Dry citrus fibers and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to citrus fibers in dry form having a storage modulus (G′) of at least 50 Pa, said G′ being measured on an aqueous medium containing an amount of 2 wt % citrus fibers dispersed therein under a low-shear stirring of less than 10000 rpm.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . Cellulose fibers in dry form having a transverse relaxation factor (“R2*”), as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance (“NMR”), of at least 0.65 and comprising an additive distributed between said fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form are citrus fruit fibers in dry form. 
     
     
         18 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form have a moisture content of at most 12 wt. %. 
     
     
         19 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form have a moisture content of at most 10 wt. %. 
     
     
         20 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form have a moisture content of at most 8 wt. %. 
     
     
         21 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein said cellulose fibers in dry form are derived from at least one of oranges, sweet oranges, clementines, kumquats, tangerines, tangelos, satsumas, mandarins, grapefruits, citrons, pomelos, lemons, rough lemons, limes, and leech limes. 
     
     
         22 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein said cellulose fibers in dry form are derived from at least one of early-season, mid-season, and late-season citrus fruit. 
     
     
         23 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein said cellulose fibers in dry form are derived from at least one of citrus peel, citrus pulp, and citrus rag. 
     
     
         24 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein said cellulose fibers in dry form are not subjected to at least one of esterification, derivatization and enzymatic modification. 
     
     
         25 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form comprise at least 5 wt. % additive relative to the weight of the cellulose fibers in dry form. 
     
     
         26 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form comprise at least 10 wt. % additive relative to the weight of the cellulose fibers in dry form. 
     
     
         27 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form comprise at least 20 wt. % additive relative to the weight of the cellulose fibers in dry form. 
     
     
         28 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the cellulose fibers in dry form comprise at least 30 wt. % additive relative to the weight of the cellulose fibers in dry form. 
     
     
         29 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the additive to cellulose fibers in dry form ratio is between 0.01:1.0 and 10.0:1.0 by weight. 
     
     
         30 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the additive is one or more carbohydrates or polyols. 
     
     
         31 . The cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein the additive is at least one of glucose, sucrose, glycerol and sorbitol. 
     
     
         32 . A food composition comprising the cellulose fibers of  claim 16 , wherein said food composition is chosen from the group consisting of luxury drinks, milk component-containing drinks, nutrition-enriched drinks, dairy products, iced products, processed fat food products, soups, stews, seasonings, paste condiments, fillings, gels, paste-like food products, food products containing cereals as the main component, cakes, kneaded marine products, live-stock products, daily dishes, foods of delicate flavor, liquid diets, supplements and pet foods. 
     
     
         33 . An emulsified product comprising the cellulose fibers of  claim 16  and one or more proteins. 
     
     
         34 . The emulsified product of  claim 33 , wherein the emulsified product comprises one or more proteins in about 0.1 wt. % to about 10.0 wt. % of the emulsified product. 
     
     
         35 . A composition comprising the cellulose fibers of  claim 16  and one or more surfactants.