Thickening composition improved in viscosity development

Abstract

A thickening composition characterized by containing xanthan gum having per 100 parts by weight thereof, 0.5 part by weight or more of metal salt bound on the surface of xanthan gum powder. This thickening composition is capable of convenient viscosity development by addition to water-containing objects. Thus, the thickening composition is suitable for use in, for example, food application, for convenient thickening of soft drink, basting, sauce, dressing, soup, mousse, jelly, etc., or application for viscosity development by addition of a small amount thereof to meals for patients having difficulty in mastication/swallowing due to eating disorder, etc.

1 . Compositions for thickening, characterized in that they contain xanthan gum, with 0.5 parts by weight of a metal salt, per 100 parts by weight of xanthan gum, being bound to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum, with the proviso that said metal salt is not potassium chloride. 
     
     
         2 . The compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the process for binding is to spray a metal salt solution onto a xanthan gum and thereafter carry out fluidized drying. 
     
     
         3 . The compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the quantity of a metal salt is 0.5 parts by weight or more, to 10 parts by weight or less. 
     
     
         4 . The compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that, when 1 part by weight of a stated xanthan gum, whereto a metal salt has been bound is added to 99 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water at 20° C., it is dispersed and dissolved, without forming any lumps, and 2 minutes after addition it reaches at least 90% of its peak viscosity. 
     
     
         5 . Beverages or foodstuffs or beverage and foodstuff containing the compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . Beverages or foodstuffs or beverage and foodstuff as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the process for binding said metal salt to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is to spray a metal salt solution onto a xanthan gum and thereafter carry out fluidized drying. 
     
     
         7 . Beverages or foodstuffs or beverage and foodstuff as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that the quantity of a metal salt bound to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is 0.5 parts by weight or more, to 10 parts by weight or less. 
     
     
         8 . Beverages or foodstuffs or beverage and foodstuff as claimed in  claim 5 , characterized in that, when 1 part by weight of a stated xanthan gum, whereto a metal salt has been bound is added to 99 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water at 20° C., it is dispersed and dissolved, without forming any lumps, and 2 minutes after addition it reaches at least 90% of its peak viscosity. 
     
     
         9 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in mastication comprising administering to the patient a beverage or foodstuff or beverage and foodstuff containing the compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in mastication as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the process for binding said metal salt to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is to spray a metal salt solution onto a xanthan gum and thereafter carry out fluidized drying. 
     
     
         11 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in mastication as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the quantity of a metal salt bound to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is 0.5 parts by weight or more, to 10 parts by weight or less. 
     
     
         12 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in mastication as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that, when 1 part by weight of a stated xanthan gum, whereto a metal salt has been bound is added to 99 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water at 20° C., it is dispersed and dissolved, without forming any lumps, and 2 minutes after addition it reaches at least 90% of its peak viscosity. 
     
     
         13 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in swallowing comprising administering to the patient a beverage or foodstuff or beverage and foodstuff containing the compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in swallowing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the process for binding said metal salt to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is to spray a metal salt solution onto a xanthan gum and thereafter carry out fluidized drying. 
     
     
         15 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in swallowing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the quantity of a metal salt bound to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is 0.5 parts by weight or more, to 10 parts by weight or less. 
     
     
         16 . The method of treating a patient with difficulty in swallowing as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that, when 1 part by weight of a stated xanthan gum, whereto a metal salt has been bound is added to 99 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water at 20° C., it is dispersed and dissolved, without forming any lumps, and 2 minutes after addition it reaches at least 90% of its peak viscosity. 
     
     
         17 . The method of treating a patient who can benefit from a thickened beverage comprising administering to the patient a beverage or foodstuff or beverage and foodstuff containing the compositions for thickening as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The method of treating a patient who can benefit from a thickened beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the process for binding said metal salt to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is to spray a metal salt solution onto a xanthan gum and thereafter carry out fluidized drying. 
     
     
         19 . The method of treating a patient who can benefit from a thickened beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that the quantity of a metal salt bound to the surface of a powder of the said xanthan gum is 0.5 parts by weight or more, to 10 parts by weight or less. 
     
     
         20 . The method of treating a patient who can benefit from a thickened beverage as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the compositions for thickening is characterized in that, when 1 part by weight of a stated xanthan gum, whereto a metal salt has been bound is added to 99 parts by weight of ion-exchanged water at 20° C., it is dispersed and dissolved, without forming any lumps, and 2 minutes after addition it reaches at least 90% of its peak viscosity.