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.

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 .