Non-Settling Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid Concentrate and Related Methods and Nutritional Compositions

Abstract

The present invention includes a method of producing a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate with an enzyme, the non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate, and nutritive additives and foods made therefrom.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. Nos. 61/162,164 and 61/162,178, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to galacto-oligosaccharide concentrates for nutritional supplement compositions and foodstuffs that may be used for livestock and humans, and methods of their production and use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) is a prebiotic, a non-digestible food substance that beneficially affects the host by stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon. GOS occurs naturally in human milk and is commonly used in infant formulas and livestock feed. It is generally manufactured from lactose through enzymatic conversion.

It is beneficial to produce galacto-oligosaccharide rich concentrates for use in a wide variety of animal and human foodstuffs and nutritional compositions and supplements. These uses include use of GOS concentrates as a substitute for other components of foodstuff and nutritional compositions.

One of the difficulties in the transport and use of GOS concentrates is that the liquid products are subject to sedimentation such that they cannot perform as desirable in a wide variety of industrial and agricultural uses that may require storage or transport over time and temperature profiles where sedimentation occurs, thus preventing their benefits from being realized.

In addition, liquid GOS concentrates also may be of such high viscosity that they can be unsuitable for industrial and agricultural uses that involve pumping, conduit transport or pouring.

Accordingly, where it is desired to use liquid GOS concentrates in industrial food production, such as in the production of animal feeds or food preparation processes, it is beneficial to be able to provide liquid GOS concentrates that have beneficial solids contents, while maintaining sufficiently good viscosity and resistance to sedimentation that they may be pumped, transferred by conduit, or poured in industrial settings.

Accordingly, there remains a need for GOS-rich concentrates that offer all of the nutritional benefits of hydrolyzed lactose and resultant GOS, but likewise offer an advantageous collection of concomitant physical properties, such as high solids, as well as suitable viscosity and resistance to sedimentation over typical storage periods and within temperature ranges experienced in various storage and transportation conditions, and in application climates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method for producing non-settling galacto-saccharide-rich liquid concentrate (NGLC), the non-settling galacto-saccharide-rich liquid concentrate produced thereby, and nutritive products containing same or produced therefrom.

The present invention also includes nutritional supplement and additive compositions in liquid or solid form that may be used in a wide variety of human and livestock applications and the like, such as for livestock feed mixture. Also included are methods of preparing the nutritional supplement and additive compositions, as well foodstuffs, using GOS liquid concentrates made in accordance with the present invention.

The present invention includes GOS liquid concentrate that can be rendered into a solid form and which as liquids exhibit improved bulk handling and storage properties, as well as improved flow and handling properties, and which can be processed through liquid handling equipment, such as through pumps, conduits and the like.

The characteristics of the NGLC prepared in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention include the ability to concentrate a GOS-rich concentrate to a pumpable, pourable, non-settling liquid, most preferably with 75-80% solids.

As to the non-settling parameters of the liquid composition of the present invention, these compositions have a sedimentation rate such that the liquid product may be held at 90 F for at least two weeks with no appreciable sedimentation, preferably up to four weeks and beyond.

As to the physical characteristics that make the liquid compositions of the present invention beneficial in terms of being able to be pumped and poured, these compositions have a viscosity in the range of from about 20 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 90 def F to about 120 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 5 def F as measured by a Brookfield Viscometer.

Method of Producing a Non-Settling Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid Concentrate

The present invention includes a method of producing a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate with an enzyme, the method comprising the steps: (a) subjecting the whey permeate having an initial solids content in the range of from about 15 to about 25 percent solids to hydrolysis by an enzyme, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid having a degree of hydrolysis above about 60 percent and preferably between about 65 percent and about 85 percent and a concentration of GOS above about 20 percent, and (b) subjecting the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to evaporation so as to bring the level of solids in the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to within a range of from about 60 to about 80 percent solids, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate whose settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 degrees F.°, which corresponds to a pellet volume of approx 0.2-0.4 ml as measured in the specified Centrifuge Settling Test.

The parameters of the Centrifuge Settling Test are as follows:

1. Table top centrifuge

2. 1,250 RPM

3. Radius 14 cm.

4. Calculated G force: 244 g

5. Test temperature 75 F

6. Pellet volume measured vs. time.

The present invention include a method of producing a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate with an enzyme, the method comprising the steps: (a) maintaining whey permeate having an initial solids content in the range of from about 25 to about 50 percent solids in a reaction vessel at a temperature in the range of from about 70° to about 80° C. for a period in the range of from about 15 to about 45 minutes; (b) cooling the whey permeate to within a temperature range at which the enzyme is reactive; (c) subjecting the whey permeate to hydrolysis by the enzyme at a temperature in the range of from about 25° to about 50° C. and at a pH in the range of from about 5.0 to about 7.5 for a period of time in the range of from about 3 to about 24 hours, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid; (i.e., the reaction mixture need only be in the pH and temperature range of any chosen lactase enzyme—e.g. fungal could be as low as pH3, some thermophylic lactases (not yet commercially available) could be as high as 60° C.); (d) subjecting the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to evaporation so as to bring the level of solids in the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to within a range of from about 60 to about 80 percent solids, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid whose settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 deg F.°, which corresponds to a pellet volume of approx 0.2-0.4 ml as measured in the specified Centrifuge Settling Test.

It is preferred that the whey permeate has an initial solids content in the range of from about 40 to about 50 percent solids. The preferred enzyme concentration is in the range of from about 0.0125%-0.1% of the reaction mixture for this solids range.

It is also preferred that the hydrolysis by the enzyme is carried out at a temperature in the range of a temperature in the range of from about 25° to about 50° C. and at a pH in the range of from about 5.0 to about 7.5 for a period of time in the range of from about 3 to about 24 hours, most preferably from about 35° to about 40° C., and that the hydrolysis by the enzyme is carried out at a pH in the range of from about 6.5 to about 7.0.

The hydrolysis reaction typically will be carried out for a period of time in the range of from about 4 to about 16 hours, preferably 6-12 hours. Typically, the degree of hydrolysis will be above about 65 percent, and preferably in the range of from about 60 percent to about 85 percent. In addition, under the prescribed enzymatic concentration, the liquid galacto-oligosaccharide-rich condensate will have a galactooligosaccharides (GOS) content in the range of about 10% to 30% by weight.

The evaporation step may be carried out so as to bring the level of solids in the whey permeate hydrolysate condensate to within a range of from about 65 to about 80 percent solids, preferably 75-80 percent solids.

Non-Settling Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid Concentrate

The present invention also includes a liquid galacto-oligosaccharide condensate composition made in accordance with the method of the present invention.

The present invention includes a liquid galacto-oligosaccharide condensate composition comprising a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide condensate, wherein the galacto-oligosaccharide condensate has a degree of hydrolysis in the range of from about 60 percent to about 85 percent, contains solids within a range of from about 65 to about 80 percent solids, preferably 75-80 percent solids, and resists settling for at least 2 weeks when maintained at 90 degrees F. The liquid composition also has a viscosity in the range of from about 20 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 90 degrees F. to about 120 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 5 degrees F. as measured by a Brookfield Viscometer.

Method of Producing a Dry Product from Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid Concentrate

The present invention also includes a method of producing a dried product from a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate with an enzyme, the method comprising the steps as described above and further adding a drying agent to the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate so as to obtain a dry product. The drying agent may be any substance appropriate to the desired nutritional application, and examples are those selected from the group consisting of maltodextrins and starches.

As to the physical characteristics that make the liquid compositions of the present invention beneficial in terms of being able to be pumped and poured, these compositions have a viscosity in the range of from about 90 to about 130 centipoise at 90 F°.

Nutritional Supplements, Components, Food Products and Related Methods

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention may be used in most applications where commercially available dry GOS-containing products can be used as a pre-biotic, such as in milk replacers for young animals or starter feeds for post weaning young animals. Thus, the present invention includes methods of producing livestock feeds and replacers using the dry or liquid product composition of the present invention, the compositions themselves, and methods of their use.

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention also may find beneficial application as a pre-biotic for companion animal and mono-gastric commercial production animals. Accordingly, the present invention includes methods of producing such pre-biotics, compositions and foodstuffs using the product compositions, the compositions themselves, and methods of their use.

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention may also be used as a pre-biotic ingredient in nutrition, protein, or sports nutrition bars and drinks as well as geriatric nutrition and protein bars and drinks. Thus, the present invention includes methods of production nutritional supplements, compositions and foodstuffs using the product composition of the present inventions, the compositions themselves and methods of their use.

The method of the present invention may be carried out by using whey permeate as a starting substance, as described in detail herein, or by using lactose as a starting substance. A starting substance comprising a combination of lactose and whey permeate may also be used according to the method of the present invention.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be used as a liquid rumen microorganism stimulant in the same manner as described for a corresponding dry product, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,689, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the present invention includes methods of producing such a liquid rumen microorganism stimulant and methods of its use for stimulating the growth of microorganisms in a ruminant animal by administering to the ruminant animal an effective amount of a liquid composition according to claim 11.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be used as a pelleted feed improvement in which the NGLC acts as a binder in place of those as applied in accordance with known formulations and processes.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be applied as an agglomeration aid for fast dispersing dried milk replacement products in a wide variety of forms and for several applications, such as a natural dairy beverage additive in the form of agglomerated natural milk powder as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,777,014, incorporated herein by reference. The invention thus includes a fast dispersing dried milk replacer product comprising an agglomeration aid comprising a liquid composition according to the present invention.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be used in a protein and carbohydrate encapsulated fat composition comprising an encapsulant component, wherein the encapsulant component encapsulant component comprising a liquid composition according to the present invention. The invention therefore includes a protein and carbohydrate encapsulated fat protein and carbohydrate encapsulated fat made using a liquid composition according to the present invention. Such compositions may be used as calf milk replacers, and the invention also includes a method of providing such nutrition to calves.

Although not limited to the theory of the invention, it is believed these improved properties are a result of the processing conditions used to enzymatically treat the whey permeate or lactose and concentrating the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid.

The methods of the present invention may be practiced using lactose as an alternative starting material as also described in co-pending patent application entitled NON-SETTLING HYDROLYZED WHEY PERMEATE CONCENTRATE AND RELATED METHODS AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITIONS filed Mar. 22, 2010, hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a reaction process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graph of sugars versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile as may arise in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a graph of sugars versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile as may arise in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a graph of sugars versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile as may arise in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a graph of lactose versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile as may arise in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a graph of GOS versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile as may arise in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a table showing a trial process for demonstrating the effect of hydrolysis on permeate solids in the production of GOS-rich concentrates in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table showing data for raw starting materials pricing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table showing the details of a process and experimental design for producing GOS-rich concentrates in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a table showing the data from several experiments for demonstrating the physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a typical sugar test sample preparation from several experiments for demonstrating the chemical and physical properties of GOS-rich contrite in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying enzyme concentrations, for demonstrating the physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a table showing the data from several GOS Process Optimization Experiments in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a graph of percent lactose hydrolysis versus time in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a graph of several sugar concentrations versus time in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a summary of results for a 20,000 gallon production run in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the foregoing summary of the invention, the following presents a detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which are considered to be the best mode thereof.

The preferred method and compositions described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and the application of the method to practical uses so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention.

Example 1 of the Manufacturing Process of the Present Invention

As a preferred but non-limiting example of the method by which compositions of the present invention may be made, the following steps may be followed:

FIG. 1 is a schematic flow diagram of a reaction process, and is representative of the process to manufacture a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate (NGLC) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The process steps for manufacture of NGLC include:

• • 1. Add whey permeate or lactose to hydrolysis vessel (30-50% solids, preferably 40-50%)
  • 2. Heat whey permeate or lactose solution to 70 to 80° C. (preferably 75° C.) for 15 to 45 min (preferably 30 min)
  • 3. Cool to specified reaction temperature of enzyme used (different for different enzyme sources)
  • 4. Hydrate enzyme in process water at reaction temperature in separate vessel and transfer to hydrolysis vessel to start hydrolysis
  • 5. Carry out hydrolysis at optimal temperature (25 to 50° C.—preferably 35-40° C.) and pH optimal (5.0 to 7.5—preferably 6.5-7.0) for 3 to 24 hours (preferably 6 to 2 hours)
  • 6. After hydrolysis has reached desired level transfer to evaporator and evaporate to 60 to 80% solids (preferably 75-80% solids)
  • 7. When desired level of solids is reached transfer to product storage vessel

Detailed lab and plant protocols along with HPLC sugar profiles are attached as the Figures hereto.

As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, this schematic shows a flow diagram of a reaction process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The whey permeate is preferably held in a holding tank with available stirring as shown. Likewise, the enzyme, such as Novo® Lactase (commercially available from Novozymes of Bagsvaerd, Denmark) or Validase® (commercially available from Valley Research of South Bend, Ind.), is held in a holding tank with available stirring. The whey permeate or lactose and enzyme are conducted to a hydrolysis reaction tank where hydrolysis takes place under the above described conditions. The resultant hydrolysate is then conducted to an evaporator where it is concentrated to the solids level described herein. The resultant hydrolysate concentrate may then be further conducted to a product storage tank or through conduits for further processing or packaging as required by the desired application.

FIGS. 2-4 are graphs of sugars versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile for the production of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, showing the results for various Deerland Lactase concentrations.

FIG. 5 is a graph of lactose versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile for the production of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, showing the results for various respective Deerland Lactase concentrations.

FIG. 6 is a graph of GOS versus reaction time showing a typical reaction profile for the production of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, showing the results for various respective Deerland Lactase concentrations.

FIG. 7 is a table showing a trial process for demonstrating the effect of hydrolysis on permeate solids in the production of GOS-rich concentrates in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a table showing data for raw starting materials pricing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a table showing the details of a process and experimental design for producing GOS-rich concentrates in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a table showing the data from several experiments for demonstrating the physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a table showing a typical sugar test sample preparation from several experiments for demonstrating the chemical and physical properties of GOS-rich contrite in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying enzyme concentrations, for demonstrating the physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a table showing the data from several experiments involving varying reaction times and showing physical properties of GOS-rich concentrate in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a table showing the data from several GOS Process Optimization Experiments in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a graph of percent lactose hydrolysis versus time in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a graph of several sugar concentrations versus time in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a summary of results for a 20,000 gallon production run in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The characteristics of the NGLC prepared in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention include the ability to concentrate a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to a pumpable, pourable, non-settling liquid, most preferably with 75-80% solids.

As to the non-settling parameters of the liquid composition of the present invention, these compositions have a sedimentation rate such that the liquid product may be held at 90 F for at least two weeks with no appreciable sedimentation.

As to the physical characteristics that make the liquid compositions of the present invention beneficial in terms of being able to be pumped and poured, these compositions have a viscosity in the range of from about 20 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 90 def F to about 120 milli-Pascals (or centipoise) at 5 def F as measured by a Brookfield Viscometer.

The method of the present invention allows the production of a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid which is a pumpable, pourable, non-settling liquid preferably at 75-80% solids.

The invention also offers the advantages of being able to use a starting material that may be either whey permeate or lactose, or combination thereof.

The method of the present invention allows the production of a GOS-rich liquid concentrate, containing 10-30% GOS on a dry solids basis, without having to purify the GOS by removal of monosaccharides through nano-filtration or fermentation.

The present invention also allows from the production of a dry product with the same composition as the liquid concentrate produced in accordance with the present invention. This may be done with the addition of a drying aid, such as maltodextrin, starch or other well known drying aids. The present invention therefore includes methods of producing nutritional supplements, compositions and foodstuffs using the dried form of the liquid product composition of the present invention, the compositions themselves, and methods of their use.

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention may be used in most applications where commercially available dry GOS-containing products can be used as a pre-biotic, such as in milk replacers for young animals or starter feeds for post weaning young animals. Thus, the present invention includes methods of producing livestock feeds and replacers using the dry or liquid product composition of the present invention, the compositions themselves, and methods of their use.

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention also may find beneficial application as a pre-biotic for companion animal and mono-gastric commercial production animals. Accordingly, the present invention includes methods of producing such pre-biotics, compositions and foodstuffs using the product compositions, the compositions themselves, and methods of their use.

The dry or liquid product composition of the present invention may also be used as a pre-biotic ingredient in nutrition, protein, or sports nutrition bars and drinks as well as geriatric nutrition and protein bars and drinks. Thus, the present invention includes methods of production nutritional supplements, compositions and foodstuffs using the product composition of the present inventions, the compositions themselves and methods of their use.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be used as a liquid rumen microorganism stimulant in the same manner as described for a corresponding dry product, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,689, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Accordingly, the present invention includes methods of producing such a liquid rumen microorganism stimulant and methods of its use.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be used as a pelleted feed improvement in which the NGLC acts as a binder.

The liquid product composition of the present invention also may be applied as an agglomeration aid for fast dispersing dried milk replacement products in a wide variety of forms and for several applications.

While specific formulations and process steps are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other process and composition variations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that this invention can also be employed in a variety of other applications.

Claims

1. A method of producing a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate with an enzyme, the method comprising the steps: (a) subjecting the whey permeate having an initial solids content in the range of from about 25 to about 50 percent solids to hydrolysis by an enzyme, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid having a degree of hydrolysis above about 60 percent and a concentration of galacto-oligosaccharide above about 20 percent, and (b) subjecting the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to evaporation so as to bring the level of solids in the resulting galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate to within a range of from about 60 to about 80 percent solids, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate whose settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 degrees F°.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said whey permeate has an initial solids content in the range of from about 40 to about 50 percent solids.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said hydrolysis by said enzyme is carried out for sufficient time to bring about a degree of hydrolysis between about 60 percent and about 85 percent.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said evaporation is carried out so as to bring the level of solids in said galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to within a range of from about 75 to about 80 percent solids.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said resulting galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate has a viscosity in the range of 90 to 20 centipoise at 90° F.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said settling profile corresponds to a pellet volume of approx 0.2-0.4 ml as measured in the specified Centrifuge Settling Test.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein said resulting galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate has a galactooligosaccharides (GOS) content in the range of about 10% to 30% by weight. Non-Settling Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid

8. A liquid composition comprising a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid condensate, said galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid contains solids within a range of from about 60 to about 80 percent solids, and having a settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 degrees F°.

9. A liquid composition according to claim 8, said galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid contains solids within a range of from about 75 to about 80 percent solids.

10. A liquid composition according to claim 8 having a viscosity in the range of from about 90 to about 120 centipoise at 90 F°.

11. A liquid composition comprising a non-settling galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid, said galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid contains solids within a range of from about 75 to about 80 percent solids, having a degree of hydrolysis from about 60 to about 85 percent, and having a viscosity in the range of from about 90 to about 120 centipoise at 90 F.°, and having a settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 degrees F°.

12. A liquid composition according to claim 11 having a galactooligosaccharides (GOS) content in the range of about 3% to 5% by weight.

13. An animal feed product adapted to act as a rumen microorganism stimulant, said animal feed product comprising a liquid composition according to claim 11.

14. A pelleted animal feed product that incorporates a binder, said binder comprising a liquid composition according to claim 11.

15. A fast dispersing dried milk replacer product comprising an agglomeration aid comprising a liquid composition according to claim 11.

16. A protein and carbohydrate encapsulated fat composition comprising an encapsulant component, said encapsulant component encapsulant component comprising a liquid composition according to claim 11 as a portion.

17. A solid composition comprising a composition according to claim 11 and additionally comprising a drying agent. Method of Producing a Dry Product from Non-settling Galacto-Oligosaccharide-Rich Liquid

18. A method of producing a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich dry product with an enzyme, the method comprising the steps:

a. subjecting the whey permeate having an initial solids content in the range of from about 25 to about 50 percent solids to hydrolysis by an enzyme, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid having a degree of hydrolysis above about 60 percent and a concentration of galacto-oligosaccharide above about 20 percent,

b. subjecting the galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid to evaporation so as to bring the level of solids in the resulting galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate to within a range of from about 60 to about 80 percent solids, so as to obtain a galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid concentrate whose settling profile is such that there is no detectable settling over two weeks when stored at 90 degrees F°.; and

c. adding a drying agent to said galacto-oligosaccharide-rich liquid so as to obtain a dry product.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said drying agent is selected from the group consisting of maltodextrins and starches.

20. A method according to claim 18 wherein said dry product has a galacto-oligosaccharide content in the range of from about 10 to about 30 percent.

21. A method of stimulating the growth of microorganisms in a ruminant animal, said method comprising administering to said ruminant animal an effective amount of a liquid composition according to claim 11.