Low-calorie food compositions

Abstract

A bulking agent comprising a cellodextrin material and a carbohydrate sweetener wherein the cellodextrin material comprises a main cellodextrin having a DP of at least 4.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bulking agent, a cellodextrin material, and methods of manufacturing the cellodextrin material.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Obesity is a growing problem in the world. According to the World Health Organization website (http: / / www.who.int / mediacentre / factsheets / fs311 / en / factsheet 113, dated March 2013), worldwide obesity has nearly doubled since 1980.

[0003] There is a need, therefore, to produce low calorific alternatives to high calorific food products. Confectionery products such as chocolate products (whether with or without fillings) typically have a relative high calorific content compared to other foods. There is a desire from consumers to have lower calorific alternatives to such confectionery products yet with the taste and mouth-feel of the original product.

[0004] Many attempts have been made to replace sucrose in such products with other less calorific alternatives. Examples include fructose, inulin, erythritol and cellobiose.

[0005] Cellobiose belongs to a group of compounds called cellooligosaccharides or cellodextrins. Cellodextrins / cellooligosaccharides are intermediate products created upon the breakdown, and in particular the enzymatic breakdown or acid mediated breakdown, of cellulose to glucose. Cellodextrins exist in various forms and are often classified in accordance with their degree of polymerisation (DP), the DP indicating the number of glucose monomers present in the cellodextrin. Common names for some of these cellodextrins include: cellobiose (DP=2), cellotriose (DP=3), cellotetraose (DP=4), cellopentaose (DP=5), cellohexaose (DP=6). Depending upon their method of manufacture, they may be in the form of mixtures. Cellodextrin materials can include one or more of these cellodextrin forms. The average DP of a cellodextrin material depends on the types and amounts of the cellodextrin forms in the cellodextrin material.

[0006] Such compounds can be made in various ways such as biosynthesis from monomers, enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose as well as chemical synthesis.

[0007] Cellobiose has been suggested as a prebiotic compound because although mostly non-digestable by humans due to the B-1,4 linkage present, it is thought to be readily fermented by bacteria in our digestive system. Prebiotics are suggested to have health benefits by encouraging growth of desirable bacteria in our gut. Given its non-digestibility, cellobiose has also been suggested as a low calorie sugar replacer, partly due to its sweetness, but also because of its ability to act as a bulking agent. There remains a need for alternative low- calorie sugar alternatives, particularly for use in confectionery products such as chocolate.

[0008] Prebiotics such as cellobiose encourage gut bacteria to grow and ferment. This is generally regarded as being beneficial since many of the gut bacteria are 'friendly bacteria' providing positive health effects.

[0009] Since cellobiose is virtually non-digestible to humans, it is also suggested as a low-calorie sugar alternative.

[0010] Some food compositions containing cellodextrins and including some higher (greater than 3) DP values have been described in the art, for example in EP-345199 or JP2009125064. Typically, however, the higher DP cellodextrin within a single composition represents a minor amount (less than 50% w / w and typically less than 20%w / w) of the total cellodextrin content, and cellobiose will generally be present as a preferred component. JP2010200715A discloses a baked confectionery which is obtained by heating and baking dough containing, based on the total solid weight of a raw material, 10-30 mass% of protein, 1-30 mass% of lipid, and 50-89 mass% of a carbohydrate. In the baked confectionery, the carbohydrate contains 1-10 mass% of a cellooligosaccharide. Furthermore, the cellooligosaccharide contains not less than 70 mass% of cellobiose, and not more than 30 mass% of the sum total of cellotriose, cellotetraose, cellopentaose, and cellohexaose. EP1930012A1 discloses a cellooligosaccharide composition comprising, as the main ingredient, at least one cellooligosaccharide selected from the group consisting of cellobiose, cellotriose, cellotetraose, cellopentaose and cellohexaose, which is in the powdery form having an average L / D value of 3.0 or lower, a bulk density of 0.80 g / mL or lower and an angle of repose of 60° or lower. JP2009142187A discloses candy containing cellooligosaccharides, having low calorie. JP2009100658A discloses meringue containing cellooligosaccharide and albumen, having low calories. JP2001112496A discloses a method for producing cellooligosaccharide.

[0011] Contrary to the general understanding in the art, the applicants have found that cellobiose has undesirable side effects when used in food compositions and in particular solid or semi- solid foodstuffs. Specifically, the undesirable side effects include stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Such unpleasant side effects were not observed to such a great degree when the cellobiose was administered to humans as a drink (Nakamura, Nutrition 20 (2004) 979-983).SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The applicants have developed novel cellodextrin compositions for food use.

[0013] In the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bulking agent comprising a cellodextrin material and a carbohydrate sweetener, wherein the cellodextrin material comprises a principal cellodextrin with a DP of at least 4, wherein the principal cellodextrin is a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins.

[0014] As used herein, "principal cellodextrin" is defined as a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material comprising it in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins. By selecting a DP value of at least 4, the cellodextrin material of the invention comprises a principal cellodextrin that is not cellobiose or cellotriose.

[0015] By incorporating cellodextrin material where at least a substantial proportion of the cellodextrin material has a DP of 4 or more, unpleasant side effects are reduced. Without being bound by theory, this may be due to the fact that gut bacteria are less able to ferment the higher DP cellodextrins and therefore, the probiotic effect is reduced or eliminated. In a particular embodiment, the cellodextrin material does not contain cellobiose, and in particular does not contain cellobiose or cellotriose.

[0016] In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the principal cellodextrin of the cellodextrin material has a DP value of between 4 to 8 inclusive. For example, in some embodiments, the principal cellodextrin is selected from cellotetraose, cellopentaose, cellohexaose.

[0017] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cellodextrin material comprising a principal cellodextrin with a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin, wherein the principal cellodextrin is a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins. Suitably the further cellodextrin is not cellobiose, and in particular also has a DP value of at least 4.

[0018] In a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the cellodextrin material of the second aspect, which comprises mixing together a principal cellodextrin with a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin. The cellodextrin material is suitably prepared by mixing the required cellodextrin components in pure form, in the required amounts. This method has the advantage of allowing maximal control and flexibility in the preparation. Thus, a principal cellodextrin, having a DP value of at least 4, is chosen and is optionally mixed with one or more other cellodextrins such that it is present in the resulting material in an amount in excess of 50%w / w.

[0019] In a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing the cellodextrin material of the second aspect, which comprises hydrolysis of cellulose under conditions in which a cellodextrin composition comprising a principal cellodextrin have a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin is formed, for example enzymatic or acid hydrolysis of cellulose under conditions which result in the production of a cellodextrin material as defined herein. The conditions used will vary depending upon various factors such as the nature of any enzymes or chemicals used in the hydrolysis, the temperatures used and the time that the hydrolysis reaction is continued. These may be determined by routine methods.

[0020] The resulting cellodextrin material may be used to prepare a food composition and / or a food product.

[0021] For ease of use in food production, the cellodextrin material may be formulated as a 'bulking agent'. Convenient bulking agents will contain an additional ingredient required in the production of a particular food product in the required ratio. Suitable ratios of cellodextrin material:additional ingredient will vary depending upon the nature of the additional ingredient and the desired result, but may typically be in the range of from 2:8 to 9: 1. In particular the additional ingredient would be a carbohydrate sweetener.

[0022] In the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a bulking agent comprising a cellodextrin material and a carbohydrate sweetener, wherein the cellodextrin material comprises a principal cellodextrin with a DP of at least 4, wherein the principal cellodextrin is a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins. In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the carbohydrate sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, dextrose, maltose, fructose, galactose, corn syrup solids, lactose, glucose syrup solids, invert sugar, hydrolyzed lactose, honey, maple sugar, brown sugar, molasses, sorbitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, maltitol, polydextrose, maltodextrin, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the carbohydrate sweetener is a high intensity sweetener. More preferably, the high intensity sweetener is selected from the group consisting of aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-K, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, sucralose, alitame, stevia sweeteners, steviosides, rebaudiosides, glycyrrhizin, thaumatin, and combinations thereof.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the bulking agent comprises a cellodextrin material comprising a cellodextrin selected from the group consisting of cellotetraose, cellopentaose, cellohexaose, and mixtures thereof, and a carbohydrate sweetener. In another embodiment, the carbohydrate sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, dextrose, maltose, fructose, galactose, corn syrup solids, lactose, glucose syrup solids, invert sugar, hydrolyzed lactose, honey, maple sugar, brown sugar, molasses, sorbitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, maltitol, polydextrose, maltodextrin, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the carbohydrate sweetener is a high intensity sweetener. More preferably, the high intensity sweetener is selected from the group consisting of aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-K, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, sucralose, alitame, stevia sweeteners, steviosides, rebaudiosides, glycyrrhizin, thaumatin, and combinations thereof.

[0024] In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, more than 50% of the cellodextrins have a DP of at least 4. In one example, 50% of the cellodextrins have a DP of between 4 to 8 inclusive.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As used herein, the expression "food composition" does not include drinks or beverages, but rather, a food composition is typically something more solid or semi-solid in character. Examples of food compositions are mixtures of ingredients for use in the production of food products such as confectionery products and cakes and biscuits. The food composition is intended to be suitable for human or mammalian consumption.

[0026] Cellodextrin and cellooligosaccharides are used interchangeably in the art to describe reaction intermediates produced during the hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose. Hence, they have the same basic chemical structure as cellulose but with shorter chain lengths. Such molecules can be produced in a variety of ways, including but not limited to (bio)synthesis from monomers, chemical lysis of cellulose or enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. Most anaeraobic bacteria can produce cellodextrins by means of its "cellulosome" (an amalgamation of cellulolytic enzymes on the outside of a cell) wherein an endoglucanase first cuts the crystalline cellulose in an amorphous zone and exoglucanases subsequently cleave these large insoluble chunks of cellulose into smaller, soluble cellodextrins which can be used by the cell.

[0027] The terms "cellodextrin" and "cellooligosaccharide", as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any products that can be created during the breakdown of cellulose to glucose, regardless of the manner in which these breakdown products are produced.

[0028] Suitable cellodextrins for the performance of this invention include but are not limited to cellotetraose, cellopentaose, cellohexaose and mixtures thereof. Such compounds can be purchased from suppliers such as Carbosynth Limited (UK). Methods of making such cellodextrins are well known in the art, for example, methods of making cellodextrins are described in US2004 / 0217063.

[0029] As used herein, references to the cellodextrin 'replacing' all the sugar or some of the sugar found in a food composition or food product means that some or all of the sugar typically found in such a food composition or product is substituted with a cellodextrin material as described herein. For example, a particular chocolate bar recipe will have a certain amount of sugar listed. If the amount of sugar is decreased or eliminated and cellodextrin is used in the recipe instead, then this is a situation where replacement has occurred. Since the perceived sweetness of 1g of sugar and 1g of a particular cellodextrin is not the same, then this phrase is not intended to be limited to a 1:1 replacement of sugar with cellodextrin. Instead, if the percentage of sugar used is decreased and some cellodextrin is used to increase the sweetness of the food product, then this would fall within the definition. This definition also includes scenarios where cellodextrin is added to the food composition in combination with a sweetener.

[0030] The definition of "confectionery product" is well-understood by a skilled person. Included in "confectionery product" as used herein are candies, chocolate, non-standardized chocolate, filled chocolate products (e.g. Snickers ™< ), caramels, and honeycomb such as is found in e.g. Crunchie ™< and nougat.

[0031] The term "chocolate" is intended to refer to all chocolate or chocolate-like compositions with a fat phase or fat-like composition whether used in isolation, as a coating or chocolate couverture etc. The term is intended, for example, to include standardized and non- standardized chocolates, i.e., including chocolates with compositions conforming to the U.S. Standards Of Identity (SOI) and compositions not conforming to the U.S. Standards Of Identity, respectively, including dark chocolate, baking chocolate, milk chocolate, sweet chocolate, semi-sweet cliocolate, buttermilk chocolate, skim-milk chocolate, mixed dairy product chocolate, low fat chocolate, white chocolate, aerated chocolates, compound coatings, non-standardized chocolates and chocolate-like compositions, unless specifically identified otherwise. Chocolate herein also includes those containing crumb solids or solids fully or partially made by a crumb process.

[0032] Non-standardized chocolates are those chocolates which have compositions which fall outside the specified ranges of the standardized chocolates. Non-standardized chocolates result when, for example, the nutritive carbohydrate sweetener is replaced partially or completely; or when the cocoa butter or milkfat are replaced partially or completely; or when components that have flavors that imitate milk, butter or chocolate are added or other additions or deletions in formula are made outside the FDA standards of identity of chocolate or combinations thereof.

[0033] As used herein, "sweetener" is defined as anything that is present in a food composition that imparts a quality of sweetness to the food composition. Such sweetness can be detected by the consumer of the food composition. Examples of such sweeteners include sucrose, sugar alcohols and high intensity sweeteners such as sucralose. In one embodiment, the sweetener is not sucrose.

[0034] The invention will now be particularly described by way of example.EXAMPLESComparative Example 1 - chocolate containing cellobiose - testing

[0035] A panel of 10 assessors were used to evaluate sensory differences between cellobiose containing (2 levels; 75% and 100% sucrose substitution) and standard chocolate.Test Design

[0036] The maximum amount of cellobiose consumed during one 3 hour sensory session was set at 20g and 8g respectively (100% cellobiose sample contained 49.5g cellobiose / 100g, 75% cellobiose sample contained 34.7g / 100g and 60% inulin sample contained 29.7g inulin / 100g).

[0037] All testing was carried out at room temperature in an air conditioned room and in individual booths. Data was collected using Fizz Network software (Biosystemes, France).

[0038] For each attribute, panelists were presented with all samples (~3.5g sample size) allowing comparative assessment. Panelists first determined rank order and then assigned ratings using separate line scales for each sample / attribute.

[0039] All samples were presented in 2oz plastic pots labelled with random 3 digit codes. Panelists were provided with unsalted cracker (Rakusen, U.K.), green apple slices and mineral water (Evian, France) for palate cleansing. Attributes were assessed in blocks of 2 followed by 15mins rest breaks.Data Analysis

[0040] Data was examined at an individual panelist level initially to assess panel performance. The ability of the panelists to discriminate between the samples was examined using coefficient of variance(CV) ANOVA data (indicating reproducibility of panelists replicate intensity scores) plotted against probability (level of discrimination between products). Final panel results were analyzed using Friedman Test for rank data and 2 way ANOVA (factors; sample and judge) for rating data, using Fizz software (Biosystemes, France). Significant differences between samples (p<0.05) were evaluated post hoc using Tukey's HSD.Results and Discussion Gastro-intestinal symptoms

[0041] A number of gastro-intestinal symptoms were reported by the panelists in the 24 hours following the sensory sessions, the most common being flatulence (10 / 10 on at least 1 occasion) and bowel sounds (8 / 10 on at least 1 occasion). Some degree of abominable discomfort was reported by 7 / 10 panelists on 1 or more occasions and 5 out of the 10 panelists suffered diarrhea following 1 or more sessions. A summary of reported GI symptoms, together with severity ranges, is shown in Table 1. A previous tolerability study carried out using cellobiose (H-09-2011) examined GI effects when cellobiose was delivered in a water based solution and used only male subjects aged between 18-35yrs. The number and severity of symptoms seen in this study was not expected given the previous tolerability results where cellobiose was consumed as a drink (10, 20, 30 or 50g of cellobiose was dissolved in 200 ml of hot water and allowed to cool to room temperature overnight). In that study (data not shown), mild or no abdominal symptoms were reported by the volunteers after receiving 10g and 20g of cellobiose. With the consumption of 30g, 4 people (31%) experienced short duration abdominal pain (ranging in severity from 1 to 3 out of 5), 2 people (15%) reported mild flatulence (severity 1 out of 5) and one person reported this at a severity of 3 out of 5. After the 50g dose, 1 person had a single episode of diarrhea 2 h after consuming the cellobiose and 1 reported diarrhea in the first 24h. Six subjects (46%) reported flatulence (range 1-4 out of 5), and 4 experienced abdominal pain (severity between 1-2 out of 5). Three quarters of subjects were happy to take part in future studies involving the ingestion of cellobiose, even at the highest dose.Example 2 Recipe examples

[0042] Below are examples of recipes comprising the cellodextrin materials of invention that could be carried out by a skilled person. Methods of making the chocolate or caramel etc. (without cellodextrins) are well known to skilled artisans and can also be found in textbooks such as Chocolate, Cocoa and Confectionery, Bernard W. Minifie third edition, which is incorporated herein by reference. The substitution of sucrose in such methods with cellodextrin could be readily accomplished by a skilled artisan when furnished with the information described herein.Total substitution of sucrose with cellodextrins Dry mix:

[0043] Crumb powder: example recipes

[0044] Crumb chocolate made with the crumb powders:

[0045] Partial substitution of sucrose with cellodextrins Dry mix: 75% of sucrose replaced bycellodextrins

[0046] Crumb powder: 75% of sucrose replaced by cellodextrins

[0047] Crumb chocolate made with the crumb powders:

[0048] Caramel

[0049] This formulation is cooked so that 15% water remains in the cooked caramel.

Claims

1. A bulking agent comprising a cellodextrin material and a carbohydrate sweetener, wherein the cellodextrin material comprises a principal cellodextrin with a DP of at least 4, wherein the principal cellodextrin is a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins.

2. The bulking agent of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate sweetener is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, dextrose, maltose, fructose, galactose, corn syrup solids, lactose, glucose syrup solids, invert sugar, hydrolyzed lactose, honey, maple sugar, brown sugar, molasses, sorbitol, hydrogenated isomaltulose, mannitol, xylitol, lactitol, erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, maltitol, polydextrose, maltodextrin, and combinations thereof.

3. The bulking agent of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate sweetener is a high intensity sweetener.

4. The bulking agent of claim 3, wherein the high intensity sweetener is selected from the group consisting of aspartame, cyclamates, saccharin, acesulfame-K, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, sucralose, alitame, stevia sweeteners, steviosides, rebaudiosides, glycyrrhizin, thaumatin, and combinations thereof.

5. The bulking agent of claim 1, wherein the principal cellodextrin has a DP value of from 4 to 8 inclusive.

6. The bulking agent of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellodextrin material does not contain cellobiose.

7. The bulking agent of claim 6, wherein the cellodextrin material does not contain cellobiose and cellotriose.

8. The bulking agent of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cellodextrin material comprises a cellodextrin selected from the group consisting of cellotetraose, cellopentaose, cellohexaose, and mixtures thereof.

9. A cellodextrin material comprising a principal cellodextrin with a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin, wherein the principal cellodextrin is a single cellodextrin form which is present in the cellodextrin material in an amount of more than 50% weight by weight of the total weight of cellodextrins.

10. The cellodextrin material according to claim 9, wherein the further cellodextrin is not cellobiose and / or the said further cellodextrin also has a DP value of at least 4.

11. A method of manufacturing a cellodextrin material according to claim 9 or 10, which comprises mixing together a principal cellodextrin with a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin.

12. A method of manufacturing a cellodextrin material according to claim 9 or 10, which comprises hydrolysis of cellulose under conditions in which a cellodextrin composition comprising a principal cellodextrin have a degree of polymerisation (DP) value of at least 4 and at least one further cellodextrin is formed.