Abstract: Provided are methods of quantifying miRNA in skin, the method comprising: applying a swellable microprotrusion array to a region of skin to absorb interstitial fluid; removing the microprotrusion array; recovering miRNA from the interstitial fluid absorbed into the microprotrusion array; and quantifying the miRNA. Also provided are methods of monitoring epigenetic changes in skin using a swellable microprotrusion array.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to a conventional sucrose cubes, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing compositions containing a high intensity sweetener, a bulking agent, and a gluing agent in a sufficient quantity to maintain the structural integrity of the sweetener cube, wherein the cohesive non-free flowing compositions has lower caloric burden and an equivalent sweetness to a sucrose cube of the same dimensions and the bulking agent and gluing agent are different substances. Also provided are cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions containing sucralose, polydextrose, erythritol, lactose, and trehalose, wherein the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions have a caloric burden of 2, 3, or 4 kilocalories per cube and a sweetness equivalent to about one teaspoon of sucrose.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to a similarly sized conventional sucrose cube, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition containing a high intensity sweetener, a bulking agent, polydextrose, and a desiccant, wherein the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition has a lower caloric burden than that of a conventional sucrose cube of about the same dimensions, an equivalent sweetness, and the bulking agent, polydextrose, and the desiccant are different substances, is disclosed. Also provided are cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions containing sucralose, polydextrose, and maltodextrin having a lower caloric burden than that of a conventional sucrose cube of about the same dimensions and an equivalent sweetness. Methods of making such low-calorie cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to a conventional sucrose cubes of the same dimensions, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition containing a high intensity sweetener and a bulking agent with a negative heat of solution in an amount sufficient to produce a total heat of solution in the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition of from about 5 kilocalories to about ?20 kilocalories, and a lower caloric burden and an equivalent sweetness compared to that of a conventional sucrose cube of the same dimensions.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions, e.g., sweetener cubes, useful for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to conventional sucrose cubes, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition containing a high intensity sweetener and a low-density bulking agent, wherein a sweetener cube formed from the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition having the same dimensions as a conventional sucrose cube has a lower caloric burden and an equivalent sweetness. Methods of making such cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions, e.g., sweetener cubes, useful for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to conventional sucrose cubes, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition containing a high intensity sweetener and a low-calorie bulking agent, wherein a sweetener cube formed from the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition has a lower caloric burden than that of a conventional sucrose cube of about the same dimensions and an equivalent sweetness. Also provided are sweetener cubes containing sucralose, polydextrose, trehalose, erythritol, tagatose, and/or lactose, wherein the sweetener cubes have a caloric burden of about 0.2, about 1, about 2, about 3, or about 4 kilocalories per cube and a sweetness equivalent to about one teaspoon of sucrose. Methods of making such cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions are also provided.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing compositions for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced caloric burden as compared to conventional sucrose cubes, are provided. More particularly, a low calorie Cohesive non-free flowing compositions containing a high intensity sweetener, a bulking agent, and a disintegrant, wherein a sweetener cube formed from the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition having about the same dimensions as a convention sucrose cube has a lower caloric burden and an equivalent sweetness is disclosed. Also provided are cohesive non-free flowing compositions containing sucralose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polydextrose, trehalose, and erythritol, wherein a sweetener cube formed from the cohesive non-free flowing composition having about the same dimension as a conventional sucrose cube has a lower caloric burden and a equivalent sweetness. Methods of making such sweetener cubes are also provided.

Abstract: Cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions for adding sweetness to liquid foodstuffs, for example, beverages, having a reduced volume and caloric burden as compared to conventional sucrose cubes of the same size, are provided. More particularly, a cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition containing a high intensity sweetener and a bulking agent, wherein the cohesive non-free flowing sweetener composition has a shape with a volume lower than that of a conventional sucrose cube of the same dimensions an equivalent sweetness equivalent is provided. Methods of making such cohesive non-free flowing sweetener compositions are also provided.