Compositions Containing Glucose and Hemicellulose and Their Use

Abstract

To provide compositions comprising glucose and hemicellulose, particularly as a food ingredient or as sweeteners or additives for orally consumed products.SOLUTION: A sweetener composition comprises: about 5% to about 95% by dry weight of glucose; and about 5% to about 95% by dry weight of a purified hemicellulose. The purified hemicellulose composition comprises: about 82% to about 92% by dry weight of xylan; about 8% to about 9% by dry weight of xylo-oligosaccharide; and about 4% to about 5% by dry weight of xylose.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application No. 62 / 669,684, filed May 10, 2018. The disclosure of this prior application is considered a part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This description relates to compositions containing glucose and hemicellulose, and particularly to their use as sweeteners or additives for food ingredients or products consumed orally.

Background Art

[0003] Additives and sweeteners are used in the manufacture of foods and beverages and in other items consumed, such as pharmaceuticals and supplements. Many sweeteners used in the manufacture of such products are derived from natural sources. These natural sugars and their precursors can be selected and combined to impart desired properties to a particular product. For example, sugars obtained by hydrolysis of corn starch are commonly used in the food and beverage industries to impart sweetness, but can also impart other characteristics, such as bulk and texture, to foods or beverages.

[0004] The processing of starch into sugar typically involves enzymatic reactions that can include the hydrolysis of starch to glucose and the isomerization of glucose to fructose. Through these processes, both glucose and fructose, the components of sucrose, can be produced from starch. By varying the degree of processing under these reactions, syrups with various viscosities, sweetness levels, and other functional specifications can be produced from starch. The syrup can also be concentrated or crystallized to form a dried additive product. The resulting sweeteners can be classified in various ways, for example, by a measure such as dextrose equivalent (DE). The dextrose equivalent (DE) is a measure of the amount of reducing sugar present in a sugar product, based on dextrose, expressed as a percentage on a dry weight basis.

[0005] Glucose syrup sweeteners of various DEs, including DE42 and DE63 syrups, are commercially available. These sweeteners are used in a wide variety of manufactured products that rely on certain chemical and physical properties provided by the sweetener, such as sweetness and viscosity. Replacing such sweeteners in products manufactured for commercial use can be difficult because, in addition to providing a sweet flavor, these sweeteners can also impart bulk, viscosity, and other properties to the product. Syrups with relatively low DEs can be produced by incomplete or partial hydrolysis of starch, resulting in a mixture of starch and glucose. The degree of hydrolysis can be controlled to produce a product with a specific DE for a particular application.

[0006] High potency sweeteners have been the subject of extensive research for use in reduced calorie foods and beverage products. In the development of such products, many difficulties have been faced, including concerns about health and safety, or off-flavors, such as metallic or overly sweet flavors. Another obstacle faced in the manufacture of high potency sweeteners is that such products typically have very different properties with respect to bulk and viscosity compared to sugar compositions having equivalent sweetness. These differences can be problematic when attempting to incorporate high potency sweeteners into existing cooking methods or products, as the texture of the product may change significantly even if the same degree of sweetness is obtained.

[0007] Prebiotic fibers are indigestible portions of food that pass through the small intestine without being digested and are fermented when they reach the colon. The fermentation process can help nourish beneficial bacterial colonies in the digestive tract and increase the number of desirable bacteria in the digestive system, thereby reducing the risk of certain diseases and improving overall health. Fiber syrups obtained from plant sources can serve as a source of prebiotic fibers. The fiber syrup may contain isomaltooligosaccharides, protected starch, polydextrose, beta-glucan, and / or other types of soluble fiber. The fiber syrup may also contain naturally occurring or added sweeteners. Since the long-chain fibers are not easily digested and pass through the intestinal tract, the fiber syrup can be used for bulking in calorie-reduced products. Soluble fiber in the diet can improve digestion by attracting water into the intestine. It can also create a feeling of fullness, prevent blood sugar and insulin spikes, thereby reducing or preventing a strong craving for food and the intake of inappropriate foods or inappropriate amounts of food.

[0008] The production of sugars, such as glucose, from cellulosic biomass has been the subject of extensive research and development. Several different methods for converting cellulosic biomass into sugars are known in the art. They generally include a pretreatment step of physically and / or chemically changing the cellulosic biomass to cleave the sugar structure of the polymers contained in the cellulosic biomass, and an enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis step of decomposing the polymeric sugars into monomeric sugars.

[0009] Foods and beverages with a relatively low glycemic index may offer health benefits in the management of blood glucose and insulin levels, thereby potentially reducing the risk of heart disease and / or diabetes. Foods with a relatively low glycemic index may also be useful in appetite control and weight loss. Foods containing soluble fiber can help lower total cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] There is a need for alternative sweetening products or food ingredients that have a lower calorie content and / or a lower glycemic index, yet still provide a similar level of sweetness and similar bulk and / or viscosity characteristics as sugar or corn syrup.

[0011] There is also a need for alternative sweetening products that contain soluble fiber and / or ingredients that can act as prebiotics.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] It has been found that a sweetening composition containing glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan can be prepared. Furthermore, it has been found that such compositions can be prepared in various ratios to provide compositions with various sweetness and viscous or bulking properties.

[0013] In one aspect, a sweetener composition is provided that includes glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In a further aspect, the glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan are obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. In certain embodiments, the glucose is obtained from cellulose, and the xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan are obtained from hemicellulose. In a further aspect, a sweetener composition is provided that includes glucose and purified hemicellulose.

[0014] In a further aspect, by varying the ratios of glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan, compositions having various degrees of sweetness and viscosity or bulking properties can be obtained. In certain embodiments, such characteristics can be selected to mimic existing commercially available sweeteners, for example, starch-derived sweeteners.

[0015] In another aspect, a method for preparing a sweetener composition from lignocellulosic biomass, comprising the step of obtaining glucose, the step of obtaining purified hemicellulose, and the step of combining the glucose and the purified hemicellulose is provided.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the purified hemicellulose includes a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In still further embodiments, the glucose is obtained from cellulose. In yet another embodiment, the glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan are obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. In a further embodiment, the glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan are obtained from the same lignocellulosic biomass source.

[0017] In one embodiment, the proportions of glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan are selected such that the desired properties are obtained. The properties can include degree of sweetness, DE value, viscosity, bulk, dietary fiber, soluble fiber, or calories.

[0018] In another aspect, there is provided the use of the above-described sweetener composition for sweetening a food or beverage. In a further aspect, the sweetener composition can be added to a food or beverage to impart properties other than sweetness, such as viscosity, bulk, water retention, and the like.

[0019] In another aspect, there is provided the use of the above-described sweetener composition as an additive in a pharmaceutical composition or supplement.

[0020] In another aspect, there is provided a food additive comprising purified hemicellulose. In one embodiment, the purified hemicellulose is partially hydrolyzed to form a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan.

[0021] In a further aspect, there is provided the use of an edible product comprising purified hemicellulose in a food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or supplement.

[0022] In one aspect, there is provided herein a sweetener composition comprising from about 5% to about 95% glucose by dry weight and from about 5% to about 95% purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0023] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The purified hemicellulose may include xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. The purified hemicellulose may include hydrolysis products of xylose, hydrolysis products of xylooligosaccharides, or hydrolysis products of xylan. The sweetener composition may include from about 30% to about 75% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include from about 40% to about 60% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include from about 45% to about 55% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include from about 30% to about 75% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include from about 40% to about 60% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include from about 45% to about 55% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 20% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 30% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 50% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 80% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include about 87% xylan by dry weight. The xylan may include from about 70% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan may include from about 80% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan may include from about 90% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan may include from about 95% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 5% to about 60% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 5% to about 30% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 5% to about 15% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include about 9% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 0.1% to about 25% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 0.1% to about 40% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include from about 0.1% to about 10% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include about 4% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may include glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 10% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 5% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 1% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 10% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 5% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 1% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may have a DE of about 35 to about 75. The sweetener composition may have a DE of about 40 to about 65. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 42, 53, or 63. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 42. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 53. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 63. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 35 to about 50. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 40 to about 45. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 42. The sweetener composition may provide about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.The sweetener composition can provide about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can provide about 190 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain soluble fiber. The sweetener composition can contain about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain about 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain prebiotics. The sweetener composition can contain about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition can contain about 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may not contain insoluble fiber. Glucose may be provided, at least in part, in the form of dextrose. The sweetener composition can be a solid. The sweetener composition can be a syrup. The sweetener composition can have a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at a temperature of 120°C. The sweetener composition can have a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C. The sweetener composition can have a viscosity of about 2800 cP at a temperature of 120°C. The purified hemicellulose can have a molecular weight (Mw) of less than 4000 Da. The purified hemicellulose can have a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose can have an antioxidant level of less than about 10000 μmol TE / 100 g. The purified hemicellulose can have a purity of at least 95%. The xylan can contain about 70% to about 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan can contain about 80% to about 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan can contain about 90% to about 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight. The xylan can contain about 95% to about 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight.

[0024] In another aspect, a sweetener composition is provided herein that comprises from about 48% to about 53% dextrose by dry weight, from about 41% to about 45% xylan by dry weight, from about 4% to about 5% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and from about 2% to about 2.5% xylose by dry weight.

[0025] In another aspect, a sweetener composition is provided herein that comprises about 50% dextrose by dry weight, about 43% xylan by dry weight, about 4% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 2% xylose by dry weight.

[0026] In yet another aspect, an edible product is provided herein that comprises one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0027] In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition is provided herein that comprises one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0028] In another aspect, a dietary supplement is provided herein that comprises one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0029] In another aspect, the use of one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in an edible product is provided herein.

[0030] In another aspect, the use of one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in a pharmaceutical composition is provided herein.

[0031] In another aspect, the use of one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in a dietary supplement is provided herein.

[0032] In another aspect, a method of sweetening an edible product is provided herein, the method comprising adding to the edible product one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0033] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of sweetening a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprising adding to the pharmaceutical composition any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0034] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of sweetening a dietary supplement, the method comprising adding to the dietary supplement any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein.

[0035] In another aspect, provided herein is a method of reducing the calorie content of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the method comprising providing a cooking method that includes an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and preparing the edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in an amount of about 50% to about 150% of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. In another aspect, provided herein is a method of reducing the glycemic index of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the method comprising providing a cooking method that includes an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and preparing the edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in an amount of about 50% to about 150% of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

[0036] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. A portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup can be replaced with any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in an amount of about 80% to about 120% of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. The amount of sugar or sugar syrup can be replaced with any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in an amount of about 100% of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

[0037] In another aspect, a purified hemicellulose composition is provided herein that comprises from about 82% to about 92% xylan by dry weight, from about 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and from about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. In another aspect, a purified hemicellulose composition is provided herein that comprises from about 87% to about 88% xylan by dry weight, from about 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and from about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. In another aspect, a purified hemicellulose composition is provided herein that comprises about 87.3% xylan by dry weight, about 8.5% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 4.2% xylose by dry weight.

[0038] In another aspect, provided herein is a purified hemicellulose composition comprising from about 85% to about 95% xylan by dry weight, from about 5% to about 25% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and from about 0% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 85% to about 93% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 85% to about 91% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 85% to about 89% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 85% to about 87% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 87% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 89% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 91% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 93% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 87% to about 93% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 86% to about 88% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 88% to about 92% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose may comprise from about 90% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 5% to about 20% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 5% to about 15% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 5% to about 10% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 5% to about 8% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 10% to about 25% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 15% to about 25% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 20% to about 25% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 10% to about 20% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 6% to about 12% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 8% to about 10% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight.The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0% to about 4% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0% to about 2% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0% to about 1% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0% to about 0.5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0% to about 0.1% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.5% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 1% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 2% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 4% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 2% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 1% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.1% to about 0.5% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.5% to about 4% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.5% to about 2% xylose by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 0.5% to about 1% xylose by dry weight.

[0039] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The purified hemicellulose composition may be off-white in color. The purified hemicellulose composition may have a molecular weight (M) of less than 4000 Da w) may have. The purified hemicellulose composition may have a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by dry weight. The purified hemicellulose composition may have an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 μmol TE / 100 g. The purified hemicellulose composition may have a purity of at least 95%. Xylan may contain from about 70% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain from about 80% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain from about 90% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain from about 95% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight.

[0040] In another aspect, provided herein are edible products comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein.

[0041] In another aspect, provided herein are sweetener compositions comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein.

[0042] In another aspect, provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein.

[0043] In another aspect, provided herein are dietary supplements comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein.

[0044] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein in an edible product.

[0045] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein in a sweetener composition.

[0046] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein in a pharmaceutical composition.

[0047] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions provided herein in a dietary supplement.

[0048] In another aspect, provided herein is a method for preparing purified hemicellulose, the method comprising the steps of providing a lignocellulosic biomass, combining the lignocellulosic biomass with water, activating the lignocellulosic biomass and water using conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure to form a first activated cellulose stream, washing the first activated cellulose stream to form a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract, wherein the first soluble extract may contain hemicellulose, and purifying the first soluble extract to form purified hemicellulose.

[0049] Embodiments may have one or more of the following features. The first temperature may be from about 190 °C to about 225 °C. The first pressure may be from about 200 to about 500 psig. The activation step may have a duration of from about 1 to about 30 minutes. The washing may include washing with water at a temperature of from about 40 °C to about 100 °C. The purification may include one or more of decolorization, treatment with carbon, performing ion exchange (IX), performing reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or combinations thereof. The treatment with carbon may be treatment with activated carbon. The performing of IX may include performing two-stage ion exchange. The performing of reverse osmosis may include using a nanofiltration membrane. The decolorization may include an alkaline peroxide treatment. The decolorization may include conditions including a pH of from about 9.5 to about 11.5. The decolorization may include conditions including a pH of from about 10.0 to about 11.0. The decolorization may include a peroxide treatment. The peroxide treatment may include a peroxide loading of from about 5% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the xylan component of the hemicellulose. The peroxide treatment may include a peroxide loading of from about 5% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the arabinoxylan component of the hemicellulose. The decolorization may have a duration of from about 1 to about 5 hours. The decolorization may have a duration of from about 2 to about 4 hours. The decolorization may be performed at a temperature of from about 50 °C to about 100 °C. The decolorization may be performed at a temperature of from about 60 °C to about 80 °C. To form the purified hemicellulose, the purification may include sequentially decolorization, treatment with carbon, performing ion exchange (IX), and performing reverse osmosis. The method may further include the step of adding degraded hemicellulose to the decolorized hemicellulose. The method may further include the step of drying the purified hemicellulose.

[0050] In another aspect, there is provided herein a purified hemicellulose prepared by any of the methods provided herein.

[0051] In another aspect, there is provided herein a method of preparing a sweetener composition, the method including the steps of providing glucose, providing purified hemicellulose, and combining the glucose and the purified hemicellulose to form the sweetener composition.

[0052] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Glucose may include glucose prepared from lignocellulosic biomass. Purified hemicellulose may include purified hemicellulose prepared from lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass may include hardwood, softwood, plant stems, plant axes, or combinations thereof. Lignocellulosic biomass may include straw, wheat flour, bran, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, or combinations thereof. Glucose may be prepared by a method including steam treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof. Purified hemicellulose may be prepared by a method including steam treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof. Hemicellulose may be prepared by any of the methods provided herein. Purified hemicellulose may be any of the purified hemicelluloses provided herein. Combine about 1 to 20 parts of glucose by dry weight with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight. About 1 part of glucose by dry weight may be combined with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may include xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. Purified hemicellulose may include hydrolysis products of xylose, hydrolysis products of xylooligosaccharides, or hydrolysis products of xylan. The sweetener composition may include about 30% to about 75% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include about 40% to about 60% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include about 45% to about 55% glucose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include about 30% to about 75% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include about 40% to about 60% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. The sweetener composition may include about 45% to about 55% purified hemicellulose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may include about 20% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may include about 30% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may include about 50% to about 95% xylan by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may include about 80% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.Purified hemicellulose may contain about 87% xylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain about 70% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain about 80% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain about 90% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Xylan may contain about 95% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 5% to about 60% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 5% to about 30% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 5% to about 15% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 9% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 1% to about 25% xylose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 1% to about 40% xylose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 1% to about 10% xylose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain about 4% xylose by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 10% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 5% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 1% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. The sweetener composition may contain less than 10% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. The sweetener composition may contain less than 5% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. The sweetener composition may contain less than 1% glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof by dry weight. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 10% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 5% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Purified hemicellulose may contain less than 1% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.The sweetener composition may contain less than 10% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 5% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may contain less than 1% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. The sweetener composition may have a DE of about 35 to about 75. The sweetener composition may have a DE of about 40 to about 65. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 42, 53, or 63. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 42. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 53. The sweetener composition may have a DE of 63. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 35 to about 50. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 40 to about 45. The sweetener composition may have a glycemic index of about 42. The sweetener composition provides about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition provides about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition provides about 190 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain soluble fiber. The sweetener composition may contain about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain about 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain prebiotics. The sweetener composition may contain about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may contain about 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. The sweetener composition may not contain insoluble fiber. Glucose may be provided at least in part in the form of dextrose. The sweetener composition may be a solid. The sweetener composition may be a syrup. The sweetener composition may have a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at a temperature of 120°C.The sweetener composition can have a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C. The sweetener composition can have a viscosity of about 2800 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0053] In another aspect, a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein is provided herein.

[0054] In another aspect, an edible product comprising a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein is provided herein.

[0055] In another aspect, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein is provided herein.

[0056] In another aspect, a dietary supplement comprising a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein is provided herein.

[0057] In another aspect, the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein in an edible product is provided herein.

[0058] In another aspect, the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein in a pharmaceutical composition is provided herein.

[0059] In another aspect, the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any of the methods provided herein in a dietary supplement is provided herein.

[0060] In another aspect, an edible product comprising any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein, having sensory properties comparable to those of a similar edible product comprising a certain amount of another sweetener composition other than the sweetener composition, wherein the amount of the sweetener composition in the edible product can be about 50% to about 150% of the amount of the another sweetener composition in the similar edible product, is provided herein.

[0061] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The dextrose equivalent (DE) of the sweetener composition can be about 50% to about 150% of the DE of another sweetener composition. The edible product can have a calorie content that is about 95% or less of the calorie content of a similar edible product. The edible product can have a calorie content that is about 92% or less of the calorie content of a similar edible product. One serving of the edible product provides at least 1 gram more dietary fiber than one serving of a similar edible product. One serving of the edible product provides at least 2 grams more dietary fiber than one serving of a similar edible product. The DE of the sweetener composition can be from about 30 to about 75. The DE of the sweetener composition can be 42, 53, or 63.

[0062] In another aspect, a sweetener composition comprising glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan is provided herein.

[0063] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. Glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan can be obtained from lignocellulosic biomass. Glucose can be obtained from cellulose, and xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan can be obtained from hemicellulose. The sweetener composition can have a DE of 35 - 75. The sweetener composition can have a DE of 42, 53, or 63. The sweetener composition can have a DE of 53. The viscosity can be about 2800 (cP) at 120°F. The sweetener composition may have fewer calories per gram than corn syrup of the same DE. Xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan can be a source of soluble fiber. Xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan can be a source of prebiotics.

[0064] In another aspect, a sweetener composition is provided herein comprising 50.4 wt% dextrose, 2.1 wt% xylose, 4.2 wt% xylooligosaccharides, and 43.3 wt% xylan.

[0065] In another aspect, provided herein is a method for producing a sweetener from lignocellulosic biomass, the method comprising obtaining glucose, obtaining purified hemicellulose, and combining the glucose and the purified hemicellulose.

[0066] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The glucose may be dextrose obtained by hydrolysis of cellulose. The purified hemicellulose may include a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. The purified hemicellulose may be prepared by steam treatment of the lignocellulosic biomass. The purified hemicellulose may be prepared by enzymatic treatment of the lignocellulosic biomass. The purified hemicellulose may be prepared by steam treatment and enzymatic treatment of the lignocellulosic biomass. Glucose and the mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan may be combined in a ratio such that a sweetener having a desired dextrose equivalent (DE) value is obtained. The DE value may be in the range of 35 to 75. The DE may be in the range of 40 to 64. The DE may be 53, 42, or 63. Glucose and the purified hemicellulose may be produced in the same processing facility and / or from the same lignocellulosic material source.

[0067] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in a food or beverage.

[0068] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in a pharmaceutical or supplement.

[0069] In another aspect, provided herein is a food additive comprising purified hemicellulose, wherein the hemicellulose may be purified by sequentially treating (to remove organic impurities) with activated carbon and then by two-stage ion exchange (cation / anion) to remove inorganic impurities.

[0070] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The purified hemicellulose may be partially hydrolyzed to yield a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose. The amount of xylan may range from 20% to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides may range from 5% to 60%, and the amount of xylose may range from 1% to 40%. The purified hemicellulose may further include other sugar polymers, such as glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, glucomannan, and xyloglucan, and sugars obtained therefrom. The food additive may include about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharides, and about 4% xylose. The purified hemicellulose may be a source of soluble fiber. The purified hemicellulose may be a source of prebiotics.

[0071] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the food additives provided herein in a food or beverage.

[0072] In another aspect, provided herein is the use of any one or more of the food additives provided herein in a pharmaceutical or supplement.

[0073] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0074] Details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the following description. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The word "comprising" in the claims can be replaced by "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of" according to the standard convention in patent law.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0075]

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[0076] As used herein, the term "lignocellulosic biomass" refers to the dry matter of plants composed of cellulose, a carbohydrate polymer, hemicellulose, and lignin, an aromatic polymer. It can be obtained from naturally occurring plants such as trees, shrubs, and grasses, or from waste biomass generated as by-products from various industries such as agriculture (corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, straw, etc.) and forestry (sawmill and paper mill waste). As used herein, the terms "cellulosic biomass", "lignocellulose", and "biomass" may also be used as abbreviations for the term "lignocellulosic biomass".

[0077] As used herein, the term "carbohydrate component of lignocellulosic biomass" refers to cellulose and hemicellulose carbohydrate polymers obtained from lignocellulosic biomass.

[0078] As used herein, the term "cellulose" refers to a polysaccharide polymer consisting of linear chains of D-glucose, typically obtained from plant material.

[0079] As used herein, the term "hemicellulose" refers to polysaccharide heteropolymers such as xylans (e.g., glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, and xyloglucan) and glucomannan. Hemicellulose is also obtained from plant material, like cellulose.

[0080] Arabinoxylan is understood to be a type of hemicellulose. Generally, arabinoxylan has a xylose backbone (e.g., 1,4-linked xylose) covalently bound to one or more arabinose units (e.g., via 2,3 linkages). Arabinoxylan is understood to be further linkable to other sugars such as glucose, galactose, and maltose. In some cases, arabinoxylan may be further covalently bound to one or more polyphenols. In some embodiments, the polyphenol units may include ferulic acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, rosmarinic acid, vanillin, epigallocatechin gallate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polyphenol may be covalently bound to arabinoxylan, may be a free polyphenol, or may be a combination thereof. In some cases, the polyphenol units may be free units. In some embodiments, the polyphenol may be mostly bound to arabinoxylan.

[0081] As used herein, the term "purified hemicellulose" refers to hemicellulose that has been purified by one or more chemical or physical purification methods including one or more of hydrolysis, extraction, membrane separation, carbon or ion exchange, chromatographic separation, and precipitation. The term "purified hemicellulose" does not indicate that the hemicellulose is necessarily absolutely pure, but rather simply indicates that it is purer than hemicellulose that has not been purified by one or more chemical or physical purification methods. Hydrolysis can be, for example, chemical hydrolysis with an acid or steam, or enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis can be partial or complete. Extraction can be carried out using water or various other known solvents. Similarly, other separation and purification methods can be carried out under various conditions known in the art. The purification process can be used to remove some or all of the organic acids, inorganic substances, pretreatment inhibitors, lignin, and degradation products from the upstream processing.

[0082] As used herein, the term "xylo-oligosaccharide (xylo-oligosaccharide or xylooligsaccharide)" or "XOS" refers to a polysaccharide having 2 to 10 xylose units.

[0083] As used herein, the term "xylan" refers to a polysaccharide having more than 10 xylose units. It is understood that "xylan" includes glucuronoxylan (GX), arabinoxylan (AX), and glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX).

[0084] As used herein, the term "dextrose equivalent" or "DE" is a measure of the amount of reducing sugar present in a sugar product, based on dextrose, expressed as a percentage on a dry weight basis. DE can be measured by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, DE can be measured using Lane-Eynon titration. In some embodiments, DE can be determined using osmotic pressure measurement.

[0085] "Dietary supplements" can include pharmaceutical products, natural health products, nutraceuticals, vitamins, minerals, protein supplements, etc. In some cases, "dietary supplements" may be defined by a regulatory agency (e.g., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) under appropriate statutes (e.g., 21 U.S.C. § 321).

[0086] As used herein, "edible product" means a material used in food or drink by humans or animals, chewing gum, or a material used in these components (see, e.g., 21 U.S.C. § 321). In some embodiments, the edible product can be a food (e.g., solid food). For example, in some embodiments, the edible product can be pie filling, cookies (e.g., chocolate chip cookies), candy (e.g., taffy chew), bars (e.g., cereal bars or granola bars), cakes, breads, crackers, canned foods (e.g., canned soup, canned fruit), or dairy products (e.g., yogurt, ice cream). In some embodiments, the edible product can be a beverage. For example, in some embodiments, the edible product can be juice (e.g., juice cocktail), soda, or an energy drink. In some embodiments, the edible product can be chewing gum.

[0087] Throughout this application, various references to percentages of components of a composition appear. The percentages are by weight percent, unless otherwise indicated.

[0088] Cellulose and hemicellulose are two of the main components found in plant materials, along with lignin, a third component. These materials are natural sources of hexose (C6) and pentose (C5) saccharides, but are generally indigestible in the human intestine. Dextrose (D-glucose) is the commonly used form of digestible C6 sugar. In some cases, dextrose can be obtained by chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose from plant sources. Hemicellulose can also be completely or partially hydrolyzed, for example, by chemical or enzymatic processing. For example, hemicellulose can be partially hydrolyzed to xylooligosaccharides or completely hydrolyzed to xylose. In some cases, the hydrolysis conditions can be controlled to achieve incomplete hydrolysis, resulting in a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan.

[0089] In some embodiments, the sweetener composition can be prepared by combining glucose with purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose is partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose and includes a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose. In some embodiments, the glucose is derived from cellulose. Cellulose and hemicellulose can be obtained from lignocellulosic biomass in some embodiments, and in some embodiments, cellulose and hemicellulose may be derived from the same lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass may include plant materials that are not normally considered suitable for direct human digestion, such as hardwoods or softwoods, plant stems and shafts. Sources of lignocellulosic biomass include, but are not limited to, straw (e.g., wheat straw), corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwoods, softwoods, etc. Lignocellulosic biomass may be obtained as a byproduct of other industries, such as agriculture, forestry, and energy crops.

[0090] The purified hemicellulose used in the composition can be partially hydrolyzed to obtain a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose in any suitable ratio. In some cases, the amount of xylan can range from 20% to 95% of the purified hemicellulose by dry weight, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5% to 60%, and the xylose can range from 1% to 40%. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan can range from 50% to 95% of the purified hemicellulose by dry weight, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5% to 30%, and the amount of xylose can range from 1% to 25%. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose can contain less than 10% of other sugars and sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In further embodiments, the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% of other sugars and sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose can be a partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose derived from lignocellulosic biomass and can contain about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharides, and about 4% xylose.

[0091] In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition can be combined with glucose (e.g., purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or combinations thereof) in various ratios to produce compositions with various DEs. Compositions with various DEs can have various properties with respect to sweetness and viscosity. In some cases, compositions having a DE in the range of 35 - 75, particularly DE 40 - 65, can be prepared and used as described herein. In some cases, compositions having DEs of 53, 42, and 63 can be prepared and used as described herein. A sweetener composition can be prepared that includes a purified hemicellulose composition combined with glucose (e.g., purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or combinations thereof) in various ratios to approach a desired DE, and the viscosity of commercially available syrups, such as corn syrup, that contain dextrose, glucose oligomers, and starch can be achieved herein. In some embodiments, a sweetener composition can be prepared that includes a purified hemicellulose composition combined with glucose (e.g., purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or combinations thereof) in various ratios to approach the sweetness and viscosity of commercially available syrups that consist of dextrose and starch.

[0092] Also provided herein are sweetener compositions. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition can include glucose and hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose can be purified. The hemicellulose can be purified by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose can be purified by the methods disclosed herein. The degree of purification can be determined by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the degree of purification can be determined by determining the percentage (e.g., dry weight) of one or more impurities (e.g., polyphenols, ash, protein, or combinations thereof) remaining in the purified hemicellulose and subtracting that number from 100. Merely by way of example, a hemicellulose containing 0.4% ash and no other impurities can be considered 99.6% pure. In some embodiments, the degree of purification can be determined by evaluating the percentage (e.g., dry weight) of one or more desired components (e.g., xylan, e.g., arabinoxylan) and using that percentage as the degree of purity. Merely by way of example, a hemicellulose containing 97% arabinoxylan can be considered 97% pure. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose can be about 80% to about 99.9% (e.g., about 85% to about 99.9%, about 90% to about 99.9%, about 95% to about 99.9%, about 98% to about 99.9%, about 99% to about 99.9%, about 80% to about 99%, about 80% to about 98%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 85%, about 85% to about 99%, about 90% to about 99%, about 90% to about 95%, about 95% to about 99%, about 92% to about 98%, or about 94% to about 96%) pure. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose can be at least about 90% pure (e.g., at least about 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% pure).In some embodiments, glucose can be from about 90% to about 99.9% pure (e.g., from about 85% to about 99.9%, from about 90% to about 99.9%, from about 95% to about 99.9%, from about 98% to about 99.9%, from about 99% to about 99.9%, from about 80% to about 99%, from about 80% to about 98%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 80% to about 85%, from about 85% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 95%, from about 95% to about 99%, from about 92% to about 98%, or from about 94% to about 96%). In some embodiments, glucose can be at least about 90% pure (e.g., at least about 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% pure).

[0093] The sweetener composition provided herein may have glucose and hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) in any suitable ratio. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may contain, by dry weight, about 5% to about 95% glucose (e.g., by dry weight, about 5% to about 90%, 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% to about 70%, about 5% to about 60%, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, about 10% to about 75%, about 10% to about 70%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 20% to about 95%, about 20% to about 90%, about 20% to about 80%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 70%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, about 25% to about 60%, about 25% to about 50%, about 25% to about 40%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 95%, about 30% to about 90%, about 30% to about 80%, about 30% to about 75%, about 30% to about 70%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 40%, about 40% to about 95%, about 40% to about 90%, about 40% to about 80%, about 40% to about 75%, about 40% to about 70%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 50%, about 45% to about 55%, about 48% to about 53%, about 50% to about 95%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 80%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 60%, about 60% to about 95%, about 60% to about 90%, about 60% to about 80%, about 60% to about 75%, about 60% to about 70%, about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 75%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 80%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, or about 90% to about 95%) of glucose).For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may comprise, on a dry weight basis, from about 5% to about 85% glucose (e.g., from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 70% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, or from about 45% to about 55% glucose on a dry weight basis).For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may comprise, on a dry weight basis, from about 5% to about 95% hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) (e.g., on a dry weight basis, from about 5% to about 95%, from about 5% to about 80%, from about 5% to about 75%, from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 60%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 40%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25%, from about 5% to about 20%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 95%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 10% to about 80%, from about 10% to about 75%, from about 10% to about 70%, from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 25%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 75%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, from about 25% to about 95%, from about 25% to about 90%, from about 25% to about 80%, from about 25% to about 75%, from about 25% to about 70%, from about 25% to about 60%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 95%, from about 30% to about 90%, from about 30% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 40%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 75%, from about 40% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 45% to about 55%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 80%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 50% to about 70%, from about 50% to about 60%, from about 60% to about 95%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 80%, from about 60% to about 75%, from about 60% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90%, from about 75% to about 80%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 90%, or from about 90% to about 95%) of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose).For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition comprises, by dry weight, from about 5% to about 85% hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) (e.g., from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 70% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, or from about 45% to about 55% hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose). In some embodiments, the dry weight percent of glucose and the dry weight percent of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) in the sweetener compositions provided herein sum to about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or about 100%.

[0094] Glucose can be provided in any suitable form or a mixture of forms. In some embodiments, glucose can be provided in the form of dextrose. In some embodiments, glucose can be provided as a mixture of dextrose and other isomeric monomers.

[0095] In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may be characterized by components that are not present in the sweetener composition. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain components that are present in other sweetener compositions. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may be characterized by components that are present in different amounts than in other sweetener compositions. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain components that may be present in starting materials (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but that may impart undesirable odors, flavors, or colors to sweetener components (e.g., glucose or hemicellulose, such as purified hemicellulose). In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may have a reduced amount of components that may be present in starting materials (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but that may impart undesirable odors, flavors, or colors to sweetener components (e.g., glucose or hemicellulose, such as purified hemicellulose). For example, the sweetener composition may have an ash content of less than 0.4% (e.g., less than 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) by dry weight. For example, in some cases, corn syrup may contain maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof.

[0096] In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may contain maltose in an amount of less than about 15% (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%) by dry weight. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may contain maltotriose in an amount of less than about 15% (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%) by dry weight.

[0097] In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may have components that are mainly glucose (e.g., dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may contain sugars or sugar polymers that are not glucose (e.g., dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof in an amount of less than about 15% by dry weight (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% by dry weight).

[0098] In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may contain sugars other than glucose (e.g., dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may contain glucomannan, mannose, or a combination thereof in an amount of less than about 15% by dry weight (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% by dry weight). In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain glucomannan. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain mannose.

[0099] Also provided herein is a purified hemicellulose composition (also referred to as "purified hemicellulose"). The purified hemicellulose composition may have any suitable components. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may contain xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan, as well as hydrolysis products thereof. The components of the purified hemicellulose composition may be present in any suitable amounts.

[0100] For example, xylan can be present in any suitable amount in the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition can comprise, on a dry weight basis, from about 20% to about 95% xylan (e.g., from about 20% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 75%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, from about 25% to about 95%, from about 25% to about 90%, from about 25% to about 80%, from about 25% to about 75%, from about 25% to about 70%, from about 25% to about 60%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 95%, from about 30% to about 90%, from about 30% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 40%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 75%, from about 40% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 80%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 50% to about 70%, from about 50% to about 60%, from about 60% to about 95%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 80%, from about 60% to about 75%, from about 60% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90%, from about 75% to about 80%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 82% to about 92%, from about 85% to about 89%, from about 87% to about 88%, from about 90% to about 95%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, or about 95% xylan).

[0101] In some cases, xylan may include arabinoxylan (AX), glucuronoxylan, xyloglucan, glucomannan, their hydrolysis products, or combinations thereof, each of which may be present in any suitable amount in the xylan. In some embodiments, the xylan can be mostly AX. In some embodiments, the xylan can contain, by dry weight, about 70% to about 99% (e.g., about 70% to about 95%, about 70% to about 90%, about 70% to about 85%, about 70% to about 80%, about 70% to about 75%, about 75% to about 99%, about 75% to about 95%, about 75% to about 90%, about 75% to about 85%, about 75% to about 80%, about 80% to about 99%, about 80% to about 99%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, about 80% to about 85%, about 85% to about 99%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 90%, about 90% to about 99%, about 90% to about 95%, or about 95% to about 99%) AX. In some embodiments, the xylan can contain, by dry weight, at least about 70% (e.g., at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%) AX.

[0102] For example, xylooligosaccharides may be present in any suitable amount in the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition can be, by dry weight, about 5% to about 60% xylooligosaccharides (e.g., by dry weight, about 5% to about 50%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 10%, about 8% to about 10%, about 10% to about 60%, about 10% to about 50%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 60%, about 15% to about 50%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 20%, about 20% to about 60%, about 20% to about 50%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 30%, about 30% to about 60%, about 30% to about 50%, about 30% to about 40%, about 40% to about 60%, about 40% to about 50%, about 50% to about 60%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10%, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% xylooligosaccharides).

[0103] For example, xylose may be present in any suitable amount in the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may be, by dry weight, about 0% to about 40% xylose (e.g., by dry weight, about 1% to about 30%, about 1% to about 20%, about 1% to about 25%, about 1% to about 20%, about 1% to about 15%, about 1% to about 10%, about 1% to about 5%, about 4% to about 5%, about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 10% to about 15%, about 15% to about 40%, about 15% to about 30%, about 15% to about 25%, about 15% to about 20%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 30%, about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 40%, about 25% to about 30%, about 30% to about 40%, about 0% to about 5%, about 0% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 40%, about 0.1% to about 25%, about 0.1% to about 10%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1%, about 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10% xylose). For example, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may be, by dry weight, about 0% to about 5% xylose (e.g., by dry weight, about 0% to about 4%, about 0% to about 2%, about 0% to about 1%, about 0% to about 0.5%, about 0% to about 0.1%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 1% to about 5%, about 2% to about 5%, about 4% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 2%, or about 0.5% to about 1% xylose).

[0104] In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may be characterized by components that are not present in the hemicellulose. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may not contain components that are present in other hemicellulose preparations. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may be characterized by components that are present in different amounts than in other hemicellulose preparations. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may not contain components that may be present in the starting material (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but that may impart an undesirable odor, flavor, or color to the hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose). In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may have a reduced amount of components that may be present in the starting material (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but that may impart an undesirable odor, flavor, or color to the hemicellulose. For example, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may have an ash content of less than 0.4% (e.g., less than 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) by dry weight.

[0105] Corn syrup is a commonly used sweetener. The purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain components that are different from some corn syrups. For example, in some cases, corn syrup may contain maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may not contain maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain maltose in an amount of less than about 15% (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%) by dry weight. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose described herein may contain maltotriose in an amount of less than about 15% (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1%) by dry weight.

[0106] In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may have components that are primarily xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein have sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof in an amount of less than about 15% by dry weight (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% by dry weight).

[0107] In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain sugars other than xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Thus, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein contain glucomannan, mannose, or combinations thereof in an amount of less than about 15% by dry weight (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% by dry weight). In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may not contain glucomannan. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may not contain mannose.

[0108] The hemicellulose materials (e.g., xylan (e.g., arabinoxylan), xylooligosaccharides, xylose, or combinations thereof) of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein can have any suitable molecular weight. The molecular weight can be determined by any suitable method. For example, the hemicellulose materials of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein have a (M of less than about 4000 Da (e.g., less than about 3500 Da or 3000 Da). wcan have a molecular weight (as). As another example, the hemicellulose material of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have a molecular weight of about 1500 to about 4000 Da (e.g., about 1500 to about 3500 Da, about 1500 to about 3000 Da, about 1500 to about 2500 Da, about 1500 to about 2000 Da, about 2000 to about 4000 Da, about 2000 to about 3500 Da, about 2000 to about 3000 Da, about 2000 to about 2500 Da, about 2500 to about 4000 Da, about 2500 to about 3500 Da, about 2500 to about 3000 Da, about 3000 to about 4000 Da, about 3000 to about 3500 Da, or about 3500 to about 4000 Da) (M w can have a molecular weight (as).

[0109] The purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have any suitable color. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that polyphenols can contribute to making the color of the purified hemicellulose composition more brown, and thus, a purified hemicellulose with a lighter color is believed to have a lower polyphenol content than a purified hemicellulose with a darker color. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition provided herein can be off-white. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition provided herein can be white.

[0110] The purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have any suitable polyphenol content. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have less than about 0.5% (e.g., less than about 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) by dry weight as polyphenols.

[0111] The purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have any suitable antioxidant level. The antioxidant level can be measured using any suitable method. For example, the micromol Trolox equivalent per 100 grams of the purified hemicellulose composition (μmol TE / 100g) can be determined. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 (e.g., about 9,500, 9,000, 8,500, or 8,000) μmole TE / 100g. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have an antioxidant level of about 0 to about 10,000 (e.g., about 0 to about 8,000, about 0 to about 6,000, about 0 to about 4,000, about 0 to about 2,000, about 0 to about 1,000, about 1,000 to about 10,000, about 1,000 to about 10,000, about 2,000 to about 10,000, about 4,000 to about 10,000, about 6,000 to about 10,000, about 8,000 to about 10,000, about 1,000 to about 9,000, about 3,000 to about 7,000, or about 7,000 to about 9,000) μmol TE / 100g.

[0112] In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose in any of the amounts disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may contain about 82% to about 92% xylan by dry weight, about 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight, and about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain about 87% to about 88% xylan by dry weight, about 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight, and about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may contain about 87.3% xylan by dry weight, about 8.5% xylooligosaccharides by dry weight, and about 4.2% xylose by dry weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may contain, by dry weight, about 85% to about 95% (e.g., about 85% to about 93%, about 85% to about 91%, about 85% to about 89%, about 85% to about 87%, about 87% to about 95%, about 89% to about 95%, about 91% to about 95%, about 93% to about 95%, about 87% to about 93%, about 86% to about 88%, about 88% to about 92%, or about 90% to about 95%) xylan, by dry weight, about 5% to about 25% (e.g., about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 8%, about 10% to about 25%, about 15% to about 25%, about 20% to about 25%, about 10% to about 20%, about 6% to about 12%, or about 8% to about 10%) xylooligosaccharides, and by dry weight, about 0% to about 5% (e.g., about 0% to about 4%, about 0% to about 2%, about 0% to about 1%, about 0% to about 0.5%, about 0% to about 0.1%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 1% to about 5%, about 2% to about 5%, about 4% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 2%, or about 0.5% to about 1%) xylose. In some embodiments, the xylan can be about 95% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein are off-white in color. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein have an (M of less than 4000 Da wIt has a molecular weight (as such). In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein has a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by dry weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein has an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 μmol TE / 100 g. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can have a purity of at least 95%.

[0113] It is understood that the amount of a component (e.g., xylan, xylooligosaccharide, or xylose) of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein in the sweetener composition described herein can be determined by multiplying the amount of hemicellulose (e.g., as a percentage by dry weight) in the sweetener composition described herein by the amount of the component (e.g., xylan, xylooligosaccharide, or xylose) in the purified hemicellulose composition described herein.

[0114] Also provided herein is a sweetener composition comprising about 48% to about 53% dextrose by dry weight, about 41% to about 45% xylan by dry weight, about 4% to about 5% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 2% to about 2.5% xylose by dry weight.

[0115] Also provided herein is a sweetener composition comprising about 50% dextrose by dry weight, about 43% xylan by dry weight, about 4% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 2% xylose by dry weight.

[0116] The sweetener composition described herein can have a dextrose equivalent (DE) of any suitable value. The DE can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can have a DE of about 35 to about 75 (e.g., about 35 to about 40, about 35 to about 45, about 35 to about 50, about 35 to about 55, about 35 to about 60, about 35 to about 65, about 35 to about 75, about 40 to about 45, about 40 to about 50, about 40 to about 55, about 40 to about 60, about 40 to about 65, about 40 to about 70, about 40 to about 75, about 45 to about 50, about 45 to about 55, about 45 to about 60, about 45 to about 65, about 45 to about 70, about 45 to about 75, about 50 to about 55, about 50 to about 60, about 50 to about 65, about 50 to about 70, about 50 to about 75, about 55 to about 60, about 55 to about 65, about 55 to about 70, about 55 to about 75, about 60 to about 65, about 60 to about 70, about 60 to about 75, about 65 to about 70, about 65 to about 75, about 70 to about 75, about 42, about 53, or about 63). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that a sweetener composition described herein having a DE that is the same within about 10 percent of a commercially available sweetener can be used in substantially equal (or within about 10 percent) volume in place of the commercially available sweetener.

[0117] The sweetener composition described herein can have a glycemic index (GI) of any suitable value. The GI can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can have a GI of about 10 to about 80 (e.g., about 10 to about 60, about 10 to about 50, about 10 to about 40, about 10 to about 30, about 10 to about 20, about 20 to about 80, about 30 to about 80, about 40 to about 80, about 50 to about 80, about 60 to about 80, about 20 to about 70, about 30 to about 60, about 35 to about 50, about 40 to about 50, or about 40 to about 45). The glycemic index of glucose (e.g., dextrose) is typically reported to be 100. The glycemic index of sucrose is typically reported to be 65. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that sweeteners with relatively low GI values can help manage blood sugar and insulin levels and / or can be useful in controlling appetite and weight loss.

[0118] The sweetener composition described herein can have a calorie content of any suitable value. The calorie content can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can provide from about 100 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition (e.g., from about 100 to about 200, from about 100 to about 175, from about 100 to about 150, from about 100 to about 125, from about 125 to about 225, from about 150 to about 225, from about 175 to about 225, from about 200 to about 225, from about 125 to about 200, from about 150 to about 200, from about 175 to about 200, or from about 180 to about 200).

[0119] The sweetener composition described herein can contain soluble fiber. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber can be supplied into the sweetener composition via hemicellulose. The sweetener composition described herein can contain any suitable amount of soluble fiber. The soluble fiber content can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can provide from about 4 g to about 95 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition (e.g., from about 4 g to about 85 g, from about 4 g to about 75 g, from about 4 g to about 65 g, from about 4 g to about 55 g, from about 4 g to about 45 g, from about 4 g to about 35 g, from about 4 g to about 25 g, from about 4 g to about 15 g, from about 15 g to about 95 g, from about 25 g to about 95 g, from about 35 g to about 95 g, from about 45 g to about 95 g, from about 55 g to about 95 g, from about 65 g to about 95 g, from about 75 g to about 95 g, from about 85 g to about 95 g, from about 10 g to about 80 g, from about 20 g to about 70 g, from about 30 g to about 60 g, from about 40 g to about 50 g, from about 30 to about 40 g, from about 35 g to about 45 g, from about 45 to about 55 g, about 35 g, about 36 g, about 37 g, about 38 g, about 39 g, about 40 g, about 41 g, about 42 g, about 43 g, about 44 g, or about 45 g). In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may not contain insoluble fiber. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber content can be the same as the purified hemicellulose (e.g., arabinoxylan) content (e.g., in dry weight percent).

[0120] The sweetener composition described herein may contain prebiotics. In some embodiments, the prebiotics may be supplied into the sweetener composition via hemicellulose. The sweetener composition described herein may contain any suitable amount of prebiotics. The prebiotic content can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may provide from about 4 g to about 95 g (e.g., from about 4 g to about 85 g, from about 4 g to about 75 g, from about 4 g to about 65 g, from about 4 g to about 55 g, from about 4 g to about 45 g, from about 4 g to about 35 g, from about 4 g to about 25 g, from about 4 g to about 15 g, from about 4 to about 10 g, from about 4 g to about 8 g, from about 15 g to about 95 g, from about 25 g to about 95 g, from about 35 g to about 95 g, from about 45 g to about 95 g, from about 55 g to about 95 g, from about 65 g to about 95 g, from about 75 g to about 95 g, from about 85 g to about 95 g, from about 10 g to about 80 g, from about 20 g to about 70 g, from about 30 g to about 60 g, from about 40 g to about 50 g, from about 30 to about 40 g, from about 35 g to about 45 g, or from about 45 to about 55 g) of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition. In some embodiments, the prebiotic content can be the same as the purified hemicellulose (e.g., arabinoxylan) content (e.g., in dry weight percentage).

[0121] The sweetener composition described herein can be in any suitable form. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can be a solid. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can be a syrup. The syrup can have any suitable properties. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein can have a viscosity of from about 2500 to about 7000 cP (e.g., from about 2500 to about 6000 cP, from about 2500 to about 5000 cP, from about 2500 to about 4000 cP, from about 2500 to about 3000 cP, from about 3000 to about 7000 cP, from about 4000 to about 7000 cP, from about 5000 to about 7000 cP, from about 6000 to about 7000 cP, from about 2700 to about 3000 cP, from about 3000 to about 6000 cP, from about 3000 to about 5000 cP, or from about 4000 to about 6000 cP) at 120 °C.

[0122] This document also provides products comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, this document provides sweetener compositions comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, this document provides edible products comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. This document provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. This document provides dietary supplements comprising any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. Products comprising any one or more of the compositions provided herein may have advantages. Non-limiting examples of such advantages include calorie reduction, reduction of glycemic index, supply of soluble fiber, supply of prebiotics, and supply of antioxidants. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, hemicellulose (e.g., arabinoxylan) is a low-calorie carbohydrate, and hemicellulose (e.g., arabinoxylan) is thought to be a source of soluble fiber that can be used by components of the microbiota to promote health. Further, in some cases, polyphenols and / or polyphenol units are thought to be able to act as antioxidants.

[0123] This document also provides the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, this document provides the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in edible products. For example, this document provides the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in sweetener compositions. This document provides the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in pharmaceutical compositions. This document provides the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in dietary supplements.

[0124] This document also provides a product containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, this document provides an edible product containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. This document provides a pharmaceutical composition containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. This document provides a dietary supplement containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein.

[0125] This document also provides the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, this document provides the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in an edible product. This document provides the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in a pharmaceutical composition. This document provides the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in a dietary supplement.

[0126] This document also provides a method for sweetening a composition using any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, this document provides a method for sweetening an edible product, which includes the step of adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the edible product. This document provides a method for sweetening a pharmaceutical composition, which includes the step of adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the pharmaceutical composition. This document provides a method for sweetening a dietary supplement, which includes the step of adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the dietary supplement.

[0127] The pharmaceutical composition can be any suitable pharmaceutical composition. Usually, the pharmaceutical composition contains at least one active ingredient (for example, one, two, three, four, five, or more active ingredients, such as drugs) in a pharmaceutically effective amount. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is an oral pharmaceutical formulation. Usually, the oral pharmaceutical formulation contains a sweetening agent.

[0128] This document also provides a method for modifying a food preparation, for example, to reduce its calorie content or glycemic index. In some embodiments, the method may include substituting some or all of the sugar or sugar syrup in the cooking method with any of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, in some embodiments, instead of sugar or sugar syrup in the cooking method (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100% of the sugar or sugar syrup in the cooking method), the sweetener compositions described herein may be used in an amount of about 50% to about 150% by mass or volume (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%).

[0129] Accordingly, provided herein is a method comprising the step of preparing a cooking method that includes an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and the step of preparing an edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with the sweetener composition described herein in an amount of about 50% to about 150% (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. Also provided herein is a method of reducing the calorie content of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the method comprising the step of preparing a cooking method that includes an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and the step of preparing an edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with the sweetener composition described herein in an amount of about 50% to about 150% (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. Also provided herein is a method of reducing the glycemic index of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the method comprising the step of preparing a cooking method that includes an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and the step of preparing an edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with the sweetener described herein in an amount of about 50% to about 150% (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

[0130] In some cases, by substituting another sweetener (e.g., a sweetener other than the sweetener composition provided herein) with the sweetener composition provided herein, similar results (e.g., sensory properties (e.g., taste, aroma, and / or mouthfeel) or physical properties) can be obtained while achieving a lower calorie content, a lower glycemic index, a higher dietary fiber content, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the substitution may involve using from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the sweetener composition provided herein in place of a given amount of another sweetener (e.g., by weight or volume). In some embodiments, the substitution may be an equivalent substitution (e.g., by dry weight or volume). For example, in some embodiments, provided herein is an edible product comprising one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein in a certain amount, and the edible product has sensory properties comparable to those of a similar edible product comprising a certain amount of another sweetener composition other than the present sweetener composition, and the amount of the present sweetener composition in the edible product is from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the amount of the other sweetener composition in the similar edible product. In some embodiments, the sensory properties can be determined by a panel of trained human judges.For example, in some embodiments, provided herein is an edible product comprising a certain amount of any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein, the edible product having physical properties (e.g., tensile strength, cohesiveness, viscosity, appearance, temperature stability, storage stability, pH stability, and / or spread during baking) comparable to those of a similar edible product comprising a certain amount of another sweetener composition other than the present sweetener composition, and the amount of the present sweetener composition in the edible product being about 50% to about 150% (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the amount of the other sweetener composition in the similar edible product. The physical properties can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the comparable physical properties are within about 25% (e.g., within about 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, or 1%) of the same property in the similar edible product. In some such embodiments, the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the sweetener composition is about 50% to about 150% (e.g., about 50% to about 125%, about 50% to about 100%, about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the DE of the other sweetener composition. In some cases, the DE of the sweetener composition provided herein is about 30 to about 75 (e.g., about 40 to about 65, about 42, about 53, or about 63). In some embodiments, the edible product can have a calorie content that is 95% or less (e.g., 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, or 85% or less) of the calorie content of the similar edible product. In some embodiments, the edible product can have a dietary fiber content that is at least 1 gram more per serving (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, or 5 grams more per serving) than the dietary fiber of the similar edible product. In some embodiments, the other sweetener composition is corn syrup.

[0131] In yet a further aspect, compositions can be prepared that include various ratios of glucose and purified hemicellulose. In one embodiment, the composition includes less than 95% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition includes less than 94% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition includes less than 90% glucose or 5 - 90% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition includes less than 75% glucose or 30 - 75% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition includes less than 60% glucose or 30 - 60% glucose. In yet a further embodiment, the composition includes about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, or about 60% glucose.

[0132] In another aspect, the ratios of the components of the composition including glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan do not impart a significant degree of sweetness and, rather, can be selected to be used as a food ingredient and primarily impart other characteristics, such as viscosity.

[0133] The glycemic index (GI) can be measured using methods known in the art, such as those described in "In vitro method for predicting glycemic index of foods using simulated digestion and an artificial neural network", R. L. Magaletta et al., Cereal Chemistry, Vol. 87, No. 4, 2010. Soluble fiber is measured by AOAC Official Methods of Analysis 2011.25.

[0134] This document also provides a method for preparing a hemicellulose composition. Any of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein can be prepared by the methods described herein.

[0135] In some cases, the method described in this specification may include the steps of extracting hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass and purifying the extracted hemicellulose. The extraction of hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass can be achieved by any suitable method. The purification of the extracted hemicellulose can be realized using any appropriate method.

[0136] In some embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass can be combined with water, and the lignocellulosic biomass can be activated using conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure to form an activated cellulose stream (e.g., a first activation step). In some embodiments, a pre-activation step can precede the first activation step. The first activated cellulose stream can be washed to form a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract. The first soluble extract can be separated from the washed first activated cellulose stream by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract can be separated from the washed first activated cellulose stream using filtration (e.g., vacuum filtration).

[0137] An exemplary method is shown in Figure 1. Lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be fed into reactor 103, where the lignocellulosic biomass 101 is subjected to a first activation step to produce a first activated cellulose stream 104. In the first activation step, the lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be treated at elevated temperature and pressure to produce, for example, a first activated cellulose stream 104 containing cellulose II and insoluble solids. The first activation step can be carried out in the presence of water. The water can be introduced into the reactor 103 by one or more of the water present in the lignocellulosic biomass 101, the water present in the reactor 103 when the lignocellulosic biomass is introduced into the reactor 103, or the water introduced by the feed stream 102. The reactor 103 can be a batch reactor or a continuous process reactor. In the case of a batch reactor, the lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be fed into the reactor 103, and the reactor can be a stirred tank reactor and can be ramped up to the operating conditions for a desired time. When the reactor 103 is a continuous flow reactor, it can be a steam exposure reactor and can be maintained at the desired operating conditions. The first activated cellulose stream 104 can be washed to extract soluble non-cellulosic components such as hemicellulose, as well as some ash, extractives, and lignin. The first activated cellulose stream 104 and the wash water 106 can be introduced into a wash reactor 105 to produce a soluble extract 107 and a washed first activated cellulose stream 108. The wash reactor 105 can be any suitable reactor. Optionally, the wash reactor 105 can be operated in a countercurrent manner or can be a countercurrent belt filter. Other filtration or separation methods, such as a filter press, a twin wire press, a twin roll press, a rotary vacuum filter, or a centrifuge, can also be used.

[0138] The lignocellulosic biomass can be any suitable feedstock. For example, the lignocellulosic biomass may include one or more of straw, corn stover, bagasse, hardwood, softwood, energy crops, etc. In some cases, the agricultural feedstock provided can be treated, for example, by micronization, pulverization, milling or otherwise, to remove stones, soil, or other materials present in the agricultural feedstock, and reduce the size of the agricultural or forestry feedstock supplied to the process. In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used in the production of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein is wheat straw.

[0139] In some cases, the pre-activation step may include treating the lignocellulosic biomass (e.g., wheat straw) with steam. The pre-activation step can include any suitable temperature, pressure, and duration. In some embodiments, the temperature of the pre-activation step can be from about 110°C to about 150°C (e.g., from about 110°C to about 140°C, from about 110°C to about 130°C, from about 120°C to about 150°C, from about 120°C to about 140°C, or from about 125°C to about 135°C). In some embodiments, the duration of the pre-activation step can be from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes (e.g., from about 5 minutes to about 25 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, or from about 13 minutes to about 17 minutes). In some embodiments, the pressure of the pre-activation step can be from about 10 psi to about 20 psi (e.g., from about 10 to about 15 psi, from about 15 to about 20 psi, about 10 psi, about 15 psi, or about 20 psi).

[0140] In some cases, the first activation step can be carried out under conditions that increase the amount of cellulose II in the first activated cellulose stream compared to the amount of cellulose II in the feedstock.

[0141] The temperature of the first activation step can be any suitable temperature. In some cases, the temperature of the first activation step can be above 190 °C (e.g., above 200 °C, 210 °C, 220 °C, 230 °C, or 240 °C). In some embodiments, the temperature of the first activation step can be less than about 250 °C (e.g., less than 240 °C, 230 °C, or 220 °C). In some embodiments, the temperature of the first activation step can be from about 190 °C to about 250 °C (e.g., from about 190 °C to about 240 °C, from about 190 °C to about 230 °C, from about 190 °C to about 220 °C, from about 190 °C to about 210 °C, from about 190 °C to about 200 °C, from about 200 °C to about 250 °C, from about 200 °C to about 240 °C, from about 200 °C to about 230 °C, from about 200 °C to about 220 °C, from about 200 °C to about 210 °C, from about 210 °C to about 250 °C, from about 210 °C to about 240 °C, from about 210 °C to about 230 °C, from about 210 °C to about 220 °C, from about 220 °C to about 250 °C, from about 220 °C to about 240 °C, from about 220 °C to about 230 °C, from about 222 °C to about 230 °C, from about 230 °C to about 250 °C, from about 230 °C to about 240 °C, or from about 240 °C to about 250 °C).

[0142] The amount of water introduced in the first activation step can be any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the amount of water can be at least about 30% (e.g., at least about 40% or at least about 50%) based on the lignocellulosic biomass with added water. In some embodiments, the amount of water can be less than 90% (e.g., less than 80%, 70%, or 60%). In some embodiments, the amount of water in the first activation step can be about 50%. In some embodiments, the amount of water in the first activation step can be from about 10% to about 65% (e.g., from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 65%, from about 30% to about 65%, from about 40% to about 65%, from about 50% to about 65%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 60%, or from about 35% to about 55%).

[0143] The moisture in the first activation step can be in the form of vapor or liquid water. It is recognized that the temperature and pressure of the first activation step can be selected such that liquid water is present in the first activation step. It is recognized that the temperature and pressure of the first activation step can be selected such that vapor is present in the first activation step.

[0144] The pressure of the first activation step can be any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure can be at least about 200 psig (e.g., at least about 250, 300, or 350 psig). In some embodiments, the pressure can be less than 500 psig (e.g., less than about 450 or 400 psig). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the pressure in the reactor corresponds to the temperature, at a minimum, according to saturated vapor thermodynamics. In some embodiments, the pressure can be increased above that value by adding a pressurized gas or by applying superheat.

[0145] The duration of the first activation step can be any suitable duration. In some embodiments, the first activation step can be less than 30 minutes (e.g., less than 20, 10, or 5 minutes). In some embodiments, the duration of the first activation step can be from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes (e.g., from about 1 to about 25 minutes, from about 1 to about 20 minutes, from about 1 to about 15 minutes, from about 1 to about 10 minutes, from about 1 to about 5 minutes, from about 5 to about 30 minutes, from about 5 to about 25 minutes, from about 5 to about 20 minutes, from about 5 to about 15 minutes, from about 5 to about 10 minutes, from about 10 to about 30 minutes, from about 10 to about 25 minutes, from about 10 to about 20 minutes, from about 10 to about 15 minutes, from about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 15 to about 25 minutes, from about 15 to about 20 minutes, from about 20 to about 30 minutes, from about 20 to about 25 minutes, from about 25 to about 30 minutes, about 1 minute, about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, or about 30 minutes). It is recognized that the duration of the first activation step can vary depending on many factors, such as the severity of the first activation step, e.g., the temperature and pressure of the first activation step.

[0146] The temperature, pressure, and duration of the process are recognized to be combinable in any desired combination. Thus, for example, the first activation step may subject the feedstock to a pressure between 200 and 500 psig and a temperature between 200 and 250 °C for 1 to 30 minutes, or to a pressure between 200 and 500 psig and a temperature between 190 and 215 °C for less than 4 minutes.

[0147] The first activated cellulose stream may have any suitable solids content. For example, the first activated cellulose stream may have a solids content between about 30% and 50% by weight. In some cases, the solids may mainly be cellulose. In some cases, the solids may include lignin, hemicellulose, and / or minor components such as ash, protein, or extractives.

[0148] The first activated cellulose stream can be washed to form a first washed activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract. The first activated cellulose stream can be washed with water. The water may contain any suitable solute. In some embodiments, the wash water may have a temperature of about 40 °C to about 100 °C (e.g., about 40 °C to about 95 °C, about 40 °C to about 90 °C, about 40 °C to about 80 °C, about 40 °C to about 70 °C, about 40 °C to about 60 °C, about 40 °C to about 50 °C, about 50 °C to about 100 °C, about 50 °C to about 95 °C, about 50 °C to about 90 °C, about 50 °C to about 80 °C, about 50 °C to about 70 °C, about 50 °C to about 60 °C, about 60 °C to about 100 °C, about 60 °C to about 95 °C, about 60 °C to about 90 °C, about 60 °C to about 80 °C, about 60 °C to about 70 °C, about 70 °C to about 100 °C, about 70 °C to about 95 °C, about 70 °C to about 90 °C, about 70 °C to about 80 °C, about 80 °C to about 100 °C, about 80 °C to about 95 °C, about 80 °C to about 90 °C, about 90 °C to about 100 °C, about 90 °C to about 95 °C, or about 95 °C to about 100 °C). In some embodiments, the wash water may have a temperature of about 25 °C to about 95 °C (e.g., about 25 °C to about 75 °C, about 25 °C to about 50 °C, about 50 °C to about 95 °C, about 75 °C to about 95 °C, about 25 °C to about 50 °C, or about 25 °C to about 75 °C).

[0149] The first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof can, in some cases, undergo further processing steps. In some embodiments, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof can undergo a second activation step to yield a second activated cellulose stream.

[0150] In some cases, the second activation step can be carried out under conditions that increase the amount of cellulose IV in the second activated cellulose stream compared to the amount of cellulose IV in the washed first activated cellulose stream.

[0151] The second activation step can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature can be above about 60 °C (e.g., above about 70 °C). In some embodiments, the temperature can be below about 180 °C (e.g., about 170 °C, 160 °C, 150 °C, 140 °C, 130 °C, 120 °C, 110 °C, 100 °C, 90 °C, or below 80 °C). In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out at a temperature in the range of about 60 °C to about 180 °C (e.g., about 60 °C to about 160 °C, about 60 °C to about 140 °C, about 60 °C to about 120 °C, about 60 °C to about 100 °C, about 60 °C to about 80 °C, about 80 °C to about 180 °C, about 80 °C to about 160 °C, about 80 °C to about 140 °C, about 80 °C to about 120 °C, about 80 °C to about 100 °C, about 100 °C to about 180 °C, about 100 °C to about 160 °C, about 100 °C to about 140 °C, about 100 °C to about 120 °C, about 120 °C to about 180 °C, about 120 °C to about 160 °C, about 120 °C to about 140 °C, about 140 °C to about 180 °C, about 140 °C to about 160 °C, or about 160 °C to about 180 °C).

[0152] The second activation step can be carried out at any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out at superatmospheric pressure. For example, the pressure can be from about 0.1 to about 400 psig (e.g., from about 0.1 to about 300 psig, from about 0.1 to about 200 psig, from about 0.1 to about 100 psig, from about 0.1 to about 50 psig, from about 0.1 to about 10 psig, from about 0.1 to about 5 psig, from about 0.1 to about 1 psig, from about 1 to about 400 psig, from about 1 to about 300 psig, from about 1 to about 200 psig, from about 1 to about 100 psig, from about 1 to about 50 psig, from about 1 to about 10 psig, from about 1 to about 5 psig, from about 5 to about 400 psig, from about 5 to about 300 psig, from about 5 to about 200 psig, from about 5 to about 100 psig, from about 5 to about 50 psig, from about 5 to about 10 psig, from about 10 to about 400 psig, from about 10 to about 300 psig, from about 10 to about 200 psig, from about 10 to about 100 psig, from about 10 to about 50 psig, from about 50 to about 400 psig, from about 50 to about 300 psig, from about 50 to about 200 psig, from about 50 to about 100 psig, from about 100 to about 400 psig, from about 100 to about 300 psig, from about 100 to about 200 psig, from about 200 to about 400 psig, from about 200 to about 300 psig, or from about 300 to about 400 psig).

[0153] The duration of the second activation step can be any suitable duration. For example, the duration of the second activation step can be less than 180 minutes (e.g., less than 120 minutes, 90 minutes, or 60 minutes). In some embodiments, the duration of the second activation step can be greater than 15 minutes (e.g., greater than 30 minutes or 45 minutes). In some embodiments, the second activation step can have a duration of from about 15 minutes to about 180 minutes (e.g., from about 15 to about 120 minutes, from about 15 to about 90 minutes, from about 15 to about 60 minutes, from about 15 to about 45 minutes, from about 15 to about 30 minutes, from about 30 to about 180 minutes, from about 30 to about 120 minutes, from about 30 to about 90 minutes, from about 30 to about 60 minutes, from about 30 to about 45 minutes, from about 45 minutes to about 180 minutes, from about 45 to about 120 minutes, from about 45 to about 90 minutes, from about 45 to about 60 minutes, from about 60 to about 180 minutes, from about 60 to about 120 minutes, from about 60 to about 90 minutes, from about 90 minutes to about 180 minutes, from about 90 to about 120 minutes, or from about 120 to about 180 minutes). It is recognized that the duration of the second activation step will vary depending on many factors, such as the severity of the activation step, e.g., temperature and pressure.

[0154] It is recognized that the temperature, pressure, and duration of the second activation step can be combined in any desired combination. Thus, for example, the second activation step can include subjecting the first activated cellulose stream to a temperature of from 60 to 240°C at a pressure of from 0 to 500 psig for from 15 to 120 minutes, or to a temperature between 80 and 150°C at a pressure of from 0 to 300 psig for at least 60 minutes.

[0155] The second activation step can include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, the conditions of the second activation step can include an alkali treatment. The alkali can be provided in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the alkali can be provided in one or more forms of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and ammonia. In some embodiments, the alkali is sodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment can include any suitable alkali loading. For example, the alkali loading can be from about 1% to about 10% (e.g., about 1% to about 9%, about 1% to about 8%, about 1% to about 7%, about 1% to about 6%, about 1% to about 5%, about 1% to about 4%, about 1% to about 3%, about 1% to about 2%, about 2% to about 10%, about 2% to about 9%, about 2% to about 8%, about 2% to about 7%, about 2% to about 6%, about 2% to about 5%, about 2% to about 4%, about 2% to about 3%, about 3% to about 10%, about 3% to about 9%, about 3% to about 8%, about 3% to about 7%, about 3% to about 6%, about 3% to about 5%, about 3% to about 4%, about 4% to about 10%, about 4% to about 9%, about 4% to about 8%, about 4% to about 7%, about 4% to about 6%, about 4% to about 5%, about 5% to about 10%, about 5% to about 9%, about 5% to about 8%, about 5% to about 7%, about 5% to about 6%, about 6% to about 10%, about 6% to about 9%, about 6% to about 8%, about 6% to about 7%, about 7% to about 10%, about 7% to about 9%, about 7% to about 8%, about 8% to about 10%, about 8% to about 9%, or about 9% to about 10%) of the dry weight of the solids (e.g., the first activated cellulose stream, the washed first activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof) in the second activation step. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that the alkali swells the cellulose and further breaks the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the cellulose, thereby further modifying the crystalline structure.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out in the presence of an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out in the presence of an enzyme, such as laccase and / or a lignin-modifying enzyme.

[0157] In some embodiments, the conditions of the second activation step may include an oxidizing agent. Examples of oxidizing agents suitable for use in the second activation step include, without limitation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oxidizing agent can be charged in any suitable loading amount. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent is present in an amount of about 0.0001% to about 2% (e.g., about 0.0001% to about 1%, about 0.0001% to about 0.1%, about 0.0001% to about 0.01%, about 0.0001% to about 0.001%, about 0.001% to about 2%, about 0.001% to about 1%, about 0.001% to about 0.1%, about 0.001% to about 0.01%, about 0.01% to about 2%, about 0.01% to about 1%, about 0.01% to about 0.1%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, or about 1% to about 2%) of the dry weight of the solids (e.g., the first activated cellulose stream, the washed first activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof) in the second activation step.

[0158] The second activated cellulose stream can have any suitable solids content. In some embodiments, the second activated cellulose stream can have solids in the range of about 5% to 50% by weight, preferably in the range of about 20% to 35% by weight. In some embodiments, the solids can mainly comprise cellulose.

[0159] The second activated cellulose stream can be subjected to one or more washing steps after activation, for example, to remove alkali and solubilized lignin. The second activated cellulose stream can be washed to form a second washed activated cellulose stream. The second activated cellulose stream can be washed with water. The water can contain any suitable solutes. In some embodiments, the washing water can have a temperature of about 40°C to about 100°C (e.g., about 40°C to about 95°C, about 40°C to about 90°C, about 40°C to about 80°C, about 40°C to about 70°C, about 40°C to about 60°C, about 40°C to about 50°C, about 50°C to about 100°C, about 50°C to about 95°C, about 50°C to about 90°C, about 50°C to about 80°C, about 50°C to about 70°C, about 50°C to about 60°C, about 60°C to about 100°C, about 60°C to about 95°C, about 60°C to about 90°C, about 60°C to about 80°C, about 60°C to about 70°C, about 70°C to about 100°C, about 70°C to about 95°C, about 70°C to about 90°C, about 70°C to about 80°C, about 80°C to about 100°C, about 80°C to about 95°C, about 80°C to about 90°C, about 90°C to about 100°C, about 90°C to about 95°C, or about 95°C to about 100°C).

[0160] The second activated cellulose stream, the second washed activated cellulose stream, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or combinations thereof can, in some cases, undergo further processing steps. In some embodiments, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or combinations thereof can be subjected to treatment with one or more enzymes to yield a glucose-rich sugar stream.

[0161] The enzyme can be any suitable enzyme. In some embodiments, the enzyme can be a cellulase enzyme. The treatment with the enzyme can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the treatment with the enzyme can be carried out at a temperature of about 40°C to 55°C.

[0162] Generally, cellulase enzymes that break down cellulose into monomeric sugars can be selected. For example, cellulase enzymes that hydrolyze 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic bonds into monosaccharides can be selected. The cellulase enzyme can include an enzyme having at least one of cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase, and beta-glucosidase activity. The cellulase enzyme preparation can be isolated from several sources, such as natural cultures of bacteria, yeast, or fungi, but those skilled in the art will recognize that enzymes produced using recombinant techniques can be used as described herein. Examples of commercially available enzymes suitable for use in the methods described herein include, but are not limited to, Novozymes Ctec 2 or 3, AB Enzymes Rohament.

[0163] The enzyme can be added in any suitable loading amount. The enzyme can be added at a loading amount of 0.1 to 120 mg, 0.2 to 60 mg, or 1 to 30 mg of enzyme protein per gram of glucan. In one embodiment, the enzyme is added at a loading amount of 0.1 to 5 mg of enzyme protein per gram of glucan in the activated cellulose. In one embodiment, the enzyme is added to the activated cellulose at a loading amount of about 2 to about 60 filter paper units (FPU) / g of glucan, or optionally at a loading amount of about 2 to 30 or 1 to 15 FPU / g of glucan. The enzyme can be added separately to the activated cellulose as is, or it can be combined first with the surfactants and / or dispersants described later.

[0164] The enzyme can be contacted with the activated cellulose for an appropriate length of time (e.g., between 24 and 144 hours, between 48 and 144 hours, between 48 and 60 hours, or between 24 and 72 hours) to convert the cellulose into monomeric sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis.

[0165] In some embodiments, at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the theoretical yield of glucose, based on the glycan content of the activated cellulose, is converted to glucose during enzymatic hydrolysis to produce a glucose-rich sugar stream. In some embodiments, enzymatic hydrolysis is carried out over a predetermined length of time or until a predetermined yield of glucose is obtained. After a certain time, the rate of glucose production from the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose may decrease because the cellulose substrate is depleted or the activity of the cellulase enzyme is inhibited by the presence of glucose.

[0166] Optionally, the activated cellulose may be contacted with the enzyme in the presence of a surfactant and / or a dispersant. In some embodiments, the dispersant is polyaspartic acid.

[0167] The surfactant can be any suitable surfactant. The surfactant can be a non-ionic surfactant, optionally a polysorbate surfactant, such as Tween. The surfactant can also be a blend of surfactants. In some embodiments, the surfactant can be a blend of Tween 80, alkoxylated glyceride, and nonylphenol. In some embodiments, the surfactant is present in a loading amount of less than about 2% and / or more than about 0.01%. In some embodiments, the surfactant can be present in a loading amount between 1% and 0.01%, between 0.5% and 0.05%, or between about 0.1% and 0.2% of the weight of the cellulose content in the activated cellulose.

[0168] The dispersant can be any suitable dispersant. In some embodiments, the dispersant may be an oligopeptide, optionally a non-enzymatic polypeptide having a molecular weight between 500 and 10,000 or between 1000 and 5000. The oligopeptide can be polyaspartic acid. Polyaspartic acid can have a molecular weight between 500 and 10,000, between 1000 and 5000, or between 3500 and 4500. Polyaspartic acid can be present at a loading amount of less than about 2% and / or more than about 0.001% of the weight of the cellulose content in the activated cellulose. In some embodiments, polyaspartic acid can be present at a loading amount between 1% and 0.001%, between 0.25% and 0.025%, or about 0.1% of the weight of the cellulose content in the activated cellulose.

[0169] Optionally, the ratio of the surfactant to the dispersant (e.g., polyaspartic acid) in the enzymatic hydrolysis mix is 0.1:1 to 10:1, optionally 0.5:1 to 2:1.

[0170] Optionally, the molar ratio of the dispersant (e.g., polyaspartic acid) to one or more cellulase enzymes is 0.01 to 10:1.

[0171] Thus, an enzymatic hydrolysis mix containing one or more cellulase enzymes, one or more surfactants, and one or more dispersants can be used in any enzymatic hydrolysis process or in combination with any of the activation and enzymatic hydrolysis steps described herein. The enzymatic hydrolysis mix is particularly suitable for the enzymatic hydrolysis of activated cellulose containing cellulose II and cellulose IV described herein.

[0172] The first soluble extract (e.g., containing hemicellulose) can, in some cases, undergo further processing steps. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract can undergo one or more purification steps to form a purified hemicellulose composition.

[0173] Purification can include any suitable purification step. In some embodiments, the purification steps can include one or more of decolorization, treatment with carbon (e.g., activated carbon), performing ion exchange (IX), performing reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration, in any suitable order. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract is decolorized prior to any other purification step.

[0174] Decolorization can include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, decolorization can include alkaline peroxide conditions. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that alkaline peroxide conditions serve to reduce the molecular weight of hemicellulose in the first soluble extract and / or to release polyphenols and / or other colored compounds from hemicellulose. Decolorization does not necessarily mean that the hemicellulose is completely decolorized, rather it means that the color of the hemicellulose is usually lightened (e.g., the hemicellulose is usually whiter).

[0175] Decolorization can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature can be above about 50 °C (e.g., above about 60 °C or 70 °C). In some embodiments, the temperature can be below about 100 °C (e.g., below about 90 °C or 80 °C). In some embodiments, decolorization can be carried out at a temperature in the range of about 50 °C to about 250 °C (e.g., about 50 °C to about 225 °C, about 50 °C to about 200 °C, about 50 °C to about 175 °C, about 50 °C to about 150 °C, about 50 °C to about 125 °C, about 50 °C to about 100 °C, about 50 °C to about 75 °C, about 75 °C to about 250 °C, about 100 °C to about 250 °C, about 125 °C to about 250 °C, about 150 °C to about 250 °C, about 175 °C to about 250 °C, about 200 °C to about 250 °C, about 225 °C to about 250 °C, about 100 °C to about 200 °C, about 50 °C to about 90 °C, about 60 °C to about 80 °C, about 55 °C to about 85 °C, about 55 °C to about 75 °C, about 55 °C to about 65 °C).

[0176] Decolorization can be carried out at any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, decolorization can be carried out at overpressure. For example, the pressure can be from about 0.1 to about 400 psig (such as from about 0.1 to about 300 psig, from about 0.1 to about 200 psig, from about 0.1 to about 100 psig, from about 0.1 to about 50 psig, from about 0.1 to about 10 psig, from about 0.1 to about 5 psig, from about 0.1 to about 1 psig, from about 1 to about 400 psig, from about 1 to about 300 psig, from about 1 to about 200 psig, from about 1 to about 100 psig, from about 1 to about 50 psig, from about 1 to about 10 psig, from about 1 to about 5 psig, from about 5 to about 400 psig, from about 5 to about 300 psig, from about 5 to about 200 psig, from about 5 to about 100 psig, from about 5 to about 50 psig, from about 5 to about 10 psig, from about 10 to about 400 psig, from about 10 to about 300 psig, from about 10 to about 200 psig, from about 10 to about 100 psig, from about 10 to about 50 psig, from about 50 to about 400 psig, from about 50 to about 300 psig, from about 50 to about 200 psig, from about 50 to about 100 psig, from about 100 to about 400 psig, from about 100 to about 300 psig, from about 100 to about 200 psig, from about 200 to about 400 psig, from about 200 to about 300 psig, or from about 300 to about 400 psig).

[0177] The duration of decolorization can be any suitable duration. For example, the duration of decolorization can be less than about 5 hours (such as less than about 4 hours or less than about 3 hours). In some embodiments, the duration of decolorization can be more than 1 hour (such as more than 2 hours). In some embodiments, decolorization can have a duration of from about 1 hour to about 5 hours (such as from about 1 hour to about 4 hours, from about 1 hour to about 3 hours, from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, from about 2 hours to about 5 hours, from about 2 hours to about 4 hours, from about 2 hours to about 3 hours, from about 3 hours to about 5 hours, from about 3 hours to about 4 hours, from about 4 hours to about 5 hours, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, or about 5 hours). It is recognized that the duration of decolorization will vary depending on many factors such as the severity of the decolorization step, for example, temperature and pressure.

[0178] The temperature, pressure, and duration of decolorization are recognized to be combinable in any desired combination. Thus, for example, decolorization can include subjecting the first soluble extract to a temperature between 60 and 80 °C for 2 to 4 hours at a pressure of 0 to 500 psig, or to a temperature between 70 and 90 °C for at least 1 hour at a pressure of 0 to 300 psig.

[0179] In some embodiments, decolorization can include an alkali treatment. The alkali can be provided in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the alkali can be provided in one or more forms of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and ammonia. In some embodiments, the alkali is sodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment can be at any suitable pH. In some embodiments, the alkali treatment can be carried out at a pH of about 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., about 9.5 to about 11.0, about 9.5 to about 10.5, about 9.5 to about 10.0, about 10.0 to about 11.5, about 10.0 to about 11.0, about 10.0 to about 10.5, about 10.5 to about 11.5, about 10.5 to about 11.0, about 11.0 to about 11.5, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.5, about 11.0, or about 11.5).

[0180] In some embodiments, decolorization can include treatment with an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, decolorization can include an enzyme, such as laccase and / or lignin-modifying enzyme.

[0181] In some embodiments, decolorization can include treatment with an oxidizing agent. Examples of oxidizing agents suitable for use in the decolorization step include, without limitation, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oxidizing agent can be charged in any suitable loading amount. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent can be charged in an amount of about 5 to about 40% (e.g., about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 40%, about 10% to about 30%, about 10% to about 20%, about 20% to about 40%, about 20% to about 30%, or about 30% to about 40%) of the dry weight of one or more components in hemicellulose (e.g., xylan (e.g., arabinoxylan)).

[0182] Carbon treatment may include treating a first soluble extract (or a first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) with carbon (e.g., activated carbon). The loading amount of carbon can be any suitable loading amount. For example, carbon (e.g., activated carbon) can be used in an amount of about 0.05% to about 0.5% (e.g., 0.05% to about 0.4%, about 0.05% to about 0.3%, about 0.05% to about 0.2%, about 0.05% to about 0.1%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.1% to about 0.4%, about 0.1% to about 0.3%, about 0.1% to about 0.2%, about 0.2% to about 0.5%, about 0.2% to about 0.4%, about 0.2% to about 0.3%, about 0.3% to about 0.5%, about 0.3% to about 0.4%, about 0.4% to about 0.5%, about 0.05%, about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%) of one or more components in hemicellulose (e.g., xylan (e.g., arabinoxylan)) by dry weight.

[0183] Ion exchange (e.g., of a first soluble extract or a first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) may include passing the first soluble extract (or a first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) over an ion exchange resin. The ion exchange resin can be any suitable ion exchange resin, e.g., a cation exchange resin or an anion exchange resin. In some embodiments, both a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin are used while the first soluble extract (or a first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) is being purified (this may be referred to as two-stage ion exchange).

[0184] Reverse osmosis (e.g., of the first soluble extract or the first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) can include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, a nanofiltration membrane (e.g., a filter with a pore size of about 1 to about 10 nm) can be used in reverse osmosis. In some embodiments, an ultrafiltration membrane (e.g., a filter with a pore size of about 0.01 μm to about 0.1 μm) can be used in reverse osmosis. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that reverse osmosis using a nanofilter can remove low molecular weight impurities, ions, and / or water and can concentrate hemicellulose.

[0185] Nanofiltration (e.g., of the first soluble extract or the first soluble extract that has undergone one or more purification steps) can include any suitable conditions. Without wishing to be bound by a particular theory, it is believed that nanofiltration can remove low molecular weight impurities, ions, and / or water and can concentrate hemicellulose.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first soluble extract can be purified by sequential decolorization, carbon treatment, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis using a nanofilter to form a purified hemicellulose composition.

[0187] In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used in the production of glucose (e.g., dextrose) described herein can be the same type of lignocellulosic biomass as the lignocellulosic biomass used in the production of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein (e.g., both are corn stover or both are wheat straw). In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used in the production of glucose (e.g., dextrose) described herein can be the same lignocellulosic biomass as the lignocellulosic biomass used in the production of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein (e.g., the same lot of corn stover or the same lot of wheat straw).

[0188] Hemicellulose (e.g., crude hemicellulose) may be prepared by methods other than the methods disclosed in detail herein (e.g., from lignocellulosic biomass using the first activation step disclosed herein and washing the first activated cellulose stream to form the first soluble extract described herein). For example, crude hemicellulose can be obtained from commercial suppliers. Crude hemicellulose may, in some cases, have an alkaline pH. In some embodiments, the crude hemicellulose has a hemicellulose moiety with a molecular weight (M w ) of at least about 20 kDa (e.g., at least about 30, 50, 75, or 100 kDa). In some embodiments, the hemicellulose may have a molecular weight of from about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa (e.g., from about 20 to about 250 kDa, from about 20 to about 200 kDa, from about 20 to about 150 kDa, from about 20 to about 100 kDa, from about 20 to about 50 kDa, from about 50 to about 300 kDa, from about 100 to about 300 kDa, from about 150 to about 300 kDa, from about 200 to about 200 kDa, from about 250 to about 300 kDa, or from about 100 to about 200 kDa).

[0189] Treating the crude hemicellulose to a molecular weight (M w) can be reduced to form degraded hemicellulose. In some embodiments, alkaline conditions can be used to reduce the molecular weight of the crude hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the alkaline conditions can include a pH of 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., about 9.5 to about 11.0, about 9.5 to about 10.5, about 9.5 to about 10.0, about 10.0 to about 11.5, about 10.0 to about 11.0, about 10.0 to about 10.5, about 10.5 to about 11.5, about 10.5 to about 11.0, about 11.0 to about 11.5, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.5, about 11.0, or about 11.5). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the reduction in molecular weight is related to the pH, duration, temperature, and pressure of the treatment. In some embodiments, the pressure can be atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the duration of the alkaline treatment can be from about 30 minutes to about 8 hours (e.g., about 30 minutes to about 6 hours, about 30 minutes to about 4 hours, about 30 minutes to about 2 hours, about 30 minutes to about 1 hour, about 1 hour to about 8 hours, about 1 hour to about 6 hours, about 1 hour to about 4 hours, about 1 hour to about 2 hours, about 2 hours to about 8 hours, about 2 hours to about 6 hours, about 2 hours to about 4 hours, about 4 hours to about 8 hours, about 4 hours to about 6 hours, or about 6 hours to about 8 hours). In some embodiments, the temperature can be from about 60°C to about 150°C (e.g., about 60°C to about 140°C, about 60°C to about 120°C, about 60°C to about 100°C, about 60°C to about 80°C, about 60°C to about 100°C, about 80°C to about 150°C, about 80°C to about 140°C, about 80°C to about 120°C, about 80°C to about 100°C, about 100°C to about 150°C, about 100°C to about 140°C, about 100°C to about 120°C, about 100°C to about 150°C, about 100°C to about 140°C, about 100°C to about 120°C, about 120°C to about 150°C, about 120°C to about 140°C, about 140°C to about 150°C, about 60°C, about 70°C, about 80°C, about 90°C, about 100°C, about 110°C, about 120°C, about 130°C, about 140°C, or about 150°C). The alkaline treatment can reduce the molecular weight to the desired molecular weight depending on the conditions.In some embodiments, the molecular weight of the alkali-treated hemicellulose can be from about 4500 to about 6500 Da (e.g., from about 4500 to about 6000 Da, from about 4500 to about 5500 Da, from about 4500 to about 5000 Da, from about 5000 to about 6500 Da, from about 5000 to about 6000 Da, from about 5000 to about 5500 Da, from about 5500 to about 6500, from about 5500 to about 6000 Da, or from about 6000 to about 6500 Da).

[0190] The depolymerized hemicellulose can be purified using any suitable purification step to form the purified hemicellulose composition described herein. In some embodiments, the depolymerized hemicellulose can be purified using any of the purification steps described herein to form the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the depolymerized hemicellulose can be passed through treatment with carbon (e.g., activated carbon), ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, or nanofiltration, in any suitable order, to form the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition produced from the depolymerized hemicellulose can be used in a sweetener composition, e.g., any of the sweetener compositions described herein.

[0191] In some embodiments, the depolymerized hemicellulose can be combined with the decolorized hemicellulose in any suitable ratio. For example, from about 25% to about 75% (e.g., from about 25% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 75%, about 25%, about 50%, or about 75%) by dry weight of the depolymerized hemicellulose can be combined with from about 25% to about 75% (e.g., from about 25% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 75%, about 25%, about 50%, or about 75%) by dry weight of the decolorized hemicellulose. Such combinations can, in some embodiments, be passed through treatment with carbon (e.g., activated carbon), ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, or nanofiltration, in any suitable order, to form the purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition produced from the combination of the depolymerized hemicellulose and the decolorized hemicellulose can be used in a sweetener composition, e.g., any of the sweetener compositions described herein.

[0192] The purified hemicellulose composition can be dried (e.g., partially or completely dried). The purified hemicellulose composition can be dried using any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition can be dried using spray drying, mat drying, or freeze drying.

[0193] This document also provides a method for preparing a sweetener composition. Any of the sweetener compositions described herein can be prepared by the method described herein. The method for preparing a sweetener composition may include the step of combining glucose (e.g., as dextrose, or as a combination of glucose and dextrose) and a purified hemicellulose composition. The combining step can include any suitable step. In some embodiments, the combining step can include mixing, blending, stirring, dissolving, emulsifying, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, dry glucose and a dry purified hemicellulose composition can be mixed together, and optionally, water (e.g., as about 70% to about 80% dry matter) can be added to form a syrup. In some embodiments, the dry purified hemicellulose composition can be added to glucose syrup (e.g., by mixing, blending, dissolving, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, dry glucose can be added to a purified hemicellulose composition in the form of syrup (e.g., by mixing, blending, dissolving, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, glucose syrup can be combined with a purified hemicellulose composition in the form of syrup (e.g., by mixing or blending). The purified hemicellulose composition can be any of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. Glucose and the purified hemicellulose composition can be combined, for example, in any suitable ratio to obtain any of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, in some embodiments, about 1 to about 20 (e.g., about 1 to about 15, about 1 to about 10, about 1 to about 5, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 15, about 5 to about 10, about 10 to about 20, about 10 to about 15, about 15 to about 20, about 1, about 2, about 5, about 10, about 15, or about 20) parts of glucose by dry weight can be combined with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight. For example, in some embodiments, about 1 to about 20 (e.g., about 1 to about 15, about 1 to about 10, about 1 to about 5, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 15, about 5 to about 10, about 10 to about 20, about 10 to about 15, about 15 to about 20, about 1, about 2, about 5, about 10, about 15, or about 20) parts of purified hemicellulose by dry weight can be combined with about 1 part of glucose by dry weight.

[0194] In one embodiment, a composition comprising glucose and purified hemicellulose is prepared by the following method. Treat the lignocellulosic biomass with steam to extract the lignocellulosic biomass, hydrolyze the lignocellulosic biomass, and separate hemicellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass matrix. (For exemplary treatments, see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1) or PCT Publication No. WO2016161515(A1), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.) Recover hemicellulose by washing with water (for details of exemplary washing, see, for example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1) or PCT Publication No. WO2016161515(A1).) Purify hemicellulose sequentially by treatment with activated carbon (to remove organic impurities) and then removal of inorganic impurities by two-stage ion exchange (cation / anion). Optionally, concentrate and / or dry the hemicellulose.

[0195] In the foregoing example, hemicellulose is purified sequentially by treatment with activated carbon and then two-stage ion exchange. However, it is understood by those skilled in the art that there are alternative methods known in the art for purifying hemicellulose, by which a similarly purified product can be obtained.

[0196] Concentration of hemicellulose can be carried out, for example, by evaporation or reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis can be used to preconcentrate hemicellulose, followed by evaporation. Various drying methods are known in the art and can be used alone or in combination with various concentration methods. A preferred evaporation method for maintaining taste and / or color is falling-film evaporation under vacuum. Preferred drying methods for maintaining taste and / or color are freeze-drying or spray-drying.

[0197] The sweetener composition containing dextrose and hemicellulose described herein can be used in the manufacture of food and beverages. Such sweetener compositions can also be used as additives in pharmaceutical compositions or supplements, particularly those administered orally. Supplements can include, but are not limited to, natural health products, fiber supplements, vitamin or mineral supplements, protein or amino acid supplements, and the like. The sweetener compositions described herein can also be sold for household use, for example, as a sugar substitute in cooking or baking, or for use as a condiment.

[0198] The sweetener composition containing dextrose and purified hemicellulose described herein can be used as a food ingredient that imparts properties other than sweetness to edible products. For example, the ratio of dextrose to purified hemicellulose can be selected to increase viscosity or water retention properties, and may impart very little or no sweet flavor. In a further aspect, purified hemicellulose can be used alone as a food additive as a source of soluble fiber and / or prebiotics. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose is hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed. Purified hemicellulose can include xylose, and xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. Purified hemicellulose can further include other sugar polymers. The other sugar polymers may also be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed into the sugars that make them up or oligosaccharides of such sugars. In one embodiment, purified hemicellulose can include up to 10% other sugar polymers. In some embodiments of the purified and hydrolyzed hemicellulose, the amount of xylan can range from 20 - 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5 - 60%, and the amount of xylose can range from 1 - 40%. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan can range from 50 - 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5 - 30%, and the amount of xylose can range from 1 - 25%. In some embodiments, the purified and hydrolyzed hemicellulose includes about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharides, and about 4% xylose.

[0199] In another aspect, a composition is provided that includes partially hydrolyzed cellulose and partially or fully hydrolyzed hemicellulose. The composition can be used as a sweetener or food additive, and can be used to impart sweetness or viscosity or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition includes dextrose, oligosaccharides of dextrose, and purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose includes xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In yet a further aspect, the composition of the purified hemicellulose can further include other sugar polymers. The other sugar polymers may also be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed into the sugars that make them up or oligosaccharides of such sugars. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose can include up to 10% other sugar polymers. In some embodiments of the purified, hydrolyzed hemicellulose, the amount of xylan can range from 20% to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5% to 60%, and the xylose can range from 1% to 40%. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan can range from 50% to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can range from 5% to 30%, and the xylose can range from 1% to 25%. In some embodiments, the purified, hydrolyzed hemicellulose includes about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharides, and about 4% xylose.

[0200] In a further aspect, the compositions described herein can be used as a taste modulator. The compositions can be used to modify the taste of high-intensity sweeteners and bulk sweeteners, such as other sweeteners including erythritol.

[0201] Exemplary Embodiments Embodiment 1 is about 5% to about 95% glucose by dry weight, and about 5% to about 95% purified hemicellulose by dry weight is a sweetener composition comprising.

[0202] Embodiment 2 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 1, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan.

[0203] Embodiment 3 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains a hydrolysis product of xylose, a hydrolysis product of xylo-oligosaccharide, or a hydrolysis product of xylan.

[0204] Embodiment 4 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, which contains about 30% to about 75% glucose by dry weight.

[0205] Embodiment 5 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, which contains about 40% to about 60% glucose by dry weight.

[0206] Embodiment 6 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, which contains about 45% to about 55% glucose by dry weight.

[0207] Embodiment 7 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, which contains about 30% to about 75% purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0208] Embodiment 8 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, which contains about 40% to about 60% purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0209] Embodiment 9 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, which contains about 45% to about 55% purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0210] Embodiment 10 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 20% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0211] Embodiment 11 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 30% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0212] Embodiment 12 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylan in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0213] Embodiment 13 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylan in an amount of about 80% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0214] Embodiment 14 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylan in an amount of about 87% by dry weight.

[0215] Embodiment 15 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 14, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 70% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0216] Embodiment 16 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 14, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 80% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0217] Embodiment 17 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 14, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 90% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0218] Embodiment 18 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 2 to 14, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 95% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0219] Embodiment 19 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharides in an amount of about 5% to about 60% by dry weight.

[0220] Embodiment 20 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharides in an amount of about 5% to about 30% by dry weight.

[0221] Embodiment 21 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide in an amount of about 5% to about 15% by dry weight.

[0222] Embodiment 22 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide in an amount of about 9% by dry weight.

[0223] Embodiment 23 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 25% by dry weight.

[0224] Embodiment 24 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 40% by dry weight.

[0225] Embodiment 25 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 10% by dry weight.

[0226] Embodiment 26 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose in an amount of about 4% by dry weight.

[0227] Embodiment 27 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0228] Embodiment 28 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0229] Embodiment 29 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0230] Embodiment 30 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0231] Embodiment 31 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 30, which contains less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0232] Embodiment 32 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 30, which contains less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0233] Embodiment 33 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 30, which contains less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0234] Embodiment 34 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0235] Embodiment 35 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0236] Embodiment 36 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0237] Embodiment 37 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 36, which contains less than 10% by dry weight of dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a sugar or sugar polymer that is not a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0238] Embodiment 38 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 36, containing less than 5% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0239] Embodiment 39 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 36, containing less than 1% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0240] Embodiment 40 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of about 35 to about 75.

[0241] Embodiment 41 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of about 40 to about 65.

[0242] Embodiment 42 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

[0243] Embodiment 43 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of 42.

[0244] Embodiment 44 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of 53.

[0245] Embodiment 45 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 39, having a DE of 63.

[0246] Embodiment 46 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 45, having a glycemic index of about 35 to about 50.

[0247] Embodiment 47 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 45, having a glycemic index of about 40 to about 45.

[0248] Embodiment 48 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 45, having a glycemic index of about 42.

[0249] Embodiment 49 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 48, providing about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0250] Embodiment 50 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 48, providing about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0251] Embodiment 51 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 48, providing about 190 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0252] Embodiment 52 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 51, containing soluble fiber.

[0253] Embodiment 53 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 52, containing about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0254] Embodiment 54 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 52, containing about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0255] Embodiment 55 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 52, containing about 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0256] Embodiment 56 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 55, containing prebiotics.

[0257] Embodiment 57 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 55, containing about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0258] Embodiment 58 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 55, containing about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0259] Embodiment 59 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 55, containing about 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0260] Embodiment 60 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 59, which does not contain insoluble fiber.

[0261] Embodiment 61 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 60, in which glucose is provided at least in part in the form of dextrose.

[0262] Embodiment 62 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 61, which is a solid.

[0263] Embodiment 63 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 61, which is a syrup.

[0264] Embodiment 64 is a sweetener composition according to Embodiment 63, having a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0265] Embodiment 65 is a sweetener composition according to Embodiment 63, having a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0266] Embodiment 66 is a sweetener composition according to Embodiment 63, having a viscosity of about 2800 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0267] Embodiment 67 is about 48% to about 53% dextrose by dry weight, about 41% to about 45% xylan by dry weight, about 4% to about 5% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 2% to about 2.5% xylose by dry weight It is a sweetener composition containing

[0268] Embodiment 68 is Dextrose at about 50% by dry weight, Xylan at about 43% by dry weight, Xylooligosaccharide at about 4% by dry weight, and Xylose at about 2% by dry weight It is a sweetener composition containing

[0269] Embodiment 69 is an edible product containing any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68.

[0270] Embodiment 70 is a pharmaceutical composition containing any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68.

[0271] Embodiment 71 is a dietary supplement containing any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68.

[0272] Embodiment 72 is the use of any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68 in an edible product.

[0273] Embodiment 73 is the use of any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68 in a pharmaceutical composition.

[0274] Embodiment 74 is the use of any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68 in a dietary supplement.

[0275] Embodiment 75 is a method for sweetening an edible product, which includes the step of adding any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68 to the edible product.

[0276] Embodiment 76 is a method for sweetening a pharmaceutical composition, which includes the step of adding any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 - 68 to the pharmaceutical composition.

[0277] Embodiment 77 is a method for sweetening a dietary supplement, which includes the step of adding any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68 to the dietary supplement.

[0278] Embodiment 78 is a method for reducing the calorie content of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the step of preparing a cooking method including an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and the step of preparing the edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68 in an amount of about 50% to about 150% of a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is a method including.

[0279] Embodiment 79 is a method for reducing the glycemic index of an edible product prepared from a cooking method, the step of preparing a cooking method including an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and the step of preparing the edible product according to the cooking method except that at least a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68 in an amount of about 50% to about 150% of a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is a method including.

[0280] Embodiment 80 is the method of Embodiment 78 or Embodiment 79, wherein a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68 in an amount of about 80% to about 120% of a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

[0281] Embodiment 81 is the method of Embodiment 78 or Embodiment 79, wherein a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68 in an amount of about 100% of a part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

[0282] Embodiment 82 is about 82% to about 92% xylan by dry weight, About 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and About 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight It is a purified hemicellulose composition containing

[0283] Embodiment 83 is About 87% to about 88% xylan by dry weight, About 8% to about 9% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and About 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight It is a purified hemicellulose composition containing

[0284] Embodiment 84 is About 87.3% xylan by dry weight, About 8.5% xylooligosaccharide by dry weight, and About 4.2% xylose by dry weight It is a purified hemicellulose composition containing

[0285] Embodiment 85 is an off - white colored purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 82 - 84.

[0286] Embodiment 86 is a purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 82 - 85 having a molecular weight (Mw) of less than 4000 Da.

[0287] Embodiment 87 is a purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 82 - 86 having a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by dry weight.

[0288] Embodiment 88 is a purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 82 - 87 having an antioxidant level of less than about 10000 μmol TE / 100 g.

[0289] Embodiment 89 is a purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 82 - 88 having a purity of at least 95%.

[0290] Embodiment 90 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 89, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 70% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0291] Embodiment 91 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 90, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 80% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0292] Embodiment 92 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 90, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 90% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0293] Embodiment 93 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 90, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan in an amount of about 95% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0294] Embodiment 94 is an edible product comprising a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93.

[0295] Embodiment 95 is a sweetener composition comprising a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93.

[0296] Embodiment 96 is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93.

[0297] Embodiment 97 is a dietary supplement comprising a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93.

[0298] Embodiment 98 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93 in an edible product.

[0299] Embodiment 99 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 82 to 93 in a sweetener composition.

[0300] Embodiment 100 is the use of any one of the purified hemicellulose compositions of Embodiments 82 to 93 in a pharmaceutical composition.

[0301] Embodiment 101 is the use of any one of the purified hemicellulose compositions of Embodiments 82 to 93 in a dietary supplement.

[0302] Embodiment 102 is a method for preparing purified hemicellulose, comprising: providing a lignocellulosic biomass; combining the lignocellulosic biomass with water; activating the lignocellulosic biomass and water using conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure to form a first activated cellulose stream; washing the first activated cellulose stream to form a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract, wherein the first soluble extract contains hemicellulose; and purifying the first soluble extract to form purified hemicellulose.

[0303] Embodiment 103 is the method of Embodiment 102, wherein the first temperature is from about 190 °C to about 225 °C.

[0304] Embodiment 104 is the method of Embodiment 102 or 103, wherein the first pressure is from about 200 to about 500 psig.

[0305] Embodiment 105 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 to 104, wherein the activation step has a duration of from about 1 to about 30 minutes.

[0306] Embodiment 106 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 to 105, wherein the washing includes washing with water at a temperature of from about 40 °C to about 100 °C.

[0307] Embodiment 107 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 102 to 106, wherein the purification includes one or more of decolorization, treatment with carbon, performance of ion exchange (IX), performance of reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or a combination thereof.

[0308] Embodiment 108 is a method according to Embodiment 107, wherein the treatment with carbon is treatment with activated carbon.

[0309] Embodiment 109 is a method according to Embodiment 107, wherein the performance of IX includes the performance of two-stage ion exchange.

[0310] Embodiment 110 is a method according to Embodiment 107, wherein the performance of reverse osmosis includes the use of a nanofiltration membrane.

[0311] Embodiment 111 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 107 to 110, wherein the decolorization includes an alkali peroxide treatment.

[0312] Embodiment 112 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 107 to 110, wherein the decolorization includes conditions including a pH of from about 9.5 to about 11.5.

[0313] Embodiment 113 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 107 to 110, wherein the decolorization includes conditions including a pH of from about 10.0 to about 11.0.

[0314] Embodiment 114 is a method according to any one of Embodiments 107 to 111, wherein the decolorization includes a peroxide treatment.

[0315] Embodiment 115 is a method according to Embodiment 114, wherein the peroxide treatment includes a peroxide loading of from about 5% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the xylan component of the hemicellulose.

[0316] Embodiment 116 is a method according to Embodiment 114, wherein the peroxide treatment includes a peroxide loading of from about 5% to about 40% based on the dry weight of the arabinoxylan component of the hemicellulose.

[0317] Embodiment 117 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 107 - 116, having a duration of decolorization of about 1 to about 5 hours.

[0318] Embodiment 118 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 107 - 116, having a duration of decolorization of about 2 to about 4 hours.

[0319] Embodiment 119 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 107 - 118, wherein the decolorization is carried out at a temperature of about 50°C to about 100°C.

[0320] Embodiment 120 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 107 - 118, wherein the decolorization is carried out at a temperature of about 60°C to about 80°C.

[0321] Embodiment 121 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 - 108, wherein for forming purified hemicellulose, the purification includes sequentially carrying out decolorization, treatment with carbon, ion exchange (IX), and reverse osmosis.

[0322] Embodiment 122 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 - 121, further including the step of adding degraded hemicellulose to the decolorized hemicellulose.

[0323] Embodiment 123 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 - 122, further including the step of drying the purified hemicellulose.

[0324] Embodiment 124 is purified hemicellulose prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 102 - 123.

[0325] Embodiment 125 is a method for preparing a sweetener composition, comprising the step of preparing glucose, the step of preparing purified hemicellulose, and the step of combining glucose and purified hemicellulose to form a sweetener composition and including the method.

[0326] Embodiment 126 is the method of Embodiment 124, wherein the glucose includes glucose prepared from lignocellulosic biomass.

[0327] Embodiment 127 is the method of any one of Embodiments 125 to 126, wherein the purified hemicellulose includes purified hemicellulose prepared from lignocellulosic biomass.

[0328] Embodiment 128 is the method of Embodiment 126 or Embodiment 127, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass includes hardwood, softwood, plant stems, plant axes, or combinations thereof.

[0329] Embodiment 129 is the method of Embodiment 126 or Embodiment 127, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass includes rice straw, wheat flour, bran, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, or combinations thereof.

[0330] Embodiment 130 is the method of any one of Embodiments 125 to 129, wherein the glucose is prepared by a method including steam treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof.

[0331] Embodiment 131 is the method of any one of Embodiments 125 to 130, wherein the purified hemicellulose is prepared by a method including steam treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof.

[0332] Embodiment 132 is the method of any one of Embodiments 125 to 131, wherein the hemicellulose is prepared by the method of any one of Embodiments 102 to 123.

[0333] Embodiment 133 is the method of any one of Embodiments 125 to 132, wherein the purified hemicellulose is the purified hemicellulose of any one of Embodiments 82 to 93.

[0334] Embodiment 134 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 133, wherein about 1 to 20 parts of glucose by dry weight is combined with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0335] Embodiment 135 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 133, wherein about 1 part of glucose by dry weight is combined with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0336] Embodiment 136 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 135, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan.

[0337] Embodiment 137 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 135, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains a hydrolysis product of xylose, a hydrolysis product of xylooligosaccharide, or a hydrolysis product of xylan.

[0338] Embodiment 138 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 137, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 30% to about 75% of glucose by dry weight.

[0339] Embodiment 139 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 137, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 40% to about 60% of glucose by dry weight.

[0340] Embodiment 140 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 137, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 45% to about 55% of glucose by dry weight.

[0341] Embodiment 141 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 140, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 30% to about 75% of purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0342] Embodiment 142 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 140, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 40% to about 60% of purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0343] Embodiment 143 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 140, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 45% to about 55% purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

[0344] Embodiment 144 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 20% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0345] Embodiment 145 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 30% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0346] Embodiment 146 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 50% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0347] Embodiment 147 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 80% to about 95% xylan by dry weight.

[0348] Embodiment 148 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 - 143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains about 87% xylan by dry weight.

[0349] Embodiment 149 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 135 - 148, wherein the xylan contains about 70% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight.

[0350] Embodiment 150 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 135 - 148, wherein the xylan contains about 80% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight.

[0351] Embodiment 151 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 135 - 148, wherein the xylan contains about 90% to about 99% arabinoxylan by dry weight.

[0352] Embodiment 152 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 135 to 148, wherein the xylan contains arabinoxylan at about 95% to about 99% by dry weight.

[0353] Embodiment 153 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide at about 5% to about 60% by dry weight.

[0354] Embodiment 154 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide at about 5% to about 30% by dry weight.

[0355] Embodiment 155 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide at about 5% to about 15% by dry weight.

[0356] Embodiment 156 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylooligosaccharide at about 9% by dry weight.

[0357] Embodiment 157 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose at about 0.1% to about 25% by dry weight.

[0358] Embodiment 158 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose at about 0.1% to about 40% by dry weight.

[0359] Embodiment 159 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose at about 0.1% to about 10% by dry weight.

[0360] Embodiment 160 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose at about 4% by dry weight.

[0361] Embodiment 161 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 160, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0362] Embodiment 162 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0363] Embodiment 163 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0364] Embodiment 164 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0365] Embodiment 165 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0366] Embodiment 166 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0367] Embodiment 167 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by dry weight of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

[0368] Embodiment 168 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by dry weight of a sugar or sugar polymer that is not xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

[0369] Embodiment 169 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.

[0370] Embodiment 170 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.

[0371] Embodiment 171 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.

[0372] Embodiment 172 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.

[0373] Embodiment 173 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by dry weight of sugars or sugar polymers that are not dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof.

[0374] Embodiment 174 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of about 35 to about 75.

[0375] Embodiment 175 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of about 40 to about 65.

[0376] Embodiment 176 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

[0377] Embodiment 177 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42.

[0378] Embodiment 178 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 53.

[0379] Embodiment 179 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 63.

[0380] Embodiment 180 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of about 35 to about 50.

[0381] Embodiment 181 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of about 40 to about 45.

[0382] Embodiment 182 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of about 42.

[0383] Embodiment 183 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 182, wherein the sweetener composition provides about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0384] Embodiment 184 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 182, wherein the sweetener composition provides about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0385] Embodiment 185 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 182, wherein the sweetener composition provides about 190 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0386] Embodiment 186 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 185, wherein the sweetener composition contains soluble fiber.

[0387] Embodiment 187 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 186, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0388] Embodiment 188 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 186, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0389] Embodiment 189 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 186, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0390] Embodiment 190 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 189, wherein the sweetener composition contains prebiotics.

[0391] Embodiment 191 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 189, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0392] Embodiment 192 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 189, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0393] Embodiment 193 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 189, wherein the sweetener composition contains about 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of the sweetener composition.

[0394] Embodiment 194 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 193, wherein the sweetener composition does not contain insoluble fiber.

[0395] Embodiment 195 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 194, wherein glucose is provided at least in part in the form of dextrose.

[0396] Embodiment 196 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 195, where the sweetener composition is a solid.

[0397] Embodiment 197 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 196, where the sweetener composition is a syrup.

[0398] Embodiment 198 is the method of Embodiment 197, where the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0399] Embodiment 199 is the method of Embodiment 197, where the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0400] Embodiment 200 is the method of Embodiment 197, where the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2800 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

[0401] Embodiment 201 is a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200.

[0402] Embodiment 202 is an edible product containing a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200.

[0403] Embodiment 203 is a pharmaceutical composition containing a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200.

[0404] Embodiment 204 is a dietary supplement containing a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200.

[0405] Embodiment 205 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200 in an edible product.

[0406] Embodiment 206 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200 in a pharmaceutical composition.

[0407] Embodiment 207 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by any one of the methods of Embodiments 125 to 200 in a dietary supplement.

[0408] Embodiment 208 is an edible product containing a certain amount of any one of the sweetener compositions of Embodiments 1 to 68, having sensory properties comparable to those of a similar edible product containing a certain amount of another sweetener composition other than the sweetener composition, and the amount of the sweetener composition in the edible product is about 50% to about 150% of the amount of the other sweetener composition in the similar edible product.

[0409] Embodiment 209 is the method of Embodiment 208, wherein the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the sweetener composition is about 50% to about 150% of the DE of another sweetener composition.

[0410] Embodiment 210 is any one of the edible products of Embodiments 208 to 209, having a calorie content of about 95% or less of the calorie content of a similar edible product.

[0411] Embodiment 211 is any one of the edible products of Embodiments 208 to 209, having a calorie content of about 92% or less of the calorie content of a similar edible product.

[0412] Embodiment 212 is any one of the edible products of Embodiments 208 to 211, wherein one serving of the edible product provides at least 1 gram more dietary fiber than one serving of a similar edible product.

[0413] Embodiment 213 is any one of the edible products of Embodiments 208 to 211, wherein one serving of the edible product provides at least 2 grams more dietary fiber than one serving of a similar edible product.

[0414] Embodiment 214 is an edible product according to any one of Embodiments 208 to 213, wherein the DE of the sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 68 is from about 30 to about 75.

[0415] Embodiment 215 is an edible product according to any one of Embodiments 208 to 213, wherein the DE of the sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 68 is 42, 53, or 63.

[0416] Embodiment 216 is a sweetener composition containing glucose, xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan.

[0417] Embodiment 217 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216, wherein glucose, xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan are obtained from lignocellulosic biomass.

[0418] Embodiment 218 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216 or 217, wherein glucose is obtained from cellulose, and xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan are obtained from hemicellulose.

[0419] Embodiment 219 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 218, having a DE of 35 to 75.

[0420] Embodiment 220 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 219, having a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

[0421] Embodiment 221 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 220, having a DE of 53.

[0422] Embodiment 222 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216, having a viscosity of about 2800 (cP) at 120°F.

[0423] Embodiment 223 is a sweetener composition according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 222, having fewer calories per gram than corn syrup of the same DE.

[0424] Embodiment 224 is a sweetener composition containing 50.4 wt% dextrose, 2.1 wt% xylose, 4.2 wt% xylooligosaccharide, and 43.3 wt% xylan.

[0425] Embodiment 225 is a method for producing a sweetener from lignocellulosic biomass, comprising the steps of obtaining glucose, obtaining purified hemicellulose, and combining glucose and purified hemicellulose in a method.

[0426] Embodiment 226 is the method of Embodiment 225, wherein the glucose is dextrose obtained by hydrolysis of cellulose.

[0427] Embodiment 227 is the method of Embodiment 225, wherein the purified hemicellulose is composed of a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan.

[0428] Embodiment 228 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, wherein the purified hemicellulose is prepared by steam treatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

[0429] Embodiment 229 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, wherein the purified hemicellulose is prepared by enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

[0430] Embodiment 230 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, wherein the purified hemicellulose is prepared by steam treatment and enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

[0431] Embodiment 231 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 225 to 230, wherein glucose and a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan are combined in a ratio such that a sweetener having a desired dextrose equivalent (DE) value is obtained.

[0432] Embodiment 232 is the method of Embodiment 231 where the DE value is in the range of 35 to 75.

[0433] Embodiment 233 is the method of Embodiment 232 where the DE is in the range of 40 to 64.

[0434] Embodiment 234 is the method of Embodiment 233 where the DE is 53, 42, or 63.

[0435] Embodiment 235 is any one of the methods of Embodiments 225 to 234 where glucose and purified hemicellulose are produced in the same processing facility and / or from the same lignocellulosic material source.

[0436] Embodiment 236 is the use of a sweetener according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 224 in a food or beverage.

[0437] Embodiment 237 is the use of a sweetener according to any one of Embodiments 216 to 224 in a pharmaceutical or supplement.

[0438] Embodiment 238 is a food additive containing purified hemicellulose that is purified by sequentially treating with activated carbon (to remove organic impurities) and then two-stage ion exchange (cation / anion) to remove inorganic impurities.

[0439] Embodiment 239 is the food additive of Embodiment 238 where the purified hemicellulose is partially hydrolyzed to a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose.

[0440] Embodiment 240 is the food additive of Embodiment 239 where the amount of xylan can be in the range of 20 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharides can be in the range of 5 to 60%, and the amount of xylose can be in the range of 1 to 40%.

[0441] Embodiment 241 is the food additive of Embodiment 239 or 240, wherein the purified hemicellulose further contains other sugar polymers, such as glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, glucomannan, and xyloglucan, and sugars obtained therefrom.

[0442] Embodiment 242 is the food additive of Embodiment 239, which contains about 87% xylan, about 9% xylo-oligosaccharide, and about 4% xylose.

[0443] Embodiment 243 is the food additive of any one of Embodiments 238 - 241, wherein the purified hemicellulose is a source of soluble fiber.

[0444] Embodiment 244 is the food additive of any one of Embodiments 238 - 241, wherein the purified hemicellulose is a source of prebiotics.

[0445] Embodiment 245 is the use of the food additive according to any one of Embodiments 238 - 244 in food or beverages.

[0446] Embodiment 246 is the use of the food additive according to any one of Embodiments 238 - 244 in pharmaceuticals or supplements.

[0447] Embodiment 247 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 216 - 224, wherein xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan are sources of soluble fiber.

[0448] Embodiment 248 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 216 - 224, wherein xylose, xylo-oligosaccharide, and xylan are sources of prebiotics.

[0449] Embodiment 249 is a purified hemicellulose composition containing about 85% - about 95% xylan by dry weight, about 5% - about 25% xylo-oligosaccharide by dry weight, and about 0% - about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0450] Embodiment 250 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 85% to about 93% by dry weight.

[0451] Embodiment 251 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 85% to about 91% by dry weight.

[0452] Embodiment 252 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 85% to about 89% by dry weight.

[0453] Embodiment 253 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 85% to about 87% by dry weight.

[0454] Embodiment 254 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 87% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0455] Embodiment 255 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 89% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0456] Embodiment 256 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 91% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0457] Embodiment 257 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 93% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0458] Embodiment 258 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 87% to about 93% by dry weight.

[0459] Embodiment 259 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 86% to about 88% by dry weight.

[0460] Embodiment 260 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 88% to about 92% by dry weight.

[0461] Embodiment 261 is the purified hemicellulose composition of Embodiment 249, containing xylan at about 90% to about 95% by dry weight.

[0462] Embodiment 262 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 5% to about 20% by dry weight.

[0463] Embodiment 263 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 5% to about 15% by dry weight.

[0464] Embodiment 264 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 5% to about 10% by dry weight.

[0465] Embodiment 265 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 5% to about 8% by dry weight.

[0466] Embodiment 266 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 10% to about 25% by dry weight.

[0467] Embodiment 267 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 15% to about 25% by dry weight.

[0468] Embodiment 268 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharides at about 20% to about 25% by dry weight.

[0469] Embodiment 269 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharide in an amount of about 10% to about 20% by dry weight.

[0470] Embodiment 270 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharide in an amount of about 6% to about 12% by dry weight.

[0471] Embodiment 271 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 261, containing xylooligosaccharide in an amount of about 8% to about 10% by dry weight.

[0472] Embodiment 272 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0% to about 4% by dry weight.

[0473] Embodiment 273 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0% to about 2% by dry weight.

[0474] Embodiment 274 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0% to about 1% by dry weight.

[0475] Embodiment 275 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0% to about 0.5% by dry weight.

[0476] Embodiment 276 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0% to about 0.1% by dry weight.

[0477] Embodiment 277 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing xylose in an amount of about 0.1% to about 5% by dry weight.

[0478] Embodiment 278 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.5% to about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0479] Embodiment 279 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 1% to about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0480] Embodiment 280 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 2% to about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0481] Embodiment 281 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 4% to about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0482] Embodiment 282 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.1% to about 5% xylose by dry weight.

[0483] Embodiment 283 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.1% to about 4% xylose by dry weight.

[0484] Embodiment 284 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.1% to about 2% xylose by dry weight.

[0485] Embodiment 285 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.1% to about 1% xylose by dry weight.

[0486] Embodiment 286 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.1% to about 0.5% xylose by dry weight.

[0487] Embodiment 287 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.5% to about 4% xylose by dry weight.

[0488] Embodiment 288 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.5% to about 2% xylose by dry weight.

[0489] Embodiment 289 is a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 271, containing from about 0.5% to about 1% xylose by dry weight.

[0490] Embodiment 290 is a sweetener composition containing a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289.

[0491] Embodiment 291 is a pharmaceutical composition containing a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289.

[0492] Embodiment 292 is a dietary supplement containing a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289.

[0493] Embodiment 293 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289 in a food product.

[0494] Embodiment 294 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289 in a sweetener composition.

[0495] Embodiment 295 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289 in a pharmaceutical composition.

[0496] Embodiment 296 is the use of a purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Embodiments 249 to 289 in a dietary supplement.

[0497] [Examples] [Example 1] A lignocellulosic composition containing partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose combined with dextrose was prepared. The composition contains dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan in the proportions shown in Table 1.

[0498] In Table 1, the chemical composition of the sweetener "lignocellulosic syrup" derived from lignocellulosic biomass is contrasted with that of a standard corn syrup sweetener. The lignocellulosic syrup was prepared from a partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose composition and glucose derived from cellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose were obtained from the same lignocellulosic biomass source. The lignocellulosic syrup composition contains 50.4% dextrose, 43.3% xylan, 4.2% xylooligosaccharides, and 2.1% xylose, while the corn syrup contains maltose and maltotriose but does not contain xylose or xylooligosaccharides. Further, compared with xylan, a C5 polysaccharide found in lignocellulosic syrup, the higher sugars found in corn syrup are C6 polysaccharides with a degree of polymerization of 2::4.

[0499]

Table 1

[0500] [Example 2] In Table 2, the chemical and physical properties of a lignocellulosic syrup containing 50.4% dextrose are contrasted with those of DE53 corn syrup. As shown in Table 2, the lignocellulosic syrup composition described in Table 1 has a viscosity (cP) of 2800 at 120°F, which is comparable to the viscosity of 1800 observed for corn syrup. The viscosity of the composition was measured using the standard procedure ASTM Method D7042.

[0501]

Table 2

[0502] The viscosities of the two sweeteners are similar, but the lignocellulose-based syrup has significantly lower calories than corn syrup. The lignocellulose-based syrup also has more soluble fiber and a lower glycemic index. The lignocellulose-based syrup is also a source of prebiotics, while corn syrup is not.

[0503] Using a lower-calorie sweetener that provides the same degree of sweetness and viscosity can reduce the calorie count of the food in which it is incorporated. This feature is highly advantageous in the manufacture of foods and beverages used in reduced-calorie diets, which are convenient when attempting to lose weight or prevent weight gain.

[0504] [Example 3] Furthermore, it was found that glucose produced from lignocellulose has less overall carbon emissions than glucose produced from starch. Specifically, the emissions from the production of dextrose from corn stover and corn grain-based dextrose were quantified and are shown in Table 3. As shown in Table 3, for dextrose from corn stover, the emission intensity was lower than that of grain-based dextrose. The GHG emission reduction was quantified as 0.61 metric tons of CO2-e per metric ton of dextrose.

[0505] [Table 3]

[0506] The emission reduction per metric ton of hemicellulose and lignin was calculated and compared with the emissions from the production of sugarcane molasses. The results are shown in Table 4. As can be seen, hemicellulose and lignin result in an emission intensity similar to that of sugarcane molasses. The emission intensities for hemicellulose and lignin were quantified as 0.17 and 0.04 metric tons of CO2-e per metric ton of material, which are higher than that of sugarcane molasses.

[0507] [Table 4]

[0508] The discharge intensity is calculated based on a combination of elements including the expected one-time preparation and removal discharges, as well as the ongoing upstream, in-site, and downstream discharges.

[0509] [Example 4] The straw was treated with steam at a given temperature and time (activation step, see, for example, US Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1)) to make the crude / unrefined hemicellulose water-soluble.

[0510] The material was extracted with water, and the liquid unrefined hemicellulose was removed by vacuum filtration.

[0511] Next, the unpurified hemicellulose was treated under alkaline peroxide conditions and at elevated temperatures. The pH was about 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., about 10.5). A peroxide loading of 5 to 40% (e.g., 10 to 20%) (w / w) based on the dry AX content was used. The temperature was between 60 °C and 80 °C (e.g., about 60 °C) over a period of about 2 hours to about 4 hours (e.g., about 2 hours). Generally, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Usually, temperatures above 100 °C are not used as they generally involve more complex and costly pressurized systems. Using this treatment, lignin and polyphenols and other coloring compounds associated with degradation products were removed from the AX molecules. Since the molecular weight of the AX decreases during this step, the reaction may be optimized according to the given color removal and molecular weight. The molecular weight can affect physical properties (e.g., viscosity, water / oil binding) as well as prebiotic properties (e.g., certain gut bacteria digest AX of certain molecular weights differently). The molecular weight and the degree of color removal (e.g., the degree of polyphenols remaining on the AX molecules) can affect downstream purification, and membrane separation is the preferred method, but when the molecular weight of the AX is similar to that of the coloring compounds to be removed, other methods, such as carbon or ion exchange (IX) (e.g., adsorption separation methods), can be used. When using carbon or IX, the polyphenols still attached to the AX can adsorb to the carbon and IX, thereby reducing the AX recovery (yield).

[0512] The hemicellulose treated with alkaline peroxide was then purified as follows to remove impurities from the AX (the order of these steps may vary). a. Activated carbon - can remove coloring compounds, degradation products, and proteins b. IX - can remove coloring, degradation products, salts c. Nanofiltration and / or reverse osmosis - can remove low molecular weight impurities and water (e.g., to concentrate the product before evaporation to syrup or before drying).

[0513] The final product was AX with little or no polyphenols or coloring and a purity exceeding 95%. This may be evaporated to a concentrated syrup or dried to a powder. Some properties of the prepared AX are shown in Table 5.

[0514] [Table 5]

[0515] [Example 6] An improved process was developed to produce a sweetener syrup from agricultural by-products such as corn cobs and wheat straw. The syrup has similar properties to conventional corn syrup but with reduced calories and increased fiber content. The performance of DE63 syrup was evaluated in end-use applications against standard commercially available raw materials.

[0516] DE63 corn syrup is commonly used in baking and confectionery applications to provide sweetness, texture, and binding. The performance of Comet DE63 syrup was evaluated against commercially available DE63 corn syrup in pie fillings, taffy chews, soft cookies, and cereal bar applications.

[0517] Results: 1. Comet DE63 syrup showed good functionality in pie fillings, taffy chews, and cereal bar applications. 2. In Comet syrup, the spread was significantly smaller in soft chocolate chip cookies. 3. A moderate (10%) calorie reduction was observed in Comet pie fillings (89 g per serving) and cereal bars, but not in chews (40 g per serving) or cookies (30 g per serving). 4. A moderate sugar reduction was also observed in Comet pie fillings and taffy chews. 5. An increase in fiber (1 - 3 g per serving) was observed in all Comet applications tested. Using Comet Syrup and solids in place of all conventional corn syrups and sugars used in applications such as taffy chew and serial bars has the potential to result in greater calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar reduction with an increase in fiber.

[0518] Materials and Methods: Cherry Pie Filling. The recipe for cherry pie filling is shown in Table 6.

[0519] [Table 6]

[0520] Procedure for Cherry Pie Filling: 1. Thoroughly mix 30% of the starch and water. Set aside. 2. Mix the sugar, corn syrup, salt, citric acid, 20% of the cherries, and the remaining 70% of the water. Bring to a gentle boil. 3. Add the starch slurry. Continue heating with stirring until 190°F. 4. Add the remaining cherries and the red food coloring. Stir until the cherries and coloring are well incorporated.

[0521] Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies. The recipe for soft chocolate chip cookies is shown in Table 7.

[0522] [Table 7]

[0523] Procedure: 1. Cream the shortening and sugar in a KitchenAid mixer at speed 1 for 30 seconds and then at speed 4 for 1 minute. Add the eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, and water and then mix again at speed 1 for 30 seconds and at speed 4 for 1 minute. 2. Put in wheat flour, baking soda, and salt and stir. While scraping the bowl as necessary, mix at a slow speed until dough is formed. 3. Put in chocolate chips and stir at low speed for 15 seconds or until evenly dispersed throughout the dough. 4. Drop rounded dough, 25 - 27 g each, onto pans lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 11 minutes. After cooling for 1 - 2 minutes, remove from the pans and then place on a wire rack to cool completely.

[0524] Chew. The recipe for taffy chew is shown in Table 8.

[0525]

Table 8

[0526] Procedure 1. In a saucepan, mix water, sugar, syrup, coconut oil, and lecithin. 2. Heat to 252°F while stirring constantly. 3. Transfer the mixture to a heated (150°F) KitchenAid mixer bowl. 4. Add sweetened condensed milk and mix at speed 4 for 2 minutes. 5. Add flavorings and coloring. Mix at speed 4 for 13 minutes. 6. Pour the mixture onto a cold marble slab to cool. 7. Cut into pieces and wrap.

[0527] Serial bar. The recipes for serial bars are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

[0528]

Table 9

[0529]

Table 10

[0530] Procedure 1. Weigh the chocolate chips in a small cup and place them in the freezer. 2. Weigh the rolled oats and rice crispies and place them in a bowl. Set aside. 3. Weigh the sugar and syrup and place them in a small saucepan. 4. Boil the syrup over medium to high heat to reach the target solids content (due to weight loss). 5. Add salt, oil, lecithin, and vanilla to the boiled syrup and stir well. 6. Weigh the syrup and add it to the oatmeal and rice mixture. Mix well. 7. Add the frozen chocolate chips and mix. 8. Press into a shallow, flat, oiled container. Cool the bar, cut it, and wrap it.

[0531] Nutritional Information The nutritional information panel was created using Genesis software and the raw material database. The Comet DE63 nutritional profile was adjusted to 60% solids and used in the analysis.

[0532] Results Strawberry Pie Filling In this study, for strawberry pie filling applications, Comet DE63 syrup was evaluated on a syrup solids basis equal to that of a commercially available DE63 corn syrup control. The control syrup had 82.5% solids, while the Comet DE63 syrup sample had 60% solids, so some water was added to the control formulation to equalize the solids. The appearance and texture of the Comet DE63 filling were good and comparable to the control during filling preparation and in the applied example of the baked finished pie (Figures 2 and 3).

[0533] The nutritional information is calculated for 1 / 3 cup (89 g) per serving of each filling. Analysis has shown that Comet pie filling has 10% fewer calories (100 vs 110), slightly less sugar (21 g vs 24 g), and an additional 3 g of fiber per serving (Figure 4).

[0534] Fruit-on-the-bottom Yogurt To estimate what a simple strawberry fruit-on-the-bottom with either sugar or Comet DE63 syrup might look like, a paper exercise was conducted. First, using Genesis nutritional analysis software, a yogurt formulation was created that was comparable in serving size and nutritional profile to Dannon Strawberry Fruit-On-The-Bottom yogurt (Table 11).

[0535] Next, assuming that Comet DE63 has a sweetness of about 70% of sugar, similar to conventional DE63 corn syrup, Comet DE63 syrup (78% dry solids) was used at an equivalent sweetness level in place of sugar and water.

[0536]

Table 11

[0537] Substituting Comet resulted in an 8% reduction in calories per serving (120 vs 130 kcal), an 18% reduction in sugar (18 g vs 22 g), and an increase in fiber to 5 g. Total carbohydrates increased slightly from 25 g to 26 g per serving. A nutritional information panel is shown in Figure 5 for comparison.

[0538] Soft Chocolate Chip Cookie When corn syrup is used in cookie formulations, a soft and chewy texture is obtained. In this study, Comet syrup was compared to DE63 corn syrup at equal solids and moisture contents. No differences were noted in the appearance and handling of the raw dough.

[0539] In the baked cookies, in the Comet syrup, the spread was smaller than that of the control syrup. The average diameter of the Comet cookies (n = 11) was 2.2 inches compared to 2.6 inches for the control cookies (Table 12), and this difference was visually apparent (Figures 6 and 7). The Comet cookies had a more puffed appearance and a cake-like texture. The decrease in spread observed in the Comet cookies may possibly be due to the fibers in the Comet syrup. It is possible to change the formulation to improve the spread of the Comet cookies. There was no difference in browning or baking time between the treatments.

[0540]

Table 12

[0541] Nutritional component labels were calculated for both cookie formulations (Figure 8). There was no difference in the calorie or sugar content of the cookies, but the Comet cookies contained 2 g of fiber compared to 1 g in the control.

[0542] Taffy chew For chewing gum applications, DE63 corn syrup is used for sweetness, texture, and to prevent sweetness. In this study, in the DE63 and DE42 blends, a chewy candy prototype was made using Comet syrup at equal solids instead of DE63 corn syrup. The Comet syrup blend functioned well in this application and was comparable to the DE63 corn syrup control in terms of appearance and texture (Figure 9).

[0543] There was no difference in calories per 40 g serving, but the Comet chew had slightly less sugar content (27 g vs. 28 g) and had 2 g of fiber compared to zero in the control (Figure 10).

[0544] Since the appropriate amounts of sugar and calories in this taffy chew formulation are those of conventional DE42 corn syrup, a paper exercise was conducted to evaluate the impact of substitution with Comet DE42 syrup in this candy chew formulation. In this exercise, it was shown that potential reductions in calories (130 vs 160), total carbohydrates (32 vs 34), and sugar (26 vs 28) are achievable using a combination of both Comet DE63 and Comet DE42 syrups (Figure 10).

[0545] Serial bar In serial bars, granola bars, protein bars, etc., corn syrup is typically used for sweetness, binding, and texture. Depending on the specific bar formulation and desired characteristics, both DE63 syrup, DE42 syrup, and combinations of both are used. In this study, Comet DE63 syrup was evaluated for serial bar applications at equal solids based on conventional DE63 corn syrup.

[0546] Comet DE63 syrup had less solids than the commercial control, so it was cooked longer to drive off more moisture and reached an equivalent solids content (87%) to the control's binding syrup. Comet binding syrup appeared milky white, had a sweet taste, and bound the bar particles perfectly. The initial performance of Comet DE63 syrup in this application appears to be comparable to the control (Figure 11).

[0547] Comparison of the nutrition facts panels shows that bars made with Comet DE63 are lower in calories (150 vs 160) and higher in fiber (4g vs 2g). No differences were observed in total carbohydrates and sugar (Figure 12).

[0548] [Example 7] The straw is treated with steam at a pressure of about 10 psi to about 20 psi (e.g., about 15 psi) and a temperature of about 110 °C to about 150 °C (e.g., about 130 °C) for about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes (e.g., about 15 minutes) in the preliminary activation step. The ratio of steam to straw is about 0.1 to about 1.0 (e.g., about 0.1 to about 0.8, about 0.1 to about 0.5, about 0.1 to about 0.3, about 0.3 to about 1, about 0.5 to about 1, about 0.8 to about 1, about 0.3 to about 0.5, about 0.3 to about 0.8, or about 0.5 to about 0.8). Then, the straw is treated with steam at a pressure of about 300 psi to about 350 psi (e.g., about 305 to about 335 psi) and a temperature of about 200 °C to about 240 °C (e.g., about 222 °C) for about 5 minutes to about 20 minutes (e.g., about 10 minutes). The ratio of steam to straw is about 0.1 to about 2.0 (e.g., about 0.1 to about 1.5, about 0.1 to about 1.0, about 0.1 to about 0.5, about 0.5 to about 2.0, about 1.0 to about 2.0, about 1.5 to about 2.0, about 0.5 to about 1.5, about 0.5 to about 1.0, or about 1.0 to about 1.5).

[0549] The material is extracted with water at a temperature of about 25 °C to about 95 °C (e.g., about 25 °C to about 75 °C, about 25 °C to about 50 °C, about 50 °C to about 95 °C, about 75 °C to about 95 °C, about 25 °C to about 50 °C, or about 25 °C to about 75 °C), and the liquid unpurified hemicellulose is removed by vacuum filtration.

[0550] [Example 8] The unpurified hemicellulose (e.g., the unpurified hemicellulose of Example 7) is treated under alkaline peroxide conditions and at an elevated temperature (also called decolorization). The pH is about 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., about 10.5). A peroxide loading of 5 to 40% (e.g., 10 to 20%) (w / w) based on the dry AX content is used. In some cases, the temperature is between 60 °C and 80 °C (e.g., about 60 °C) over a period of about 2 hours to about 4 hours (e.g., about 2 hours). Generally, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Usually, temperatures above 100 °C are not used to remove lignin and polyphenols and other colored compounds related to degradation products from the AX molecules because they generally involve more complex and costly pressurized systems.

[0551] The hemicellulose treated with an alkali peroxide is then purified as follows to remove impurities from the AX (the order of these steps may vary). a. It is possible to remove activated carbon - colored compounds, decomposition products, and proteins b. It is possible to remove IX - coloring, decomposition products, and salts c. It is possible to remove low - molecular - weight impurities and water by nanofiltration and / or reverse osmosis - (for example, to concentrate the product before evaporation to make syrup or before drying)

[0552] In some cases, steps a - c are carried out in the order of a, b, c. In some cases, IX includes two - stage ion exchange. The final product is AX with little or no polyphenol or coloring and a purity exceeding 95%. This may be evaporated to make a concentrated syrup or dried to make a powder. Some properties of the prepared AX are shown in Table 13.

[0553]

Table 13

[0554] [Example 9] A crude hemicellulose preparation is obtained from a commercial supplier. The crude hemicellulose preparation (which may have polyphenols bound, a larger molecular weight, for example, greater than about 20 kDa (for example, about 30 - about 300 kDa) and may have an alkaline pH (for example, about 9 - about 14)) is treated under alkaline conditions in the presence or absence of an oxidizing agent, an additive that can improve the performance of the oxidizing agent, and an elevated temperature. In some cases, the temperature is between 60 °C and 200 °C (for example, about 90 °C) over a period of 30 minutes to 8 hours (for example, about 2 - 4 hours). Generally, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Usually, temperatures above 100 °C are not used because they generally involve a more complex and costly pressurized system. The resulting hemicellulose has a molecular weight (M w ) of about 1500 - about 4000 Da.

[0555] [Example 10] The hemicellulose produced in Example 9 is combined with hemicellulose that has been decolorized but not otherwise purified (for example, the decolorized hemicellulose of Example 8). The combined hemicellulose is purified by ion exchange and by reverse osmosis using nanofiltration, as in Example 8, for example.

[0556] [Example 11] The hemicellulose produced in Example 9 is decolorized, treated with activated carbon, purified by ion exchange, and purified by reverse osmosis using nanofiltration, as described in Example 8.

[0557] Other Embodiments One or more inventions may exist in any combination or sub - combination of elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document, including the claims.

[0558] The above description includes references to certain specific detailed embodiments, but various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any examples provided in this specification are included solely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting in any way. The scope of the claims appended to this specification should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the above description, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the specification as a whole. All prior art disclosures cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. (Supplementary Note) (Supplementary Note 1) Glucose at about 5% to about 95% by dry weight, and Purified hemicellulose at about 5% to about 95% by dry weight A sweetener composition comprising. (Supplementary Note 2) The sweetener composition according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the purified hemicellulose comprises xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan. (Supplementary Note 3) The sweetener composition according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, comprising glucose at about 40% to about 60% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 4) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3, comprising purified hemicellulose at about 40% to about 60% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 5) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the purified hemicellulose comprises xylan at about 80% to about 95% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 6) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5, wherein the xylan comprises arabinoxylan at about 90% to about 99% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 7) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, wherein the purified hemicellulose comprises xylooligosaccharide at about 5% to about 15% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 8) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the purified hemicellulose comprises xylose at about 0.1% to about 10% by dry weight. (Supplementary Note 9) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, having a DE of about 35 to about 75. (Supplementary Note 10) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, having a DE of 42, 53, or 63. (Supplementary Note 11) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 10, having a glycemic index of about 35 to about 50. (Supplementary Note 12) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, providing about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. (Supplementary Note 13) The sweetener composition according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein the glucose is provided at least in part in the form of dextrose. (Supplementary Note 14) The sweetener composition according to Supplementary Note 1, having a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120 °C. (Supplementary Note 15) Dextrose at about 48% to about 53% by dry weight, Xylan at about 41% to about 45% by dry weight, Xylooligosaccharide at about 4% to about 5% by dry weight, and Xylose at about 2% to about 2.5% by dry weight A sweetener composition comprising. (Supplementary Note 16) Xylan at about 82% to about 92% by dry weight, Xylooligosaccharide at about 8% to about 9% by dry weight, and Xylose at about 4% to about 5% by dry weight Purified hemicellulose composition containing (Appendix 17) Xylan at about 87% to about 88% by dry weight, Xylooligosaccharides at about 8% to about 9% by dry weight, and Xylose at about 4% to about 5% by dry weight Purified hemicellulose composition containing (Appendix 18) The purified hemicellulose composition according to Appendix 16 or 17, having a molecular weight (M w) of less than 4000 Da. (Appendix 19) The purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Appendices 16 to 18, wherein the xylan contains about 90% to about 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight. (Appendix 20) A sweetener composition containing the purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of Appendices 16 to 19. (Appendix 21) A method for preparing purified hemicellulose, comprising: Preparing a lignocellulosic biomass; Combining the lignocellulosic biomass with water; Activating the lignocellulosic biomass and water under conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure to form a first activated cellulose stream; Washing the first activated cellulose stream to form a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract, wherein the first soluble extract contains hemicellulose; and Purifying the first soluble extract to form purified hemicellulose Method including. (Appendix 22) The method according to Appendix 21, wherein the purification includes one or more of decolorization, treatment with carbon, ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or a combination thereof. (Appendix 23) The method according to Appendix 21 or 22, wherein the decolorization includes an alkaline peroxide treatment. (Appendix 24) The method according to any one of Appendices 21 to 23, wherein, to form purified hemicellulose, the purification includes sequentially decolorization, treatment with carbon, ion exchange (IX), and reverse osmosis. (Appendix 25) The method according to any one of Appendices 21 to 24, further including adding degraded hemicellulose to the decolorized hemicellulose. (Appendix 26) The method according to any one of Appendices 21 to 25, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass includes wheat straw, wheat flour, bran, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, or a combination thereof. (Appendix 27) A method for preparing a sweetener composition, comprising: Preparing glucose; Preparing purified hemicellulose; and The step of combining glucose and purified hemicellulose to form a sweetener composition A method comprising the same. (Appendix 28) The method according to Appendix 27, wherein the hemicellulose is prepared by the method according to any one of Appendices 21 to 26. (Appendix 29) The method according to Appendix 27 or Appendix 28, wherein the purified hemicellulose is the purified hemicellulose according to any one of Appendices 16 to 19. (Appendix 30) The method according to any one of Appendices 27 to 29, wherein about 1 to 20 parts of glucose by dry weight is combined with about 1 part of purified hemicellulose by dry weight.

Claims

1. Xylan at 82% to 88% by dry weight, xylooligosaccharide at 8% to 9% by dry weight, and xylose at 4% to 5% by dry weight A purified hemicellulose composition containing the same.

2. Xylan at 87% to 88% by dry weight, xylooligosaccharide at 8% to 9% by dry weight, and xylose at 4% to 5% by dry weight A purified hemicellulose composition containing the same.

3. The purified hemicellulose composition according to claim 1 or 2, having a molecular weight (M w ) of less than 4000 Da.

4. The purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the xylan contains 90% to 99% of arabinoxylan by dry weight.

5. A sweetener composition containing the purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A method for preparing a purified hemicellulose, comprising: preparing a lignocellulosic biomass; combining the lignocellulosic biomass with water; activating the lignocellulosic biomass and water using conditions including a temperature and pressure of 210 °C to 250 °C to form an activated cellulose stream; washing the activated cellulose stream to form a washed activated cellulose stream and a soluble extract, the soluble extract containing hemicellulose; and purifying the soluble extract to obtain the purified hemicellulose composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 A method comprising the above steps.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the purification comprises one or more of decolorization, treatment with carbon, performing ion exchange (IX), performing reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or a combination thereof. **Claim 8** The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the decolorization comprises an alkaline peroxide treatment. **Claim 9** The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the purification comprises sequentially decolorization, treatment with carbon, performing ion exchange (IX), and performing reverse osmosis to form a purified hemicellulose. **Claim 10** The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising the step of adding a degraded hemicellulose to the decolorized hemicellulose. **Claim 11** The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises wheat straw, wheat flour, bran, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, or a combination thereof.

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