Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in consumable products (for humans and pets) comprising at least 0.005% by weight and preferably 1-30% by weight of highly refined cellulose fiber having at least 15% by total weight of the highly refined cellulose material of an oil-based flavoring or aroma-producing material, the composition of matter being provided as a free-flowing, dry-feel particulate material having a number average mean particle size of less than 2 mm.

Abstract: Methods enable formation of coarse refined cellulose fibers that improve the texture and coarseness of meat analogs to more closely represent ground beef. The refined cellulose fibers can also be efficiently converted into gels and vegan protein mass. The coarse fibers have average lengths of diameters of over 1000 microns as compared to typical high quality, highly refined, fine cellulose fibers of <700 microns or less than 600 microns. The refined cellulose fibers (coarse or fine) may be blended with alginate and edible vegan oil to form gels when triggered with acid conditions that crosslink the alginate into a stable vegan gel.

Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of highly refined cellulose fiber as a prebiotic composition alone or with a probiotic composition. The prebiotic composition may comprise both the prebiotic material blended with and stabilized by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The prebiotic components may be combined with at least 1% by weight of combined probiotic as highly refined cellulose in a blend with the probiotic. The mass may flow as a liquid, may be in a frozen state or may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.

Abstract: A reduced energy method produces highly refined cellulose particles from fruit or vegetable mass by providing an initial cellulose mass of particles containing moisture having number average particle diameter of between 0.25 and 1.9 cm and having a moisture content of less than 80% water for the cellulose mass, heating the cellulose mass to between 170 F to less than 212 F to swell and internally shear fiber structure to produce a highly refined cellulose fiber mass having a total dietary fiber (TDF) content greater than 15% as measured by AOAC 991.43 and a water holding capacity greater than three parts water per part fiber as measured by AACC 56-30.

Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in consumable products (for humans and pets) comprising at least 0.005% by weight and preferably 1-30% by weight of highly refined cellulose fiber having at least 15% by total weight of the highly refined cellulose material of an oil-based flavoring or aroma-producing material, the composition of matter being provided as a free-flowing, dry-feel particulate material having a number average mean particle size of less than 2 mm.

Abstract: A method forms a gel from a highly-refined cellulose by: providing a composition of highly refined cellulose fiber as at least about 0.5% weight/weight highly refined cellulose to water; adding at least one buffering agent to the composition to maintain the pH of the composition at a pH below 9.5; bringing the buffered composition to an elevated temperature such as a boil; stirring the buffered composition; and cooling the buffered composition to below 25° C. to form a gel, such as a stable gel.

Abstract: A reduced energy method produces highly refined cellulose particles from fruit or vegetable mass by providing an initial cellulose mass of particles containing moisture having number average particle diameter of between 0.25 and 1.9 cm and having a moisture content of less than 80% water for the cellulose mass, heating the cellulose mass to between 170 F to less than 212 F to swell and internally shear fiber structure to produce a highly refined cellulose fiber mass having a total dietary fiber (TDF) content greater than 15% as measured by AOAC 991.43 and a water holding capacity greater than three parts water per part fiber as measured by AACC 56-30.

Abstract: An improved method refines cellulose to produce a highly refined cellulosic material in combination with a hydrocolloid. The method comprises soaking raw material from primarily parenchymal cell wall structures in an aqueous solution which need not contain an agent to modify the fiber (e.g., a mild alkalizing or alkaline agent and/or solution) using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume. The mass of fiber is combined with a hydrocolloid and the combined mass is then sheared is dried to produce the Highly Refined Cellulose in an intimately associated or bound structure with the hydrocolloid. The highly refined fiber/hydrocolloid product can also provide excellent thickening properties to a degree unexpected from simple additive effects of the materials. The unique methodology in the combining of the ingredients surprisingly affects the final properties of the combined materials.

Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of egg composition having both yolk and albumin components whipped together and stabilized against separation by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The yolk and albumin components may be whipped into a foam in which at least 1% by volume of the foamed material comprises a gas, such as air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen. The mass may flow as a liquid at 20 C and 760 mm Hg atmospheric pressure and 40% relative humidity. The mass may be in a frozen state. The mass may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.

Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in consumable products (for humans and pets) comprising at least 0.005% by weight and preferably 1-30% by weight of highly refined cellulose fiber having at least 15% by total weight of the highly refined cellulose material of an oil-based flavoring or aroma-producing material, the composition of matter being provided as a free-flowing, dry-feel particulate material having a number average mean particle size of less than 2 mm.

Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of egg composition comprising both yolk and albumin components whipped together and stabilized against separation by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The yolk and albumin components may be whipped into a foam in which at least 1% by volume of the foamed material comprises a gas, such as air, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen. The mass may flow as a liquid at 20 C and 760 mm Hg atmospheric pressure and 40% relative humidity. The mass may be in a frozen state. The mass may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.

Abstract: The present technology may include a stabilized mass of highly refined cellulose fiber as a prebiotic composition alone or with a probiotic composition. The prebiotic composition may comprise both the prebiotic material blended with and stabilized by highly refined cellulose fiber material. The prebiotic components may be combined with at least 1% by weight of combined probiotic as highly refined cellulose in a blend with the probiotic. The mass may flow as a liquid, may be in a frozen state or may be in a dried powder state or dried solid mass.

Abstract: A method forms a gel from a highly-refined cellulose by: providing a composition of highly refined cellulose fiber as at least about 0.5% weight/weight highly refined cellulose to water; adding at least one buffering agent to the composition to maintain the pH of the composition at a pH below 9.5; bringing the buffered composition to an elevated temperature such as a boil; stifling the buffered composition; and cooling the buffered composition to below 25° C. to form a gel, such as a stable gel.

Abstract: An improved method refines cellulose to produce a highly refined cellulosic material in combination with a hydrocolloid. The method comprises soaking raw material from primarily parenchymal cell wall structures in an aqueous solution which need not contain an agent to modify the fiber (e.g., a mild alkalizing or alkaline agent and/or solution) using reduced temperatures and pressures, and refining the material with a plate refiner so that a waste water stream is reduced in volume. The mass of fiber is combined with a hydrocolloid and the combined mass is then sheared is dried to produce the Highly Refined Cellulose in an intimately associated or bound structure with the hydrocolloid. The highly refined fiber/hydrocolloid product can also provide excellent thickening properties to a degree unexpected from simple additive effects of the materials. The unique methodology in the combining of the ingredients surprisingly affects the final properties of the combined materials.

Abstract: A composition of matter is used as an ingredient in making dairy-containing products, especially cheeses, cheese spreads, cheese sauces, ice cream, ice milk, yogurt, sherbet, milk shakes, and the like. The product can replace shortenings and fats and oils, and can be used in these dairy products. A highly refined cellulosic materials (e.g., cellulose, modified celluloses, derivatized celluloses, hemicellulose, lignin, etc.) product can be prepared by generally moderate treatment and still provide properties that are equivalent to or improved upon the properties of the best highly refined cellulose products produced from more intense and environmentally unfriendly processes. Fruit or vegetable cells with an exclusively parenchymal cell wall structure can be treated with a generally mild process to form highly absorbent microfibers.

Abstract: A cooked or uncooked grain, vegetable or meat protein product comprising a) 0.05%-5% by total weight highly refined cellulose product defined by a fiber material that has a total dietary fiber (TDF) content greater than 30% as measured by AOAC 991.