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 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: 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: Pectinases, such as Pectinex™ Ultra SP-L (composed of the enzyme Polygatacturonase, a type of pectinase which is derived from Aspergillus aculeatus) or pectinmethylesterases were used to decrease or increase, respectively, the viscosity of fiber solutions, especially solutions with highly refined cellulosic thickeners, and particularly those made of highly refined cellulosic parenchyma cell wall fiber solutions. The enzyme can reduce the viscosity up to 95% or increase the viscosity 100 fold. At lower concentrations the enzyme requires up to a few days of reacting to reach the full reduction in viscosity. Pectinex™ Ultra SP-L has an optimum pH of 4.5-5 and a temperature optimum of 40° C. By controlling the viscosity available from the dried, treated highly refined cellulosic fiber compositions, tailored powder compositions can be provided that will provide precise viscosities when rehydrated in solutions at a constant concentration.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved method for refining cellulose that produces a highly refined cellulosic material. 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 is dried to produce the HRC fiber. The HRC fiber displays a water retention capacity of about 25 to at least about 56 g H2O/g dry HRC and retains moisture under conditions that are ordinarily used to remove moisture from materials. The highly refined fiber product can also provide excellent thickening properties and can be used in a wide variety of materials, including edible 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: Pectinases, such as Pectinex™ Ultra SP-L (composed of the enzyme Polygatacturonase, a type of pectinase which is derived from Aspergillus aculeatus) or pectinmethylesterases were used to decrease or increase, respectively, the viscosity of fiber solutions, especially solutions with highly refined cellulosic thickeners, and particularly those made of highly refined cellulosic parenchyma cell wall fiber solutions. The enzyme can reduce the viscosity up to 95% or increase the viscosity 100 fold. At lower concentrations the enzyme requires up to a few days of reacting to reach the full reduction in viscosity. Pectinex™ Ultra SP-L has an optimum pH of 4.5-5 and a temperature optimum of 40° C. By controlling the viscosity available from the dried, treated highly refined cellulosic fiber compositions, tailored powder compositions can be provided that will provide precise viscosities when rehydrated in solutions at a constant concentration.

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.