Abstract: A thickening composition contains xanthan gum having per 100 parts by weight thereof, at least 0.5 parts by weight or more of metal salt bound on the surface of xanthan gum powder. This thickening composition is capable of convenient viscosity development by addition to water-containing objects. Thus, the thickening composition is suitable for use in, for example, food applications for convenient thickening of soft drinks, basting, sauce, dressing, soup, mousse, jelly, or the like, or application for viscosity development by addition of a small amount thereof to meals for patients having difficulty in mastication/swallowing, for example due to eating disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dextrin powder at a low cost which may be used as a component of thickeners that are good in dispersibility in moisture, etc. A dextrin powder obtainable by spray drying a dextrin solution, wherein dextrin particles with a length to thickness ratio of 3 or more are contained in a proportion of 3% or more (as based on the number of the particles). A thickener comprising the dextrin powder. A food comprising the dextrin powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gelling composition for preparing a gelatinous food which do not dissolve even when reheated (e.g., dysphagia diet). The present invention provides a gelling composition for preparing a gelatinous food which retains its original shape even when reheated, wherein the gelling composition comprises a water-soluble polymer capable of forming a thermo-irreversible gel. Also provided is a method of gelling a food and enhancing the shape-retaining property of the food against reheating by using the above-described gelling composition, as well as a method of preparing a gelatinous food which retains its original shape even when reheated by using the above-described gelling composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides dextrin particles at a low cost which may be used as a component of thickeners that are good in dispersibility in moisture, etc. Fibrous dextrin particles. A thickener comprising the fibrous dextrin particles. A food comprising the fibrous dextrin particles. A method of preparing fibrous dextrin particles, comprising spray drying a dextrin solution with a viscosity of 100 mPa·s or more.

Abstract: A thickening composition contains xanthan gum having per 100 parts by weight thereof, at least 0.5 parts by weight or more of metal salt bound on the surface of xanthan gum powder. This thickening composition is capable of convenient viscosity development by addition to water-containing objects. Thus, the thickening composition is suitable for use in, for example, food applications for convenient thickening of soft drinks, basting, sauce, dressing, soup, mousse, jelly, or the like, or application for viscosity development by addition of a small amount thereof to meals for patients having difficulty in mastication/swallowing, for example due to eating disorder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gelling composition for preparing a gelatinous food which do not dissolve even when reheated (e.g., dysphagia diet). The present invention provides a gelling composition for preparing a gelatinous food which retains its original shape even when reheated, wherein the gelling composition comprises a water-soluble polymer capable of forming a thermo-irreversible gel. Also provided is a method of gelling a food and enhancing the shape-retaining property of the food against reheating by using the above-described gelling composition, as well as a method of preparing a gelatinous food which retains its original shape even when reheated by using the above-described gelling composition.

Abstract: A thickening composition characterized by containing xanthan gum having per 100 parts by weight thereof, 0.5 part by weight or more of metal salt bound on the surface of xanthan gum powder. This thickening composition is capable of convenient viscosity development by addition to water-containing objects. Thus, the thickening composition is suitable for use in, for example, food application, for convenient thickening of soft drink, basting, sauce, dressing, soup, mousse, jelly, etc., or application for viscosity development by addition of a small amount thereof to meals for patients having difficulty in mastication/swallowing due to eating disorder, etc.