Large glassy beads

Abstract

The present invention relates to a particulate composition in the form of a large spherical glassy bead having a cross-sectional diameter greater than 5 mm. The bead includes an encapsulating carrier composition essentially made of fibrous materials, which are both sugarless and non-cariogenic and an encapsulant, such as a flavour material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A particulate composition in the form of an extruded, glassy bead, comprising a fibrous carrier composition encapsulating an active ingredient, wherein the bead has a cross-section diameter comprised between 3 mm and 15 mm, and the carrier composition comprises from 2 to 90% by weight of a first water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide having an average molecular weight greater than 10,000 Dalton and an average degree of polymerisation greater than 60, and from 1 to 80% of a second water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide having an average molecular weight of less than 10,000 Dalton and an average degree of polymerisation of less than 60, said percentages being defined by weight relative to the total weight of the carrier composition. 
     
     
         2 . The particulate composition according to  claim 1 , in which the bead has a cross-section diameter comprised between 5 mm and 15 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The particulate composition according to  claim 1 , in which the carrier composition is sugarless and/or non-cariogenic. 
     
     
         4 . A particulate composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient is selected from a flavour, a fragrance, a vitamin, a drug, a colorant, a nutraceutical, a whitening agent, an antibacterial agent, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A particulate composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient consists of a flavour ingredient or composition. 
     
     
         6 . A particulate composition according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises from 0.01 to 15% by weight of active ingredient relative to the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . A particulate composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the first water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide is selected from konjac mannan, xanthan, gum Arabic, guar gum, pectin, locust bean gum, soluble soybean polysaccharide and beta-glucan and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A particulate composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the second water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide is a dextrin. 
     
     
         9 . A foodstuff or beverage comprising, as part of an edible composition, a particulate composition according to  claim 3 . 
     
     
         10 . A foodstuff according to  claim 9 , in the form of a baked product, a hard candy, a gummy candy, a chewy sweet, a chewing gum, a cereal bar, a soup, noodles or a savoury snack. 
     
     
         11 . A foodstuff according to  claim 9  in the form of a spherical hard candy. 
     
     
         12 . A method for the preparation of a particulate composition as defined in  claim 1 , comprising the steps of
 a) combining and blending an ingredient to be encapsulated with a carrier composition comprising from 1 to 70% by weight of a first water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide having an average molecular weight higher than 10,000 Da and an average degree of polymerisation higher than 60, and from 30 to 99% of a second water-soluble fibrous polysaccharide having an average molecular weight below 10,000 Da and an average degree of polymerisation below 60, percentages being given by weight relative to the total weight of the carrier composition;   b) heating said blend within a screw extruder to a temperature within the range of from 80° C. to 120° C. to form a molten mass;   c) extruding the molten mass through a die having a die hole diameter comprised between 4 and 12 mm; and   d) cutting the material obtained as it exits the die.