Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of low-calorie polysaccharide derivatives, obtained by feeding a worm shaft reactor, operating at elevated temperature and under elevated pressure, with a mixture of at least a saccharide, a polyol and a food-grade polycarboxylic acid. The products obtained may be added as low-calorie bulking agent to (diet) foodstuffs like puddings, cake etc..

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for purifying crude products containing esters of a non-reducing sugar like sucrose, and one or more fatty acids such as palmitic acid, stearic acid etc. by subjecting the crude esterification products to an extraction treatment with supercritical carbon dioxide. After carrying out this extraction treatment a residue comprising the fatty acid esters of non-reducing sugars, the unreacted sugar and the salts as well as an extract comprising the fatty acids, fatty acid alkyl esters and also any solvents, if present, are obtained. The unreacted sugar and the salts, present in the obtained residue, can be removed from the residue by, for example, a washing operation resulting in a final product of pure esters of the non-reducing sugar and one or more fatty acids. This last removal step concerning the unreacted sugar and salts may also be carried out before the application of the above indicated extraction treatment with supercritical carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of esters of a non-reducing sugar like sucrose and one or more fatty acids by transesterification of a non-reducing sugar with one or more fatty acid esters in at first a worm shaft reactor operating at elevated temperature and pressure and then in a second reactor operating at reduced pressure and elevated temperature. Such esters of a non-reducing sugar and fatty acids, in particular the monoesters and diesters are valuable solid surfactants, which are non-toxic, odorless, tasteless, non-irritating to the skin and hydrolyze in the human and animal tract to normal good products.