New polydextrose material

Abstract

The present invention discloses a new type of water-soluble polydextrose. This new type of polydextrose contains at least 75% by weight of saccharide molecules having a degree of polymerisation (DP) of 5 or more and characterised in that the non-digestible fiber content is at least 80% by weight. Further, the present invention relates to a process for preparing this new type of polydextrose and to the use of this polydextrose in products such as food products, pharmaceutical products and personal care products.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A polydextrose comprising saccharide molecules, wherein at least 80% by weight of the saccharide molecules have a degree of polymerisation of 5 or more, and wherein less than 20% by weight of the saccharide molecules have a degree of polymerisation of from 1 to 4, and wherein the non-digestible fiber content of the polydextrose is at least 80% by weight. 
     
     
         21 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein at least 70% by weight of saccharide molecules have a degree of polymerisation of 10 or more. 
     
     
         22 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein the molecular weight dispersity of the polydextrose is below 2.0. 
     
     
         23 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein the molecular weight dispersity of the polydextrose is below 1.8. 
     
     
         24 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein the polydextrose has a volume mean diameter that is smaller than 60 μm. 
     
     
         25 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein the non-digestible fiber content of the polydextrose is at least 85% by weight. 
     
     
         26 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein the non-digestible fiber content of the polydextrose is at least 90% by weight. 
     
     
         27 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein less than 15% by weight of the saccharide molecules have a degree of polymerisation of from 1 to 4. 
     
     
         28 . The polydextrose according to  claim 20 , wherein less than 10% by weight of the saccharide molecules have a degree of polymerisation of from 1 to 4. 
     
     
         29 . A process for preparing a polydextrose comprising the following steps:
 a) providing a crude polydextrose,   b) adjusting the pH of the crude polydextrose to from 6 to 8 to yield a product, and   c) chromatographic separation of the product of step b) into at least two fractions, wherein one fraction comprises a first polydextrose comprising saccharide molecules, wherein the first polydextrose is enriched in saccharide molecules having a degree of polymerisation of from 1 to 4 compared to the product of step b); and a second fraction comprises a second polydextrose comprising saccharide molecules, wherein the second polydextrose is enriched in saccharide molecules having a degree of polymerisation of 5 or more compared to the product of step b).   
     
     
         30 . The process according to  claim 29 , wherein the crude polydextrose is provided by polycondensation of saccharides, and optionally sugar alcohols in the presence of acid. 
     
     
         31 . The process according to  claim 29 , wherein the chromatographic separation of step c) comprises chromatographic separation on a strongly acidic cation exchange resin. 
     
     
         32 . A food product comprising the polydextrose according to  claim 20  and further comprising food ingredients. 
     
     
         33 . The food product according to  claim 32 , wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of confectionery, bakery products, beverages, and dairy products. 
     
     
         34 . The food product according to  claim 32 , wherein the food product is an ice cream and the food ingredients are ice cream ingredients. 
     
     
         35 . The food product according to  claim 32 , wherein the food product is a chocolate and the food ingredients are chocolate ingredients. 
     
     
         36 . The food product according to  claim 32 , wherein the food product is a beverage and the food ingredients are beverage ingredients.