Soya fiber particulates and methods of preparation

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the field of processing techniques used in the manufacturer of soyfoods. The invention relates to methods for preparing a soya fiber particulate from dehulled soybeans of a superior smooth texture, nutritional quality and flavor. The invention can be used to obtain a soya fiber particulate having a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 100 microns, wherein at least about 50% to about 100% of the soya fiber particulate has a size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 35 microns. The invention furthermore is concerned with the use in the manufacture of food products which include but are not limited to beverages, dry mixes, yogurts, sour cream, and cream cheese.

1 - 101 . (canceled)  
     
     
         102 . A process for preparing a soya fiber particulate, wherein said process comprises: 
 (a) wet grinding a dehulled soya to yield a soya fiber particulate having a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 100 microns, wherein at least about 50% to about 100% of the particles of said soya fiber particulate has a size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 35 microns, said soya fiber particulate having open portions therein such that water or a water based liquid is allowed into intracellular spaces of said soya fiber particulate;    (b) pasteurizing and/or sterilizing said soya fiber particulate; and    (c) homogenizing said soya fiber particulate to yield a soya fiber particulate.    
     
     
         103 . The process of  claim 102 , wherein said soya is selected from the group consisting of whole soybeans, full fat soy flour, full fat soy flakes, partially defatted soy flour, partially defatted soy flakes, defatted soy flour, defatted soy flakes, refatted soy flour, refatted soy flakes, soy protein concentrate and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         104 . The process of  claim 102 , wherein said pasteurizing and/or sterilizing comprises heating said soya fiber particulate to a temperature in a range of about 50° C. to about 175° C. for at least 4 seconds.  
     
     
         105 . The process of  claim 104 , wherein said pasteurizing and/or sterilizing comprises heating said soya fiber particulate to a temperature in a range of about 65° C. to about 155° C. for at least 4 seconds.  
     
     
         106 . The process of  claim 102 , wherein said wet grinding yields soya fiber particulate of a median particle size in a range of about 10 microns to about 20 microns.  
     
     
         107 . The process of  claim 102 , wherein said wet grinding yields soya fiber particulate wherein at least about 40% of the particles of said soya fiber particulate has a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 25 microns.  
     
     
         108 . The process of  claim 107 , wherein said wet grinding yields soya fiber particulate wherein at least about 30% of the particles of said soya fiber particulate has a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 15 microns.  
     
     
         109 . The process of  claim 108 , wherein said wet grinding yields soya fiber particulate wherein at least about 20% of the particles of said soya fiber particulate has a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 10 microns.  
     
     
         110 . The process of  claim 109 , wherein said wet grinding yields soya fiber particulate wherein at least about 10% of the particles of said soya fiber particulate has a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 5 microns.  
     
     
         111 . The process of  claim 102 , wherein said wet grinding is performed by a bead mill or a ball mill.  
     
     
         112 . The process of  claim 102 , further comprising dehydrating said soya fiber particulate.  
     
     
         113 . The process of  claim 112 , further comprising spray-drying said soya fiber particulate.  
     
     
         114 . A process for preparing a grain fiber particulate, wherein said process comprises: 
 (a) wet grinding grain seeds to yield a grain fiber particulate having a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 100 microns, wherein at least about 50% to about 100% of the particles of said grain fiber particulate has a size in a range of about 0.01 to about 35 microns, said grain fiber particulate having open portions therein such that water or a water based liquid is allowed into intracellular spaces of said grain fiber particulate;    (b) pasteurizing and/or sterilizing said grain fiber particulate; and    (c) homogenizing said grain fiber particulate to yield a grain fiber particulate.    
     
     
         115 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said grain is selected from the group consisting of flax, sunflower, rice, canola, corn, wheat, rapeseed, and lupin.  
     
     
         116 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said grain is selected from the group consisting of full fat grains, full fat grain flour, full fat grain flakes, partially defatted grain flour, partially defatted grain flakes, defafted grain flour, defafted grain flakes, refatted grain flour, refatted grain flakes, grain protein concentrate and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         117 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said wet grinding yields grain fiber particulate wherein at least about 50% to about 100% of the particles of said grain fiber particulate has a particle size in a range of about 0.01 microns to about 35 microns.  
     
     
         118 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said grain fiber particulate has a median particle size of about 10 microns to about 20 microns.  
     
     
         119 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said grain fiber particulate remains stable for at least 6 months.  
     
     
         120 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said grain fiber particulate has a sedimentation of less than about 5% by volume when centrifuged at a centrifugal force of at least 50 times the force due to the earth's gravity for 5 minutes.  
     
     
         121 . The process of  claim 114 , wherein said wet grinding is performed by a bead mill or a ball mill.