Development of vital wheat gluten in non-aqueous media

Abstract

The present invention relates to the development of vital wheat gluten in non-aqueous media. The gluten which have been developed in such a way can easily be stored for a prolonged period. The gluten are used in the preparation of chewable consumable products, or in processed food and feed.

1 - 11 . (canceled).  
     
     
         12 . A food or feed product comprising a wheat gluten which has been developed by 
 (a) mixing a wheat gluten 20-60% (d.s. w/w) with a non-aqueous medium that contains less than 20% of water;    (b) kneading the mixture in a kneader at a temperature of between 50° C. and 90° C.; and    (c) continuing the kneading in the kneader until a value representing at least 75% of the maximal torque for kneading the mixture in the kneader is reached.    
     
     
         13 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-aqueous medium contains less than 15% water.  
     
     
         14 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-aqueous medium contains less than 10% water.  
     
     
         15 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the water activity of the non-aqueous medium is below 0.8.  
     
     
         16 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the developed gluten product has a water activity such that microbial growth is not possible.  
     
     
         17 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the kneading is halted after 75% of the value representing at least 75% of the maximal torque is reached.  
     
     
         18 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein other ingredients are added to the gluten during a later stage of the kneading, or before, during or after shaping the gluten.  
     
     
         19 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the non-aqueous medium is a concentrated carbohydrate syrup.  
     
     
         20 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, glucose, fructose, sucrose, invert sugar, sorbitol, and lactose.  
     
     
         21 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein the wheat gluten is vital wheat gluten.  
     
     
         22 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein said food or feed product comprises chewing gum or a chewable candy.  
     
     
         23 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein said food or feed product comprises a pet food.  
     
     
         24 . A food or feed product according to  claim 12 , wherein said food or feed product comprises a baked or fried product.  
     
     
         25 . A food or feed product comprising a wheat gluten which has been developed in a non-aqueous medium, said developing including kneading a mixture of wheat gluten and the non-aqueous medium at a temperature of between 50° C. and 90° C.