Abstract: A sugar composition consisting of from 90 to 99% by weight sugar and from 10 to 1% by weight of a non-gelling water-soluble dietary fibre. The sugar composition has substantially the properties of normal sugar, but contains a significant amount of dietary fibre, with consequent health benefits. A novel type of soluble fibre derived from sugar beet and a method for preparing it are disclosed. The composition may take the form of a concentrate or syrup, or may be in particulate form. The particulate form may be used as a direct sugar substitute. The fibre used may be a novel fibre obtainable by treating sugar beet with water free from chemical reagents at ambient pressure and at an elevated temperature, for example from 95.degree.-98.degree. C.

Abstract: The polysaccharide araban is extracted from sugar beet by a novel modification of the known alkaline extraction process in which, after neutralization of the alkaline liquor, the liquor is ultrafiltered and the retentate is dried to obtain dry araban. Araban, obtained by the above process or otherwise, is incubated with .alpha.-L-arabinofuranosidase to cleave most or all of the branches from the araban. The debranched araban forms an aqueous gel which has the properties of a fat mimetic and may be used as a fat substitute in foods. Isolated debranched araban derived from crude sugar beet araban is a novel substance. Araban itself may be used in the novel applications of emulsification and encapsulation of oils, for example flavor oils.