Description:
The
importance and benefits of dietary fiber are well known and medically accepted.
An appropriate and regular intake of dietary fiber can prevent constipation and
hemorrhoids and lessen the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and
diverticulosis. Fiber has also been shown to play a role in treating and
preventing elevated cholesterol, heart disease, strokes, colon polyps, and colon
cancer.
Psyllium
is derived from the husks of the seeds of Plantago ovata, a plant that often
grows wild in the southwestern United States. It contains a high level of
soluble dietary fiber and is the chief ingredient in many commonly used bulk
laxatives. Psyllium also has been studied as a non-systemic cholesterol-lowering
agent, with generally modest effects seen on total cholesterol and low-density
lipoprotein levels.
Description
Michigan
State University’s invention provides processes and methods for preparing
several food products that are enriched with a psyllium composition. Food
product types include dough, pastas, snack bars, baked snack goods, and food and
drink mix products. The products are useful in lowering serum cholesterol levels
as well as for increasing dietary fiber in the diet.
Enzymatic
treatment of raw psyllium yields a modified psyllium with improved
functionality. A preferred method includes the steps of adding raw psyllium to
an aqueous dispersion containing a sufficient amount of an enzyme capable of
modifying the carbohydrates of the raw psyllium to yield a modified psyllium
with improved functionality. Products containing the modified psyllium and
methods for producing the same are also provided.
Benefits
·
Scientifically supported
benefits: Psyllium has health-related benefits that are supported
by scientific and medical research.
·
Proven to lower cholesterol and reduce heart
disease risk: A 10 percent decrease in blood cholesterol can
reduce the risk of heart disease by an average of 20 percent.
·
Helps manage constipation and
diarrhea: Psyllium has long been used as a chief ingredient in
bulk laxatives.
·
Increased satiety: Assists in
dietary management of blood glucose levels as well as weight management by
increasing the feeling of being full.
Applications
These
inventions are useful for preparing a variety of food products, such as dough,
pasta, and snacks, that promote a number of outcomes such as lower cholesterol,
weight management, management of blood glucose levels, and good colon health.
IP Protection
Status
U.S.
patents:
5,384,136
5,384,144
6,210,722
6,221,421
6,248,373
6,248,387
6,322,839
6,419,911
