Abstract: A method for obtaining an inulin-containing composition includes providing an inulin-containing plant material, such as Cichorium intybus roots, and providing the inulin-containing plant material in particulate form, wherein the particles have a particle size distribution such that at most 45 vol % of the particles has a size ?0.15 mm, and at least 90 vol % of the particles has a size ?4.0 mm. The optionally dried particulate inulin-containing plant material is then subjected to an extraction step in which the inulin is extracted from the plant material to obtain an inulin-enriched juice and an inulin-depleted pulp, which are then separated, preferably by either vacuum filtration, pressure filtration and/or centrifugation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing a betaine composition, containing between 40 and 85 wt. % betaine, between 1 and 20 wt. % fructan, and between 1 and 30 wt. % glucose and/or fructose. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a glucose composition, containing between 40 and 72 wt. % glucose, between 0 and 25 wt. % fructose, between 0.5 and 30 wt. % fructan, between 0.05 and 5 wt. % betaine, and between 0 and 10 wt. % sucrose.

Abstract: Inulin products which consist of a particular mixture of an easily fermentable inulin (EFI) component and a hardly fermentable inulin (HFI) component are provided. The products have advantageous nutritional effects/benefits which include dietary fiber effects, improved mineral absorption, particularly calcium and magnesium, bone mineral density increase, reduction of bone mineral density loss, modulation of lipid metabolism, stimulation of the immune system, and anti-cancer effects.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of betaine from a molasses comprises a conversion step, in which the molasses is subjected to the action of an enzyme having endo-inulinase activity and/or fructosyltransferase activity, to form a fructan-containing molasses (fructan-molasses); a separation step, in which the fructan-molasses is subjected to a chromatographic separation, thereby obtaining a betaine-containing fraction.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of betaine from a raw material consisting essentially of molasses. The process includes a demineralization step, a conversion step and a separation step. In the demineralization step the overall amount of salts in the molasses is brought to a level lying below 2 wt. % (on overall dry matter). In the conversion step the molasses is subjected to the action of a fructan-forming enzyme, to form a fructan-containing molasses (fructan-molasses). Finally in the separation step, the fructan-molasses is subjected to a chromatographic separation, thereby obtaining a betaine-containing fraction. Whereby the demineralization step is executed prior to the separation step and whereby demineralization step may be executed prior to, during, or subsequent to the conversion step. The raw material may alternatively contain or consist essentially of thick juice.

Abstract: Provided is a betaine composition, containing between 40 and 85 wt. % betaine, between 1 and 20 wt. % fructan, and between 1 and 30 wt. % glucose and/or fructose. Also provided is a glucose composition, containing between 40 and 72 wt. % glucose, between 0 and 25 wt. % fructose, between 0.5 and 30 wt. % fructan, between 0.05 and 5 wt. % betaine, and between 0 and 10 wt. % sucrose.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of betaine from a raw material consisting essentially of molasses. The process includes a demineralisation step, a conversion step and a separation step. In the demineralisation step the overall amount of salts in the molasses is brought to a level lying below 2 wt. % (on overall dry matter). In the conversion step the molasses is subjected to the action of a fructan-forming enzyme, to form a fructan-containing molasses (fructan-molasses). Finally in the separation step, the fructan-molasses is subjected to a chromatographic separation, thereby obtaining a betaine-containing fraction. Whereby the demineralisation step is executed prior to the separation step and whereby demineralisation step may be executed prior to, during, or subsequent to the conversion step. The raw material may alternatively contain or consist essentially of thick juice.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of betaine from a molasses comprises a conversion step, in which the molasses is subjected to the action of an enzyme having endo-inulinase activity and/or fructosyltransferase activity, to form a fructan-containing molasses (fructan-molasses); a separation step, in which the fructan-molasses is subjected to a chromatographic separation, thereby obtaining a betaine-containing fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel inulin products and compositions thereof, to their manufacture, to their use for modifying and modulating the bacterial flora and the fermentation pattern of inulin in the large intestine of humans, mammals or other vertebrates, to their use for providing improved inulin-associated nutritional effects/benefits, as well as to their use for the manufacture of consumer products and compositions for providing said effects/benefits in healthy, disfunctioned and diseased humans, mammals and other vertebrates. The novel inulin products consist of a particular mixture of an easily fermentable inulin (EFI) component and a hardly fermentable inulin (HFI) component. The nutritional effects/benefits include dietary fibre effects, improved mineral absorption, particularly calcium and magnesium, bone mineral density increase, reduction of bone mineral density loss, modulation of lipid metabolism, stimulation of the immune system, and anti-cancer effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel inulin products and compositions thereof, to their manufacture, to their use for modifying and modulating the bacterial flora and the fermentation pattern of inulin in the large intestine of humans, mammals or other vertebrates, to their use for providing improved inulin-associated nutritional effects/benefits, as well as to their use for the manufacture of consumer products and compositions for providing said effects/benefits in healthy, disfunctioned and diseased humans, mammals and other vertebrates. The novel inulin products consist of a particular mixture of an easily fermentable inulin (EFI) component and a hardly fermentable inulin (HFI) component. The nutritional effects/benefits include dietary fiber effects, improved mineral absorption, particularly calcium and magnesium, bone mineral density increase, reduction of bone mineral density loss, modulation of lipid metabolism, stimulation of the immune system, and anti-cancer effects.

Abstract: The use of a dietary fiber or a mixture of dietary fibers for the manufacture of a composition, being a pharmaceutical composition or a functional food or a functional feed, for the prevention, the inhibition and/or the treatment of systemic infections in humans and in vertebrates caused by pathogenic bacteria is disclosed. A method for the prevention, the inhibition and/or the treatment of systemic infections in humans and in vertebrates caused by pathogenic bacteria, comprising administration to said beings, orally, through tube feeding or rectally, a composition containing an effective amount of a dietary fiber or mixture of dietary fibers is also disclosed. The dietary fiber is preferably a fructan, typically inulin and/or oligofructose, most preferably chicory inulin with an average degree of polymerization (DP) of at least 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel inulin products and compositions thereof, to their manufacture, to their use for modifying and modulating the bacterial flora and the fermentation pattern of inulin in the large intestine of humans, mammals or other vertebrates, to their use for providing improved inulin-associated nutritional effects/benefits, as well as to their use for the manufacture of consumer products and compositions for providing said effects/benefits in healthy, disfunctioned and diseased humans, mammals and other vertebrates.

Abstract: The use is provided of a fructran with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15 for the manufacture of a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer in non-bovine mammals, particularly in human beings. Also provided is a method of prevention and treatment of colon cancer in a non-bovine mammal, particularly in a human being, comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising an effective dose of a fructan with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15. The said composition can be a medicament as well as a functional food. In a preferrred embodiment the fructan is inulin, more preferably inulin with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 20.

Abstract: The use is provided of a fructran with an average degree of polymerisation of at least 15 for the manufacture of a composition for the prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer in non-bovine mammals, particularly in human beings.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of inulin, oligofructose or their derivatives as functional ingredients in functional food, functional feed, OTC and pharmaceutical composition to prevent mammary carcinogenesis or treat breast cancer.

Abstract: A method for chromatographically separating a polydispersed saccharide composition, wherein said composition is fed into a chromatography column in a metastable state. A low molecular weight saccharide-free polydispersed saccharide composition and its use in foodstuffs or preparations for producing same, are also disclosed.