Abstract: A process for preparing saccharide oligomers uses an aqueous feed composition that comprises at least one monosaccharide or linear saccharide oligomer, and has a solids concentration of at least about 70% by weight. The feed composition is heated to a temperature of at least about 40° C., and is contacted with at least one catalyst that accelerates the rate of cleavage or formation of glucosyl bonds, such as enzyme or acid, for a time sufficient to cause formation of non-linear saccharide oligomers. A product composition is produced that contains a higher concentration of non-linear saccharide oligomers than linear saccharide oligomers.

Abstract: An edible composition comprises (1) a starch-derived soluble fiber composition that comprises oligosaccharides that are digestion resistant, oligosaccharides that are slowly digestible, or a combination thereof, and (2) at least one material selected from fructose, sorbitol, pullulan, a non-nutritive high-intensity sweetener, and combinations of any two or more thereof.

Abstract: An edible film comprises a major amount of pullulan and at least one sweetener in an amount of at least about 10% by weight on a dry solids basis. The sweetener can be, for example, a high intensity sweetener such as sucralose, aspartame, acesulfame K, brazzein, and combinations of two or more thereof. The edible film can be used in a sweetener dispenser that comprises a container and a plurality of film strips. The container has an inner compartment and an aperture that is adapted to be opened. The plurality of film strips are located in the inner compartment. Individual film strips can be removed from the container through the aperture.

Abstract: A food product comprises an oligosaccharide composition that is digestion resistant or slowly digestible. The oligosaccharide composition can be produced by a process that comprises producing an aqueous composition that comprises at least one oligosaccharide and at least one monosaccharide by saccharification of starch, membrane filtering the aqueous composition to form a monosaccharide-rich stream and an oligosaccharide-rich stream, and recovering the oligosaccharide-rich stream. Alternatively, the oligosaccharide composition can be produced by a process that comprises heating an aqueous feed composition that comprises at least one monosaccharide or linear saccharide oligomer, and that has a solids concentration of at least about 70% by weight, to a temperature of at least about 40° C.

Abstract: An edible article comprises a food product and a film that encloses the food product. In one embodiment, the film comprises a major amount of pullulan on a dry solids basis, and a minor amount of at least two of glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol. In another embodiment, the film comprises a major amount of pullulan on a dry solids basis, gelatin, and at least two of glycerol, propylene glycol, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol, and can also comprise salt. The edible article can be manufactured by preparing a film-forming composition as described above, forming the film-forming composition into a film, and enclosing a food product with the film.

Abstract: We disclose a food additive containing at least one fiber source and at least one monosaccharide or sugar alcohol selected from the group consisting of fructose and sorbitol. We also disclose a fiber-fortified foodstuff containing a base foodstuff; and the food additive. In addition, we disclose a method of fiber-fortifying a foodstuff by blending into the base foodstuff the food additive.

Abstract: We disclose a tablet containing at least one water-soluble fiber source, wherein the tablet is of a size and shape susceptible to insertion into a package of a beverage and the tablet will dissolve in the beverage in the absence of agitation in less than about 2 minutes. We also disclose a tablet containing at least one water-soluble fiber source, at least one acidulant, and at least one water-soluble carbonate or bicarbonate, wherein the tablet is of a size and shape susceptible to insertion into a package of a beverage. We also disclose a fiber delivery packet containing at least one water-soluble fiber source and a water-soluble film that encloses the at least one water-soluble fiber source, wherein the packet is of a size and shape susceptible to insertion into a package of a beverage and will dissolve in the beverage in the absence of agitation at a temperature from about 4° C. to about 25° C. in less than about 2 minutes.

Abstract: An edible article comprises a food product and a film that encloses the food product. The film comprises a major amount of pullulan on a dry solids basis, and a minor amount of at least two of glycerol, propylene glycol, and sorbitol. The edible article can be manufactured by preparing a film-forming composition that comprises a major amount of pullulan on a dry solids basis, and a minor amount of at least two of glycerol, propylene glycol, and sorbitol; forming the film-forming composition into a film; and enclosing a food product with the film.

Abstract: A food product comprises an oligosaccharide composition that is digestion resistant or slowly digestible. The oligosaccharide composition can be produced by a process that comprises producing an aqueous composition that comprises at least one oligosaccharide and at least one monosaccharide by saccharification of starch, membrane filtering the aqueous composition to form a monosaccharide-rich stream and an oligosaccharide-rich stream, and recovering the oligosaccharide-rich stream. Alternatively, the oligosaccharide composition can be produced by a process that comprises heating an aqueous feed composition that comprises at least one monosaccharide or linear saccharide oligomer, and that has a solids concentration of at least about 70% by weight, to a temperature of at least about 40° C.

Abstract: The methods and systems that can be implemented on a network such as the internet, wherein a server can access information on a database that includes modularized data files. A single modularized data file can be related to a single topic and can be associated with one or more other modules. A user accessing the server can specify a sequence of modules to generate a customized text. Modules can thereafter be further edited by users for greater customization. Modules can be associated with tags that characterize the modules by subject matter, degree of difficulty, learning scales, or other desired measures. Modules can be presented to a user based on one or more of the tag characteristics.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an admixture, for concrete, gypsum panels, and other cementitious products, derived from fermentation still bottoms. The admixture typically comprises protein, glycerol, and lactate, as well as smaller amounts of other alcohols, sugars, and other organic acids. The admixture may be present as a solution (typically comprising about 30-50 wt % solids) or as a dry mixture. The admixture allows increased flow and reduced water use in concrete and gypsum slurries used in gypsum panel production. Concrete, cement, and gypsum premixes, ready-mixes, and poured structures are disclosed.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an admixture, for concrete, gypsum panels, and other cementitious products, derived from fermentation still bottoms. The admixture typically comprises protein, glycerol, and lactate, as well as smaller amounts of other alcohols, sugars, and other organic acids. The admixture may be present as a solution (typically comprising about 30-50 wt % solids) or as a dry mixture. The admixture allows increased flow and reduced water use in concrete and gypsum slurries used in gypsum panel production. Concrete, cement, and gypsum premixes, ready-mixes, and poured structures are disclosed.