Process for thickening human breast milk

Abstract

A process for thickening human breast milk, the process comprising admixing the human breast milk with an effective amount of an aqueous thickener concentrate. Preferably, the aqueous thickener concentrate is contained in a package and consists essentially of fully hydrated xanthan gum and water.

1 . A process for thickening human breast milk, said process comprising admixing said human breast milk with an effective amount of an aqueous concentrate thickener. 
   
   
       2 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  where said thickener is selected from the group consisting of at least one of alginates, carrageenan, galactomannans, cellulosics, xanthan gum and gum arabic. 
   
   
       3 . A process in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said thickener comprises at least one galactomannan selected from the group consisting of guar gum, locust bean gum, and carob bean gum. 
   
   
       4 . A process in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said thickener comprises at least one alginate salt selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, potassium alginate, and ammonium alginate. 
   
   
       5 . A process in accordance with  claim 2  wherein said thickener comprises at least one cellulosic selected from the group consisting of sodium carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. 
   
   
       6 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said thickener is selected from at least one of guar gum, carrageenan, and xanthan gum. 
   
   
       7 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said concentrate thickener comprises xanthan gum. 
   
   
       8 . A process in accordance with  claim 7  wherein said xanthan gum composition comprises from about 2% to about 5% xanthan gum by weight. 
   
   
       9 . A process in accordance with  claim 8  wherein said xanthan gum composition comprises from about 3.5% to about 4.5% xanthan gum. 
   
   
       10 . A process in accordance with  claim 9  wherein said xanthan gum composition comprises from about 3.6% to about 4.3% xanthan gum. 
   
   
       11 . A process in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, insoluble foods and preservatives. 
   
   
       12 . A process for thickening human breast milk, said process comprising admixing said human breast milk with an effective amount of a packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition, said packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition consisting essentially of a fully hydrated thickener and water. 
   
   
       13 . A process in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said thickener comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, carrageenan, guar gum, carob bean gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and xanthan gum. 
   
   
       14 . A process in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said thickener comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of carrageenan, guar gum, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and xanthan gum. 
   
   
       15 . A process in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said thickener comprises xanthan gum. 
   
   
       16 . A process in accordance with  claim 12  wherein said aqueous concentrate thickener composition comprises from about 2% to about 5% xanthan gum by weight. 
   
   
       17 . A process in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said aqueous concentrate thickener composition comprises from about 3.5% to about 4.5% xanthan gum. 
   
   
       18 . A process in accordance with  claim 16  wherein said aqueous concentrate thickener composition comprises from about 3.6% to about 4.3% xanthan gum. 
   
   
       19 . A process in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, insoluble foods and preservatives. 
   
   
       20 . A process for thickening human breast milk, said process comprising admixing said human breast milk with an effective amount of a packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition, said packaged aqueous concentrate thickener composition being resistant to being broken down by enzymes in said breast milk. 
   
   
       21 . A process in accordance with  claim 20  wherein aid aqueous concentrate thickener composition comprises from about 2% to about 5% xanthan gum by weight. 
   
   
       22 . A process in accordance with  claim 20  wherein the composition includes a non-substantial amount as relates to thickening of at least one component selected from the group consisting of acids, bases, acidulates, chelating agents, flavors, colors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, and preservatives. 
   
   
       23 . Thickened human breast milk that maintains a clinically appropriate thickness level for at least one hour when thickened with an aqueous concentrate thickener.