Easily dispersible dietary fiber product and method for producing the same

Claim 2

A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration .[.comprising.]. .Iadd.consisting essentially of .Iaddend.from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber .Iadd.having laxative properties and .Iaddend.subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the powder to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids.

Claim 3

The composition of claim 1 wherein the dietary fiber is selected from the group consisting of psyllium, dietary bran, wheat germ and mixtures thereof.

Claim 4

The composition of claim 2 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate hydrophylic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, malto dextran, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 5

The composition of claim 3 wherein the composition comprises from about 90 to 99.95% by weight dietary fiber, and from 0.05 to 10% by weight emulsifier.

Claim 6

The composition of claim 1 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate hydrophyllic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, malto dextran, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 7

The composition of claim 5 wherein the hydrophyllic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters are selected from the group consisting of sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, soriban monoleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide and mixtures therein.

Claim 8

The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises from about 90 to 99.95% by weight dietary fiber, and from 0.05 to 10% by weight emulsifier.

Claim 9

The composition of claim 1 wherein said dietary fiber is a mixture of psyllium, cellulose derivatives and cereal bran.

Claim 10

The composition of claim 8 wherein said mixture comprises from 30 to 99% by weight psyllium and from 1 to 70% by weight bran.

Claim 11

The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises from about 95 to 99.95% by weight dietary fiber and from about 0.05 to 5% by weight of the emulsifer.

Claim 12

The composition of claim 1 wherein the emulsifier is sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide.

Claim 13

A process for producing a modified dietary fiber which .[.comprises.]. .Iadd.consists essentially of .Iaddend.mixing a dietary fiber .Iadd.having laxative properties and .Iaddend.subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, with about 0.05 to 20% by weight of .[.an.]. .Iadd.a food grade .Iaddend.emulsifier and about 0.5 to 40% of a non-toxic solvent; and removing the solvent to form a dry, free-flowing product.

Claim 14

A process for producing a modified dietary fiber which .[.comprises.]. .Iadd.consists essentially of .Iaddend.mixing a dietary fiber .Iadd.having laxative properties and .Iaddend.subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, with about 0.05 to 20% by weight of .[.an.]. .Iadd.a food grade .Iaddend.emulsifier and about 0.5 to 40% of a non-toxic solvent; and removing the solvent to form a dry, free-flowing product.

Claim 15

The process of claim 12 wherein the dietary fiber is selected from the group consisting of psyllium, dietary bran, wheat germ, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 16

The process of claim 12 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophylic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, malto dextran, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 17

The process of claim 12 wherein the dietary fiber is a mixture of psyllium, cellulose derivatives and cereal bran.

Claim 18

The process of claim 15 wherein said mixture comprises from 99 to 30% by weight psyllium and 1 to 70% by weight bran.

Claim 19

The process of claim 14 wherein the hydrophyllic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters are selected from the group consisting of sorbitan monoleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide and mixtures thereof.

Claim 20

The process of claim 12 wherein the emulsifier is sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide.

Claim 21

The process of claim 12 wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount of from 0.05 to 10% by weight.

Claim 22

The process of claim 12 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, water, mixtures of ethyl alcohol and ethyl acetate and mixtures thereof.

Claim 23

A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration .[.comprising.]. .Iadd.consisting essentially of .Iaddend.from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium .Iadd.having laxative properties, .Iaddend.and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, wherein said mixture substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids. .Iadd.22. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein said sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of sorbitan monooleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein said sorbitan monooleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of lecithin, wherein said lecithin substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is lecithin, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when

Claim 24

A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration .[.comprising.]. .Iadd.consisting essentially of .Iaddend.from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium .Iadd.having laxative properties, .Iaddend.and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, wherein said mixture substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids. .Iadd.22. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein said sorbitan monostearate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of sorbitan monooleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein said sorbitan monooleate plus 20 moles of ethylene oxide substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.5% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of lecithin, wherein said lecithin substantially coats the psyllium to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is lecithin, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when

Claim 25

added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is lecithin, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group of consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend.

Claim 26

added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.29. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is lecithin, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of at least one dietary fiber having laxative properties and subject to agglomeration upon mixing with liquids and selected from the group consisting of psyllium, bran, cellulose derivatives and mixtures thereof, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group of consisting of a mixture of distilled propylene glycol monoglycerides, distilled monoglycerides and sodium stearyl lactylate, hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoesters, lecithin, monoglycerides, diglycerides, and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend.

Claim 27

.Iadd.34. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to

Claim 28

.Iadd.34. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier which is at least one hydrophilic ethoxylated sorbitan monoester, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.35. A coated dietary fiber which is readily dispersible in liquids without agglomeration consisting essentially of from about 80 to 99.95% by weight of psyllium having laxative properties, and from about 0.05 to 20% by weight of a food grade emulsifier selected from the group consisting of monoglycerides, diglycerides and mixtures thereof, wherein the emulsifier substantially coats the fiber to prevent agglomeration when added to

Claim 29

liquids..Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The coated dietary fiber according to anyone of claims 25-35, wherein the emulsifier is present from about 0.05 to 1.0% by weight..Iaddend.