Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a novel foodstuff useful as an alternative for edible fats and/or oils, an alternative for edible fats and/or oils using the foodstuff, and food products prepared by using these alternatives for fats and/or oils; a novel material usable as a water absorbent material and/or a water retention material; a water absorbent material and a water retention material produced by using such a material; and a water absorbent product and a water retention product produced by using the material. A composition containing a hydrogel component derived from gum-arabic, comprising at least 10 wt % of hydrogel component preferably obtained by heating gum arabic, is used as the alternative for edible oil, alternative for edible fats, water absorbent material, or water retention material.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide modified gum arabic having an increased total dietary fiber content and use thereof. The modified gum arabic of the present invention, which is obtained by heating gum arabic, has a total dietary fiber content (determined by AOAC method) of not less than 90%, and preferably has a weight-average molecular weight of not less than 1,000,000. This modified gum Arabic is usable as a dietary fiber material or an additive for enriching dietary fiber to be used in foods, drinks and medicines. Therefore, the present invention provides foods, drinks or medicines containing the above-described modified gum Arabic as dietary fiber material or an additive for enriching dietary fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-soluble modified gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 0.9 million and arabinogalactan protein not less than 17% by weight obtained by heating Acacia Senegal gum arabic and modified water-soluble gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 2.5 million and with protein containing high molecular weight components of not less than 25% by weight. Moreover, the present invention provides modified gum arabic with standardized and predictable molecular properties and methods for providing the modified gum arabic endowed with high emulsification efficiency and stability and for uniforming natural variations in unmodified gum arabic. The present invention changes the natural protein distribution of gum arabic, and increases AGP content.