JP4723047B1 - Thickener with dispersibility and viscosity development - Google Patents

Abstract

【Task】
Water, tea, juice, soft drinks, isotonic beverages, soup, miso soup, milk and concentrated liquid foods, when added to foods and drinks that contain moisture, while significantly reducing xanthan gum lumps, Provided is a thickening agent that also has a viscosity expression that can easily impart a desired viscosity to a target food or drink. In particular, the present invention provides a thickening agent in which the occurrence of lumps is remarkably suppressed even when the xanthan gum content is increased or when it is stirred under weak conditions such as hand stirring.
[Solution]
As a thickener, powdery xanthan gum is granulated as at least one raw material, and a primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less is added to one or more selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide. After adding the excipient, a secondary granulated product obtained by granulation is used.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a thickener for the purpose of imparting viscosity to food and drink containing water. Specifically, water, tea, juice, soft drinks, isotonic beverages, soups, miso soup, milk, and liquid foods such as concentrated liquid foods are significantly suppressed from causing lumps, such as hand stirring. The present invention relates to a thickener containing xanthan gum, which can easily give a desired viscosity to a target food or drink with a small amount of addition even under weak stirring conditions.

Xanthane gum is an example of a thickening polysaccharide that is widely used as a thickening agent for the purpose of imparting viscosity to water-containing foods and beverages such as beverages and seasonings. Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas campestris outside the cell, dissolves in cold water, and has a high viscosity at a low concentration compared to other polysaccharides. Excellent suitability as an agent. Furthermore, it is excellent in salt resistance, freeze-thaw resistance, and pH resistance, and can be applied to various foods and beverages such as beverages, dressings and sauces.

  It is known that when the xanthan gum is dissolved in a food or drink containing water or moisture as powder, so-called “dama” is remarkably generated. “Dama” means that when a thick polysaccharide polysaccharide is added to an aqueous solution, only the surface portion of the aggregate of powder is hydrated and dissolved, and moisture does not migrate to the interior of the aggregate (the interior is in a powder state). Formed). In particular, xanthan gum has an extremely strong property of holding water as compared with other thickening polysaccharides, and hydration is fast, so that lumps tend to occur remarkably. Once formed, it is very difficult to completely dissolve it, and it is difficult to completely dissolve it even under severe stirring conditions such as increasing the stirring strength and lengthening the stirring time. Depending on the purpose of use, the thickener may be subjected to mechanical stirring conditions, or it may be stirred manually using a spatula, such as at home or in the nursing home, or even under weak stirring conditions such as manual stirring. There has been a demand for a thickening agent that does not become lumpy and can impart viscosity with a small amount of addition.

  Another requirement required for the thickening agent is rapid viscosity application (speed of viscosity development). The faster the hydration rate of the thickening polysaccharide, the quicker the viscosity can be imparted to the target food or drink. However, the faster the hydration rate of the thickening polysaccharide, the more the surface portion of the powder is hydrated, and as a result, the occurrence of lumps becomes remarkable. As described above, in the prior art, it has been difficult to achieve both suppression of lumps and speed of viscosity development.

  As a method of suppressing the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps or improving the viscosity expression as a thickening agent, a method of binding a metal salt to the powder surface of xanthan gum (Patent Documents 1 and 2), granulating octenyl succinic acid starch A method (Patent Document 3) used as a binder liquid at the time is known. However, the methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have the essential step of adding a component such as a metal salt or octenyl succinic acid starch for the purpose of improving dispersibility, so that the component is dissolved in a binder liquid at the time of production. It takes time and effort. Furthermore, for patients with recent health preferences and symptoms such as renal failure, hypertension and diabetic nephropathy, the content of metal salts such as sodium and potassium in food and drink is an important factor in product design. Occupy. The methods disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 that require the binding of a metal salt to xanthan gum are inconvenient, such as a change in component balance in product design. Moreover, depending on the kind of component added separately, it had the subject of affecting the taste quality of the food / beverage products used as thickening object.

In Patent Document 4, in a method of granulating powder using a fluidized bed processing apparatus, first, a powder raw material of 30 to 80% of the total charged weight is first charged into a fluidized chamber, and primary while spraying a binding liquid. A method for producing granules is described, in which granulation is performed, and then the remaining powder raw material is continuously supplied to the fluidization chamber, and the secondary granulation is performed by spraying the binding liquid. . However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 4 is a technique aimed at obtaining heavy granules having a high apparent density, and is a technique completely different from the present invention not intended for the preparation of heavy granules. is there. As the granule voids are reduced as described in Patent Document 4, the surface area becomes smaller, and when the technique is applied to xanthan gum, as a result, a state in which lumps are likely to occur.
The inventors of the present invention intend to granulate a thickening polysaccharide, which aims to satisfy two contradictory properties at the same time, which suppresses the occurrence of lumps and accelerates the onset of viscosity. This problem cannot be solved simply by making the granules heavy. Among the thickening polysaccharides, the technical field differs from Patent Document 4 in that xanthan gum has the highest technical hurdle but the highest practical need.

  Patent Document 5 discloses a thickener obtained by granulating granulated xanthan gum in Comparative Example 3 of Experimental Example 1. Patent Document 5 discloses xanthan gum granules having a specific bulk specific gravity. It is not disclosed at all that the thickening agent having both the suppression of lumps and the speed of viscosity development can be provided by carrying out the granulation step using the above. Furthermore, the thickener of Comparative Example 3 disclosed in Patent Document 5 is extremely viscous in tea beverages (Experimental Example 2 of Patent Document 5) and acidic liquid compositions (Experimental Examples 3 and 4). The product value was low as a thickener.

  More recently, high-titer thickeners that can impart high thickening with a small amount of addition have been demanded from the viewpoints of downsizing and resource saving of packaging materials and saving storage space in hospitals and nursing care facilities. ing.

  Thickening agents used for thickening purposes include food polysaccharides (thickening polysaccharides on food additives) as thickening ingredients, and starch, dextrin, and sugars as dispersion media (excipients). . In order to obtain a higher thickening effect with a small amount of addition, it is necessary to increase the blending ratio of the thickening polysaccharide. That is, the blending ratio of the dispersion medium (excipient) is lowered, and as a result, lumps are easily formed.

JP 2008-43249 A International Publication No. 06/095756 Pamphlet JP 2004-24182 A Japanese Patent No. 3003047 JP 2007-124954 A

The present invention significantly suppresses xanthan gum lumps, which occur when added to water-containing foods and beverages such as water, tea, juice, soft drinks, isotonic beverages, soups, miso soup, milk and concentrated liquid foods, while small amounts An object of the present invention is to provide a thickening agent that also has a viscosity development property that can easily impart a desired viscosity to a target food or drink with the addition of.
In particular, with the increase in the number of elderly people, the number of people with difficulty in chewing / swallowing, which has a disorder in the series of actions of chewing and swallowing food, has increased in recent years. Various thickening agents have been developed for thickening foods and drinks containing the above water. In the present invention, a patient who is difficult to chew and swallow, or a caregiver thereof, adds a thickener to a food or drink containing water on the spot, and stirs it by hand using a spatula or the like. It aims at providing the thickener which can attach a viscosity (thickness) to food-drinks simply without producing. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a high-titer type xanthan gum-containing thickener that satisfies the above characteristics.

  As a result of diligent research to solve the above-described problems, the present inventors have granulated powdery xanthan gum as at least one of the raw materials to produce a primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less. After adding one or more excipients selected from dextrin, starch, and saccharide, it is extremely excellent from the viewpoint of suppression of lumps and rapid expression of viscosity by passing through a granulation (secondary granulation) step. It has been found that a thickener satisfying the properties can be obtained. Specifically, the present inventors have found that a thickening agent capable of remarkably suppressing the occurrence of lumps even under weak stirring conditions such as manual stirring, and capable of quickly imparting viscosity to the target food or drink with a small amount of addition.

The present invention relates to a thickener having the following aspects.
Item 1. After adding at least one excipient selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide to primary granulated granulated powdery xanthan gum having at least one bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml A thickener containing a secondary granulated product obtained by granulation.
Item 2. Item 2. The thickening agent according to Item 1, wherein the granulation method of the primary granulated product and the secondary granulated product is fluidized bed granulation.
Item 3. Item 3. The thickening agent according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the content of xanthan gum is 35% by mass or more.
Item 4. Item 4. The thickening agent according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein no excipient is used during production of the primary granulated product.
Item 5. After adding at least one excipient selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide to primary granulated granulated powdery xanthan gum having at least one bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml A method for suppressing the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps, characterized by granulating.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, generation | occurrence | production of the xanthan gum lump produced when a thickener is added to the food / beverage products containing a water | moisture content can be suppressed notably. Especially this invention has a big effect at the time of weak stirring conditions like the hand stirring which a thickener is normally used for the purpose of thickening provision.
The thickening agent of the present invention also has a property that the viscosity is rapidly developed despite occurrence of lumps being remarkably suppressed, and the stirring time until the viscosity is developed can be shortened. The thickening agent of the present invention has excellent characteristics that are compatible with contradictory properties such as suppression of lumps and rapid viscosity development. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a so-called high-titer type thickening agent that can easily impart viscosity to a target food or drink by adding a small amount (for example, 1 to 2%).
Furthermore, according to the process according to the present invention, thickening is suppressed without affecting the taste quality itself of the food and drink, the lumps are suppressed, the viscosity development is good, and the addition of a small amount has a high thickening effect. Agent can be produced.

In Experimental Example 1, the state of the lumps after adding and stirring the thickener of Example 1-1 is shown. In Experimental Example 1, the state of lumps after adding and stirring the thickener of Example 1-2 is shown. In Experimental Example 1, the state of lumps after adding and stirring the thickener of Example 1-3 is shown. In Experimental Example 1, the state of the lumps after adding and stirring the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-1 is shown. In Experimental Example 1, the state of the lumps after adding and stirring the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-2 is shown. In Experimental Example 1, the state of the lumps after adding and stirring the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-3 is shown. The viscosity developability of Examples 1-2 and 1-4 in Experimental Example 1 and Comparative Example 1-4 is shown.

  In the present invention, a primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less, granulated with powdery xanthan gum as at least one raw material, and one or more excipients selected from dextrin, starch and saccharides A secondary granulated product obtained by granulating after adding the agent is contained in the thickener.

The first feature of the present invention is that xanthan gum obtained through two granulation steps is used as a thickening agent. As a granulation method, it can carry out using methods, such as stirring granulation, extrusion granulation, rolling granulation, fluidized bed granulation, etc. which are generally performed in the field of food. In the present invention, it is preferable to perform granulation by fluidized bed granulation as a granulation method during primary granulation and secondary granulation. The following method can be illustrated as a granulation method by fluidized bed granulation.
Powder raw materials such as xanthan gum powder are put into a granulator, and hot air is sent from below to make the powder flow. Binder liquid is jetted onto this fluidized bed, and the binder liquid is uniformly attached to the powder surface to form agglomerated particles, which are dried to produce granules.

  As the binder liquid, for example, water can be used. In the conventional technique (a normal granulation method without secondary granulation), when granules are prepared using water as a binder solution, it is impossible to suppress the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps, and modified starch, organic acid, metal A technique using a binder liquid to which various materials such as salt and dextrin are added is mainly used. The method of using a binder liquid containing a modified starch, an organic acid, a metal salt, etc. is essential particularly when the xanthan gum content in the granule is high. In the conventional technique (ordinary granulation method without secondary granulation) in which xanthan gum content is increased, the lumps are remarkably generated and the thickener is provided by granulating xanthan gum powder using water as a binder liquid. It is impossible to suppress the occurrence of lumps.

  In this invention, even if it is a case where water is used as a binder liquid, it has the advantage that generation | occurrence | production of the xanthan gum lump as a secondary granulated material can be suppressed notably. Therefore, even when added to foods and drinks, there are merits such as that the original taste of foods and drinks is not affected and that the balance of metal salts such as sodium content in the final food and drink is not changed. As a result, it is a great merit in the product design of the thickener. In particular, in providing a high-titer type thickening agent, a technology capable of designing a product using water as a binder liquid is extremely versatile.

  Various xanthan gums in powder form can be used as the xanthan gum as a raw material for primary granulation. For example, commercially available powdered xanthan gum products such as “SAN ACE [registered trademark] C”, “Bistop [registered trademark] D-3000-DF-C” manufactured by San-Ei Gen FFI Co., Ltd., etc. Is mentioned. In the present invention, a primary granulated product containing xanthan gum obtained by granulating powdery xanthan gum is used as a raw material for secondary granulation.

The second feature of the present invention is that, among the primary granules thus obtained, the bulk specific gravity is 0.45 g / ml or less, preferably 0.4 g / ml or less, more preferably 0.38 g / ml or less. It is in the point which uses the primary granulated product of xanthan gum. Bulk specific gravity is calculated | required by filling the container with a capacity | capacitance of 100 ml with a full primary granulated material, and measuring the weight of the filled granule. In this invention, according to this measuring method, the granulated material whose bulk specific gravity is 0.45 g / ml or less among the primary granulated material containing the xanthan gum obtained (henceforth "the primary granulated product of xanthan gum"). Is used as a raw material for secondary granulation.
The lower limit of the bulk specific gravity is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.10 g / ml or more.

  When the bulk specific gravity of the primary granulated product obtained by granulating powdery xanthan gum as at least one of the raw materials exceeds 0.45 g / ml, for example, reducing the amount of raw material for primary granulation, By appropriately changing the conditions at the time of granulation such as increasing the amount, a granule having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less can be obtained.

  In the present invention, when obtaining a primary granulated product of xanthan gum, it is also possible to use one or more excipients selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide in combination. In this case as well, the effects of the present invention can be obtained. However, when the primary granulated product (100% xanthan gum granule) obtained using only powdered xanthan gum as a raw material is used as the raw material for secondary granulation, the most damaging occurrence is observed. Since it can suppress, it is preferable.

  In the present invention, among the primary granulated products of the xanthan gum, secondary granulation is performed using a primary granulated material having a particle diameter of 16 mesh pass 100 mesh on (150 μm or more and less than 1000 μm) as a raw material, It is desirable from the viewpoint of suppression of lumps and viscosity development.

  The primary granulation of the xanthan gum having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less thus obtained is used as a raw material, so that secondary granulation is performed. A thickener can be obtained. The resulting thickener (secondary granulated product itself or thickener containing secondary granulated product) can be used even under weak stirring conditions such as hand stirring, so it is particularly difficult to chew and swallow It is effective as a thickener (thickness-adjusted food) for the elderly. On the other hand, when the bulk specific gravity of the primary granulated product of xanthan gum exceeds 0.45 g / ml, the viscosity expression is extremely delayed and the final viscosity expression is low, and the desired viscosity for food and drink with a small amount of addition. Cannot be granted.

The present invention is a granulated powder of xanthan gum as at least one raw material, and a primary granulated product of xanthan gum having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less, and one or more selected from dextrin, starch and saccharides Secondary granulation is performed using an excipient as a raw material.
Through a two-step granulation process, the occurrence of lumps is significantly suppressed compared to a thickener (one-step granulation) obtained by granulating xanthan gum powder and these excipients. Can be provided. In addition to the occurrence of lumps being remarkably suppressed, the resulting thickener has a rapid onset of viscosity. As described above, the faster the hydration rate of xanthan gum, the faster the viscosity can be imparted to the target food or drink, while the probability that only the surface portion will hydrate before the inside of the thickener hydrates increases, As a result, the occurrence of lumps becomes remarkable. Therefore, it has been considered extremely difficult to achieve both suppression of lumps and speed of viscosity development with conventional thickeners, but these two contradicting characteristics are combined through a two-step granulation process. It has become possible to provide a thickening agent having a high viscosity. Further, the obtained thickener can be used even under weak stirring conditions such as hand stirring, such as 10 rotations / second or less, and in particular, a thickening agent (thickness-adjusted food) for those with difficulty in chewing / swallowing It is effective as

  If the time for primary granulation is lengthened instead of passing through the two-stage granulation step, the intended thickener cannot be obtained. On the contrary, the granulation time may become longer, and the disintegration of the granules may proceed. This is because the number of times of contact between the granules grown in the fluidized bed granulation increases. When the amount of the binder liquid added is excessively increased with respect to the growth of the granules, stickiness occurs, and a flocking phenomenon (granulation of the granules) occurs in which the granules are bound together. Even if it can be prepared, it becomes a heavy granule with no porosity, and not only does the surface area become small, but it becomes easy to be damped, and the water familiarity (viscosity expression) becomes slow. This is particularly noticeable under weak stirring conditions such as hand stirring.

  The combined ratio of xanthan gum and one or more excipients selected from dextrin, starch, and saccharide is not particularly limited, but the excipient is preferably 40 to 400 parts by mass, more preferably 90 parts per 100 parts by mass of xanthan gum. It is desirable to use together so that it may become -300 mass parts. Here, the compounding quantity of an excipient | filler is the addition amount with respect to 100 mass parts of xanthan gum in a secondary granulated material (final result product), and is 1 type chosen from dextrin, starch, and saccharides at the time of manufacture of a primary granulated material When the above excipients are used, the total amount of excipients used during primary granulation and excipients used during secondary granulation is shown.

Examples of such excipients include dextrin, amylodextrin, erythrodextrin, acrodextrin, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin and other dextrins, corn, waxy corn, potato, sweet potato, wheat, rice, sticky rice, tapioca, sago palm, etc. Raw starch or processed starch that has been subjected to physical or chemical treatment (acid-degraded starch, oxidized starch, pregelatinized starch, grafted starch, carboxymethyl group, hydroxyalkyl group, etc.) , Esterified starch introduced with acetyl group, etc., cross-linked starch in which polyfunctional groups are bonded between two or more hydroxyl groups of starch, emulsifiable starch, wet heat / dried starch, etc.) starch, sucrose, fructose, glucose , Sugars such as maltose, saccharified starch, reduced starch syrup, and trehalose. Among these, dextrin can be preferably used.
The excipient may be powdery or granular.

Theoretically, it is desirable to prepare a thickening agent having a xanthan gum content of 100% by mass in order to make maximum use of the thickening of xanthan gum. However, as the xanthan gum content is increased, the amount of generated lumps increases. For example, a large amount of lumps are generated under weak stirring conditions such as manual stirring, and the function as a thickener cannot be achieved. .
Currently, the xanthan gum content of thickeners marketed for homes and nursing care sites is about 20 to 30% by mass. Generally, the formulation design of thickeners containing xanthan gum of 35% by mass or more is It was difficult.
In such a technical background, the present invention remarkably suppresses the occurrence of lumps and develops a viscosity even when xanthane gum is contained in the thickening agent in an amount of 35% by mass or more, further 40% by mass or more. Can provide a good thickener. Therefore, even if it is a thickener used under weak stirring conditions such as hand stirring, it has a high xanthan gum content and has a high thickening effect with a small amount of addition. It became possible to provide an agent.

  In the present invention, in order to further improve the dispersibility of the thickening agent, various materials listed below can be used in combination. For example, inorganic salts including chlorides such as sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, organic acids such as citric acid and trisodium citrate and salts thereof, surfactants such as sucrose fatty acid ester, gum arabic, gati gum, Preferred examples include sugar beet pectin, polysaccharides such as guar gum and pullulan. There is no particular limitation on the timing of addition of the above materials, and the method of adding powder mixed with xanthan gum during primary granulation of powdered xanthan gum, or when granulating the primary granulated product of xanthan gum, primary granulation The method of adding to a thing is mentioned. Alternatively, it can be used by dissolving in a binder solution.

In the present invention, it is also possible to use a thickener and a gelling agent other than xanthan gum in combination. For example, in addition to xanthan gum powder used as a raw material for primary granulation, carrageenan, agar, gellan gum (deacylated gellan gum, native gellan gum), galactomannan (guar gum, locust bean gum, tara gum), celluloses (microcrystals) Cellulose, microfibrous cellulose, etc.), Tamarind seed gum, gum arabic, gati gum, pectin, pullulan, glucomannan, etc. are mixed for primary granulation, and primary granulated product containing xanthan gum (primary granulation of xanthan gum) Can also be obtained.
Similarly, when secondary granulation is performed using a primary granulated product containing xanthan gum and having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less, the thickener and / or the gelling agent may be used in combination. it can. Specifically, a powdery or granular thickening agent and / or gelling agent is added together with an excipient to a primary granulated product containing at least xanthan gum and having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less. The method of performing secondary granulation is mentioned.

  The thickener of the present invention thus obtained can be imparted with a desired viscosity by being added to various foods and drinks containing moisture. In this case, the stirring condition of the thickener is relatively weak stirring such as manual stirring. Examples of water-containing foods and beverages include water, tea, tea, and other tea beverages; juices such as soft drinks with fruit juice, fruit juices, and vegetable juices; milk, milk beverages, lactic acid bacteria beverages, carbonated beverages, isotonic beverages, and functionality Beverages such as beverages, vitamin supplements, nutritional balanced beverages, powdered beverages, alcoholic beverages such as wine, sake, shochu, whiskey, cocktails, and rice foods such as soup, miso soup, stew, curry, and salmon It is done.

  The thickener of this invention can also be used at the time of manufacture of the various food / beverage products containing a water | moisture content. In this case, the stirring condition of the thickener is relatively strong stirring such as mechanical stirring. For example, ice cream and other frozen desserts, pudding, jelly, bavaria, yogurt and other desserts, sugar, sweets such as gum, chocolate and soft candy, dressings, sauces, sauces and other seasonings, jams, processed meat products, processed fish products, Examples include noodles and other side dishes.

  In addition to these general foods, protein / phosphorus / potassium-adjusted foods, salt-adjusted foods, oils and fats-adjusted foods, intestinal foods, calcium / iron / vitamin-enriched foods, hypoallergenic foods, concentrated liquid foods, enteral Special foods and therapeutic foods such as nutrients, mixer meals, chopped meals, mousse meals and paste meals can be mentioned.

  In particular, foods and drinks with high water content such as water and tea, and low protein and lipid contents have a faster hydration rate of xanthan gum than other foods and drinks. Even when the thickener of the invention is used in water, tea, or the like, the desired viscosity can be imparted without the xanthan gum becoming lumpy. On the other hand, in foods and drinks with relatively low water content such as milk and concentrated liquid foods, the water for dissolving xanthan gum is not sufficient, so only the surface of xanthan gum is dissolved, and water does not migrate to the inside. , The lumps occur. In addition, these foods and beverages tend to be slower in viscosity than water and tea. The thickener of the present invention has the advantage that it can be imparted with viscosity quickly and in a small amount without occurrence of lumps even in foods and drinks such as milk and concentrated liquid food, and has high versatility. .

  Drinks containing fruit juices and minerals such as fruit juice drinks and isotonic drinks tend to reduce the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps compared to water and tea, but on the other hand, the expression of viscosity of xanthan gum tends to be greatly reduced. The thickener of the present invention can be suitably used for fruit juice drinks and isotonic drinks.

The thickening agent of the present invention is particularly useful as a thickening agent (thickness-adjusting food) for those having difficulty in chewing / swallowing, which imparts thickness for eating by those who have difficulty chewing / swallowing.
Thickening foods for those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing add a thickening agent (thickness-adjusting food) while stirring food and drinks such as water and tea with a spoon at the nursing care site. Mostly prepared. Therefore, a thickening agent that does not generate lumps even under weak stirring conditions such as manual stirring is desired. The resulting lumps are extremely difficult to completely dissolve by hand stirring, and if they remain, they may cause aspiration. In addition, the delay in onset of viscosity not only leads to prolonged stirring time (burden for caregivers), but also misunderstood that caregivers who give food thickened do not reach the required viscosity. The situation which adds the above thickener may also be invited. In this case, the viscosity suddenly increases when a person with difficulty in chewing / swallowing is eating, and on the contrary, there is a possibility of imparting physical properties that are difficult to swallow. On the other hand, the thickening agent of the present invention is extremely excellent in the suppression effect of lumps that are noticeably generated under weak stirring conditions such as hand stirring, and also has a high viscosity, and can impart high thickness with a small amount of addition. Therefore, it is possible to easily prepare a food provided with thickness for eating by those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.

  The present invention also provides a method of suppressing the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps, which are the main component of the thickening agent. The method can be achieved according to the method described above. Specifically, one or more kinds of substances selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide are added to a primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less, which is granulated from powdered xanthan gum as at least one raw material. The purpose can be achieved by further granulation (secondary granulation) after the addition of the dosage form.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples. However, these examples do not limit the present invention. In the examples, “parts” and “%” are “parts by mass” and “mass%”, respectively, “*” in the text is from Saneigen FFI Co., Ltd., and “*” in the text is from Saneigen. It means that it is a registered trademark of FFI Corporation.

Experimental Example 1 Preparation of thickener containing xanthan gum According to the formulation in Table 1, a thickener containing xanthan gum was prepared.
In Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-3, 400 g of a powder mixture of xanthan gum powder and dextrin powder was prepared according to the ratio shown in Table 1, and 140 g of water was used as a binder liquid with respect to the powder mixture. It was prepared by granulating (primary granulation only).
In Examples 1-1 to 1-4, a primary granulated product of xanthan gum was prepared in advance and prepared through a two-step granulation process.

(Primary granulated product of xanthan gum used in Examples 1-1 to 1-4)
Fluidized bed granulation was performed using 400 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of xanthan gum powder. Specifically, at a hot air temperature of 75 ° C., 140 mL of water (ion-exchanged water) is sprayed at a speed of 10 mL / min and a spray air flow rate of 35 NL / mL with respect to 400 g of xanthan gum powder, and dried for 5 minutes after the spraying is completed. It was.
The obtained xanthan gum granules are sieved, and the xanthan gum primary granules (bulk specific gravity of 0) used in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 are 100 mesh-on (150 μm to less than 1000 μm) xanthan gum granules in 16 mesh pass. .25 g / ml). In Example 1-4, xanthan gum granules having a bulk specific gravity of 0.43 g / ml were used as a xanthan gum raw material used during secondary granulation.

Subsequently, the thickener of Example 1-1-Example 1-4 was prepared using the obtained xanthan gum primary granulated material. Specifically, according to the formulation shown in Table 1, xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) and dextrin powder were powder-mixed, and fluidized-bed granulation was performed using 140 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of the mixture. (Example 1-1 to Example 1-4).
Comparative Example 1-4 is a granule obtained by granulating xanthan gum powder, but using a xanthan gum granule having a bulk specific gravity of 0.46 g / ml as a raw material under the same conditions as Example 1-1 to Example 1-4. It was prepared by performing granulation (secondary granulation).

The dispersibility and viscosity development of the thickeners of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-4 obtained were tested.
(Dispersibility: Confirmation of anti-dama effect)
100 g of ion-exchanged water was prepared in a 200 mL beaker, and 2 g of the thickeners of Example 1-1 to Example 1-4 and Comparative Example 1-1 to Comparative Example 1-4 were added together. After adding a thickener and allowing to stand for 3 seconds, the mixture was stirred by hand using a spatula for 30 seconds (4 rotations / second), and the state of the solution after stirring was observed. Table 3 and FIGS. 1 to 6 show the state of lumps after stirring. Dama was evaluated according to the criteria in Table 2.

  From Table 3 and FIGS. 1 and 4, the thickeners of Example 1-1 and Comparative Example 1-1 are free of lumps even though the compositions (xanthan gum and dextrin content) in the thickener are the same. The situation was very different. Specifically, the thickener of Comparative Example 1-1 generated many lumps having a small to medium size, whereas the thickener of Example 1-1 generated lumps. I did not. In addition, the dispersibility evaluation method in Experimental Example 1 is performed under severe conditions in which a standing time is allowed for 3 seconds after the thickener is added. Xanthan gum is known to have the property of being extremely damaging among thickening polysaccharides, and in a normal use form, it is common to add the solution while stirring without standing. The thickener of the present invention can remarkably suppress the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps even under harsh conditions such as providing a standing time after batch addition in addition to weak stirring conditions such as manual stirring. I can see it.

  Examples 1-2 and 1-4 and Comparative Example 1-2 are cases where the content of xanthan gum in the thickening agent was increased to 40% by mass, respectively. Comparing Comparative Example 1-1 and Comparative Example 1-2, by increasing the xanthan gum content from 30% by mass to 40% by mass, the size of the lumps increases, and even large lumps of about 8 mm are generated. (FIG. 5). In such a state, it no longer functions as a thickener. On the other hand, the thickeners of Examples 1-2 and 1-4 were those in which the xanthan gum content was increased to 40% by mass in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1-2, but no lumps occurred (FIG. 2). (Example 1-2)).

  Example 1-3 and Comparative Example 1-3 are the results of further increasing the xanthan gum content in the thickener to 50% by mass. By increasing the xanthan gum content to 50% by mass, when the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-3 was used, the occurrence of lumps was remarkable, and lumps were further enlarged compared to Comparative Example 1-2 ( FIG. 6). On the other hand, the thickener (Example 1-3) of the present invention does not generate lumps even though the xanthan gum content is increased to 50% by mass (FIG. 3), and has an extremely excellent thickening. It was an agent. From the above results, the thickener of the present invention is a thickener that is extremely excellent in dispersibility (damage generation suppression), and has a xanthan gum content as compared with a conventional thickener. It can be seen that a high titer type thickening agent can be provided.

  All of the products of the present invention (Examples 1-1 to 1-4) use a xanthan gum primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less as a secondary granulated xanthan gum raw material. On the other hand, the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-4 uses xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) having a bulk specific gravity of 0.46 g / ml as a raw material for secondary granulation. The thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-4 had the property of being excellent in dispersibility without generation of lumps. However, the viscosity development property described later was extremely low, and the value as a thickening agent was low.

(Viscosity expression)
Prepare 100 g of ion-exchanged water in a 200 mL beaker, add 2 g each of the thickeners of Examples 1-1 to 1-4 and Comparative Examples 1-1 to 1-4 with stirring, and use a spatula to add 30 Stirring was continued for 4 seconds (4 revolutions / second). The change with time in viscosity after adding the thickener was measured. The viscosity was measured using a B-type rotational viscometer under the condition of a rotational speed of 12 rpm. The results are shown in Table 4. Moreover, the viscosity expression property of Example 1-2, 1-4 and Comparative Example 1-4 whose xanthan gum content is the same quantity (40%) is shown in FIG.

Example 1-1 and Comparative Example 1-1 (xanthan gum content 30%), and Examples 1-2, 1-4, and Comparative Examples having the same thickener composition (mixing ratio of xanthan gum and dextrin) When 1-2 (xanthan gum content 40%) was compared with each other, the thickeners of the present invention (Examples 1-1, 1-2, and 1-4) were remarkably suppressed in the occurrence of lumps (dams) None), however, the viscosity development was not delayed, but rather showed better viscosity development than Comparative Examples 1-1 and 1-2. The thickening agent of Example 1-3 also had rapid viscosity development without delaying the viscosity development, although the occurrence of lumps was remarkably suppressed (no lumps).
As described above, the thickeners of the present invention (Examples 1-1 to 1-4) are thickened with excellent practicality, which has both the effect of suppressing lumps of xanthan gum and good viscosity development. It was an agent.

  The thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-4 in which the bulk specific gravity of the primary granulated xanthan gum used as the raw material for secondary granulation is 0.46 g / ml is extremely viscous. It was late and the product value was low. Specifically, Example 1-2 (bulk specific gravity 0.25 g / ml) having the same xanthane gum content as the thickening agent of Comparative Example 1-4 had a viscosity of 2,380 mPa · s at 0 minutes. On the other hand, the viscosity at 0 minutes exhibited by the thickener of Comparative Example 1-4 was 280 mPa · s, and it took 30 minutes to develop a viscosity of about 2,000 mPa · s. Similarly, even when compared with the viscosity at 0 minutes (2,540 mPa · s) exhibited by the thickener of Example 1-4 in which the bulk specific gravity of primary granulated xanthan gum is 0.43 g / ml. It was found that when the bulk specific gravity of the primary granulated xanthan gum exceeds 0.45 g / ml, the viscosity expression is extremely reduced.

  On the other hand, with respect to 400 g of the powder mixture containing 40 parts of xanthan gum powder and 60 parts of dextrin powder, granulation was attempted using 280 g of water as a binder (140 g of binder liquid used during primary granulation in Example 1-2). And the total amount of 140 g of the binder liquid used in the secondary granulation), a flocking phenomenon occurred, and granulation itself could not be performed. As described above, the present invention is an effect produced by going through a two-step granulation process.

Experimental Example 2 Viscosity Development in Orange Juice and Isotonic Beverage Using the thickeners of Example 1-2 and Comparative Example 1-4 prepared in Experimental Example 1, viscosity expression in orange juice and isotonic beverage was tested. did.
Specifically, 100 g of each solvent (Orange Juice (Morinaga Milk Co., Ltd. “Sanquist (R) 100% Orange”) and Isotonic Beverage (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. “Pocari Sweat”)) was prepared in a 200 mL beaker. The thickening agents of 1-2 and Comparative Example 1-4 were added while stirring 2 g each, and stirring was continued for 30 seconds using a spatula (4 rotations / second). The change with time in viscosity after adding the thickener was measured. The viscosity was measured using a B-type rotational viscometer under the condition of a rotational speed of 12 rpm. The results are shown in Table 5.

  As a xanthan gum raw material used for secondary granulation, the thickener of Comparative Example 1-4 using xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) having a bulk specific gravity of 0.46 g / ml is used for orange juice and isotonic beverages. In contrast, the thickening agent of Example 1-2 was prepared by secondary granulation of xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) having a bulk specific gravity of 0.25 g / ml, while the viscosity expression was extremely reduced. Also showed high viscosity expression for orange juice and isotonic beverages.

Experimental Example 3 Thickener with High Xanthan Gum Content According to the formulation shown in Table 6, thickeners of Example 3-1 and Comparative Example 3-1 were prepared. Specifically, Comparative Example 3-1 prepared a powder mixture of xanthan gum powder and dextrin powder at a ratio of 80 parts by weight of xanthan gum powder and 20 parts by weight of dextrin powder, and added 140 g of water to the powder mixture as a binder. It was prepared by performing fluidized bed granulation as a liquid.
In Example 3-1, a primary granulated product of xanthan gum was prepared in advance and adjusted through a two-stage granulation process.

(Primary granulated product of xanthan gum used in Example 3-1)
Fluidized bed granulation was performed using 400 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of xanthan gum powder. The obtained xanthan gum granules were sieved, and 100 mesh-on (150 μm or more and less than 1000 μm) xanthan gum granules in 16 mesh pass were used as the xanthan gum primary granules used in Example 3-1.

  Next, xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) and dextrin powder were mixed at a ratio of 80 parts by mass of xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) and 20 parts by mass of dextrin, and 140 g of water was added to 400 g of the mixture. Was used as a binder liquid and fluidized bed granulation was performed to prepare the thickener of Example 3-1.

  The obtained thickener of Example 3-1 was a thickener having a xanthan gum content increased to 80 mass% and a considerably high content, but the occurrence of lumps compared to Comparative Example 3-1. It was suppressed. Furthermore, the viscosity expression was improved as compared with Comparative Example 3-1, and it was an excellent thickening agent having rapid viscosity expression.

Experimental Example 4 Excipient Form According to the formulation in Table 7, a thickener containing xanthan gum was prepared. In Experimental Example 4, the test was conducted by paying attention to the shape (powder, granule) of the excipient used during secondary granulation. Specifically, Example 4-1 and Comparative Example 4-1 use powdered dextrin as an excipient, Example 4-2 and Comparative Example 4-2 use granular dextrin, and xanthan gum. A thickener containing was prepared. Example 4-1 and Example 4-2 are comparative examples in which 40 parts by mass of primary granulated product (xanthan gum granules) having a bulk specific gravity of 0.25 g / ml and 60 parts by mass of dextrin (excipient) are mixed. In 4-1 and Comparative Example 4-2, 40 parts by mass of xanthan gum powder and 60 parts by mass of dextrin (excipient) were mixed to obtain a powder mixture. By performing fluidized bed granulation using 140 g of water as a binder liquid for 400 g of each obtained powder mixture, Examples 4-1 to 4-2 and Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-2 A thickener was prepared.

  About the obtained thickener (Examples 4-1 to 4-2, Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-2), dispersibility and viscosity development were tested using the same method as in Experimental Example 1. Specifically, 100 g of ion-exchanged water was prepared in a 200 mL beaker, and 2 g of the thickeners of Examples 4-1 to 4-2 and Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-2 were added all at once. After adding a thickener and allowing to stand for 3 seconds, the mixture was stirred for 30 seconds by hand with a spatula (4 rotations / second), and the state of the solution after stirring was observed (dispersibility test). In the viscosity development test, 100 g of ion-exchanged water was prepared in a 200 mL beaker, and 2 g of the thickeners of Examples 4-1 to 4-2 and Comparative Examples 4-1 to 4-2 were added with stirring. Stirring was continued for 30 seconds using a spatula (4 rotations / second), and the change with time in viscosity after the addition of the thickener was measured. The results are shown in Table 8.

  The effects of the present invention were obtained regardless of whether the dextrin used during secondary granulation had a powder or granule shape. Specifically, Example 4-1 and Comparative Example 4-1 both use powdered dextrin as dextrin, and xanthan gum primary granulated product having a bulk specific gravity of 0.25 g / ml (Example 4-1). ) Or a powdery xanthan gum (Comparative Example 4-1). Comparing the two, the dispersibility is further improved by using a xanthan gum primary granulated material having a bulk specific gravity of 0.25 g / ml as a raw material at the time of secondary granulation, compared to the case of using powdery xanthan gum. Moreover, the viscosity expression was also improved. Similarly, Example 4-2 and Comparative Example 4-2 are both thickeners prepared using granular dextrin as an excipient, but as xanthan gum, a primary xanthan gum having a bulk specific gravity of 0.25 g / ml. By using the granulated product (Example 4-2), generation of lumps was suppressed more than the thickening agent of Comparative Example 4-2 prepared using powdery xanthan gum, and the viscosity development was also marked. And improved. From the above, it was found that dextrin used as an excipient can achieve the same effect in both powder and granule forms.

Experimental Example 5 A thickener containing xanthan gum was prepared according to the formulation of the raw material blending table 9 in each granulation stage (Example 5-1). Example 5-1 was prepared using dextrin together during primary granulation. Specifically, 50 parts by mass of powdery xanthan gum and 50 parts by mass of dextrin were mixed, and fluidized bed granulation was performed using 140 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of the powder mixture. Next, 80 parts by mass of the obtained primary granulated product (xanthan gum: dextrin = 1: 1) and 20 parts by mass of dextrin were mixed with powder, and fluidized bed granulation (2 parts) using 140 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of the powder mixture. (Next granulation) was performed (Example 5-1).

About the obtained thickener (Example 5-1), the dispersibility and the viscosity expression property were tested using the same method as Experimental Example 1. The thickener of Example 5-1 was able to easily impart viscosity to ion-exchanged water while suppressing the occurrence of lumps. Specifically, the thickener of Comparative Example 4-2 obtained by granulating powdery xanthan gum and powdered dextrin (the blending amounts of xanthan gum and dextrin in the final thickener are the same) As compared with, the lumps were significantly suppressed and the viscosity development was also good.
In addition, the thickener of Example 4-1 prepared using a primary granulated product having a xanthan gum content of 100% as a raw material at the time of secondary granulation (the blending amounts of xanthan gum and dextrin in the final thickener are the same) When compared with the thickener of Example 4-1, the occurrence of lumps was more significantly suppressed as compared with the thickener of Example 5-1. From the above, it is presumed that it is desirable to use a primary granulated product having a high xanthan gum content as a raw material for the secondary granulated product.

Experimental Example 6 Viscosity Development for Tea The viscosity development of tea with the thickener of Example 1-2 (40% by mass of xanthan gum and 60% by mass of dextrin) prepared in Experimental Example 1 was tested. The viscosity development test was performed according to the method disclosed in Experimental Example 1. The results are shown in Table 10.

  From Table 10, it turned out that the thickener (Example 1-2) which is a product of this invention shows high viscosity expression with respect to tea.

Experimental Example 7 Thickener using Guar Gum Thickener using xanthan gum and guar gum was prepared according to the formulation in Table 11.
(Example 7-1)
To the primary granulated product of xanthan gum, guar gum (powder) and excipients were added and subjected to secondary granulation to prepare a thickener. Specifically, 36 parts by mass of the primary granulated product of xanthan gum (bulk specific gravity 0.25 g / ml) used in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 of Experimental Example 1, 4 parts by mass of guar gum (powder), and Fluidized bed granulation (secondary granulation) is carried out using 400 g of water as a binder liquid for 400 g of a powder mixture obtained by mixing 60 parts by mass of dextrin (powder) to prepare a thickener of Example 7-1. did.
(Example 7-2)
After primary granulation of a powder mixture containing xanthan gum and guar gum, an excipient was added and secondary granulation was performed to prepare a thickener. Specifically, fluidized bed granulation was performed using 140 g of water as a binder liquid for 400 g of a powder mixture obtained by powder mixing 90 parts by weight of powdery xanthan gum and 10 parts by weight of powdered guar gum. Next, fluidized bed granulation using 140 g of water as a binder liquid to 400 g of a powder mixture obtained by powder mixing 40 parts by mass of the primary granulated product (xanthan gum: guar gum = 9: 1) and 60 parts by mass of dextrin (powder). (Secondary granulation) was performed to prepare the thickener of Example 7-2.
(Example 7-3)
An excipient was added to the mixture of xanthan gum granules (primary granulated product) and guar gum granules (primary granulated product) to perform secondary granulation to prepare a thickener. Specifically, 36 parts by mass of the xanthan gum primary granulated product (bulk specific gravity 0.25 g / ml) used in Examples 1-1 to 1-3 of Experimental Example 1 and the guar gum primary granulated product (bulk specific gravity 0. 0). 25 g / ml) 4 parts by mass and dextrin (powder) 60 parts by mass of powder mixture 400 g of the powder mixture was subjected to fluidized bed granulation using 140 g of water as a binder liquid to increase the viscosity of Example 7-3 An agent was prepared.
Guar gum primary granulation was prepared according to the following method.
(Preparation of guar gum primary granulated product used in Example 7-3)
Fluidized bed granulation was performed using 140 g of water as a binder liquid with respect to 400 g of guar gum powder. Specifically, at a hot air temperature of 75 ° C., 140 mL of water (ion-exchanged water) is sprayed at a speed of 10 mL / min and a spray air flow rate of 35 NL / mL with respect to 400 g of guar gum powder, and dried for 5 minutes after the spraying is completed. It was.
The obtained guar gum granules were sieved, and 100 mesh-on (150 μm or more and less than 1000 μm) guar gum granules in 16 mesh pass were used as the guar gum primary granulated product (bulk specific gravity 0.25 g / ml) used in Example 7-3. did.
(Comparative Example 7-1)
A powder mixture of powdered xanthan gum, powdered guar gum and excipient was primarily granulated to obtain a thickener. Specifically, fluidized bed granulation was performed using 400 g of water as a binder liquid for 400 g of a powder mixture of powdered xanthan gum, powdered guar gum and powdered dextrin, and a thickening agent of Comparative Example 7-1 was prepared. (Primary granulation only).

About the obtained thickener (Examples 7-1 to 7-3, comparative example 7-1), the dispersibility and the viscosity expression property were tested using the same method as Experimental example 1. Specifically, 100 g of ion-exchanged water was prepared in a 200 mL beaker, and 2 g of each of the thickeners of Examples 7-1 to 7-3 and Comparative Example 7-1 was added all at once. After adding a thickener and allowing to stand for 3 seconds, the mixture was stirred for 30 seconds by hand with a spatula (4 rotations / second), and the state of the solution after stirring was observed (dispersibility test).
In the viscosity expression test, 100 g of ion-exchanged water was prepared in a 200 mL beaker, and 2 g each of the thickeners of Examples 7-1 to 7-3 and Comparative Example 7-1 were added with stirring, and a spatula was added. The mixture was continuously stirred for 30 seconds (4 rotations / second), and the change with time in viscosity after the addition of the thickener was measured. The results are shown in Table 12.

The effects of the present invention were obtained with the thickeners of Examples 7-1 to 7-3 using both xanthan gum and guar gum regardless of the addition time of guar gum. Specifically, Example 7-1 and Example 7-3 use guar gum together when secondary granulating the primary granulated product of xanthan gum, and Example 7-2 is the primary construction of xanthan gum. Guar gum is used in combination with the secondary granulation of the granule, but in any case, compared with the thickener of Comparative Example 7-1 prepared without going through the secondary granulation step. In addition, the dispersibility was improved and the viscosity was excellent.
From the above, the effect of the present invention is an effect obtained by secondary granulation after adding an excipient to a primary granulated product containing xanthan gum and having a bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml or less. It turned out that it does not ask | require the addition time and form of a thickener to do.

Claims (5)

  After adding at least one excipient selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide to primary granulated granulated powdery xanthan gum having at least one bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml A thickener containing a secondary granulated product obtained by granulation.   The thickener according to claim 1, wherein the granulation method of the primary granulated product and the secondary granulated product is fluidized bed granulation.   The thickener of Claim 1 or 2 whose content of a xanthan gum is 35 mass% or more.   The thickener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein no excipient is used during the production of the primary granulated product. After adding at least one excipient selected from dextrin, starch and saccharide to primary granulated granulated powdery xanthan gum having at least one bulk specific gravity of 0.45 g / ml A method for suppressing the occurrence of xanthan gum lumps, characterized by granulating.

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