applying a sieve with a mesh size between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 2mm, through which the filtration is performed, wherein, if the filtration is acting under the pressure force, the pressure is between 1 bar absolute and 11 bar absolute, preferably between 2 bar absolute and 6 bar absolute, wherein, if the filtration is acting under a centrifugal force, the centrifugal force is between 300 g and 4000 g, preferably between 500 g and 3000 g;(iv) adding the excipient material to the OMLC after itsseparation or to the okra mucilage concentrate, wherein the excipient material is preferably a watery solution, the excipient material containing between 1 %wt and 50 %wt of dry excipient mass, the addition resulting in a ratio of okra mucilage dry matter to dry excipient matter between 1:500 to 5:1, preferably from 1:25 to 5: 1;(v) homogenizing the OMLC by: (a) stirring the OMLC at a revolutions per minute (rpm) range between 20 rpm and 500 rpm, preferably between 50 rpm and 200 rpm, wherein during homogenization the OMLC is subjected to a representative shear rate less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s, determined according to the Metzner-Otto method; or (b) periodically moving a disk with openings up and down along an axial direction within a cylindrical vessel holding the OMLC, wherein the homogenized OMLC is subjected to an absolute shear rate (y. *) less than or equal to 500 1 / s, preferably less than or equal to 250 1 / s,determined based on similar numbers for an absolute wall shear rate in the openings and wherein the absolute wall shear rate (y.*) is determined using the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach.;(vi) heat treating or sterilizing the OMLC, wherein the heat treating occurs at a temperature between 85°C and 95°C, preferably at 90°C, for a time period between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, preferably between 10 minutes and 15 minutes, and wherein the sterilizing occurs at a temperature between 120°C and 150°C, preferably between 135°C and 145°C, for a time period between 2 seconds and 10 seconds, preferably between 4 seconds and 6 seconds; and(vii) adjusting, by (a) dilution or (b) evaporation under partial vacuum, an okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized OMLC to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 and 200 milliseconds, the relaxation time measured for a filament formed from the heat treated or sterilized okra mucilage liquid concentrate in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

26. The composition of any of the claims 21 to 25, wherein the composition is formed by: adding the excipient to the OMLC; and after adjusting the okra mucilage concentration in the heat treated or sterilized OMLC, packaging and storing the okra mucilage composition for a ready to drink (RTD) beverage, wherein the formation of the composition does not include a step of submerging the plurality of okra pieces in water.

27. The composition of any of the claims 21 to 26, wherein the composition is formed by: adding the excipient to the OMLC; heat treating the OMLC for microbial reduction; drying and powderizing the heat treated OMLC, resulting in a powder; and at the point of application, reconstituting the powder in an amount of water to reach a relaxation time of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C, the relaxation time measured from a filament formed from the reconstituted powder in a Capillary Breakup Extensional Rheometer (CaBER) at 20°C.

28. The composition of any of the claims 21 to 27, wherein the composition is formed by: foaming and drying the extracted concentrated OMLC to form an okra mucilage powder (OMP), wherein the OMP is porous with open pores having an average pore size between 1 micron and 500 microns, preferably between 10 microns and 150 microns, more preferably smaller than 50 microns, wherein the OMP suck water or a watery beverage into the open pores thus supporting fast reconstitution and re-dispersing between 1 and 20 minutes, preferably under 200 seconds and most preferably under 100 seconds.

29. The composition of any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the composition is in a form of a Ready To Drink (RTD) beverage.

30. The composition of any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the composition is in a form of a concentrate or an instant powder formulated for addition of a diluent to prepare a beverage for treating dysphagia in a patient in need thereof.

31. A method of treating a swallowing disorder in a subject, the method comprising: orally administering, to the subject, a composition comprising extracted okra mucilage selected from the group consisting of any of those claimed in any one of Claim 21 to Claim 30.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the composition comprising the extracted concentrated okra mucilage is produced via a method selected from the group consisting any of the methods claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

33. The method according to the claims 31 or 32, wherein the swallowing disorder is dysphagia.

34. A method according to any of the claims 31 to 33 of promoting safe swallowing of a nutritional product in a subject in need of same, the method comprising: orally administering, to the subject, a composition comprising extracted okra mucilage selected from the group consisting of any of those in any one of Claim 19 to Claim 28; wherein promoting safe swallowing decreases the risk of at least one of:aspiration of the nutritional product; penetration of the nutritional product; pneumonia; or dysphagia.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the composition comprising the extracted okra mucilage is produced via a method selected from the group consisting any of the methods claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

36. Use of the composition of any one of Claim 21 to Claim 30 to treat a swallowing disorder via physiological intervention in an individual having the swallowing disorder, preferably by orally administering to the individual a tailored product that delivers a relaxation time to the individual of at least 10 milliseconds, preferably between 50 milliseconds and 400 milliseconds, and most preferably between 100 milliseconds and 200 milliseconds at 20°C either directly without dilution, preferably as a RTD beverage, or upon appropriate preparation dilution.

37. A device configured for continuous sterilization by a process comprising: transferring a liquid okra mucilage concentrate from a first container to a second container by a pressure difference Ap between the first and second containers, wherein the pressure difference Ap is regulated to compensate for a hydrostatic pressure difference between the first and second containers and to adjust an effective pressure difference Ap for the transferring to not exceed a critical wall shear rate threshold of 250 1 / s, preferably of 100 1 / s determined using the Rabinowitsch-Weissenberg approach, while fulfilling required residence time conditions at sterilization temperature.

38. The device of Claim 37, which is pump and / or valve-free (PVF).

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