Nabisco Brands, Inc.

Nabisco, Inc.

Henry E Arciszewski

Bin Y Chiang

Linda A Porzio

Clyde E Spotts, Jr

Joseph A Szwerc

Kevin McHugh

Louise Slade

Harry Levine

Stuart Craig

John W Finley

Peter S Given, Jr

Patricia Verduin

Richard H Biggs

Meade C Harris, Jr

Susan Saunders

David W Miller

Low moisture content comestibles having reduced water regain or increased tolerance to moisture are produced by enzymatically treating a farinaceous material with an enzyme composition comprising pentosanase or beta-glucanase, or mixtures thereof to reduce its net-work forming swellable water-soluble hemicellulose content. The hydrolysis of the water-soluble pentosans, beta-glucans or mixtures thereof is conducted so that a substantial portion of the hydrolysis product has a linear or backbone degree of polymerization of less than about 100, more suitably less than about 75, preferably less than about 50, most preferably less than 17. In addition, the hydrolysis is conducted so as to minimize the production of mono and/or di-saccharides. The low moisture content comestible products include low moisture content baked good such as cookies, crackers, and biscuits, farinaceous pet snacks, plant protein extracts, hot cereals, ready-to-eat cereals, low calorie flours and low calorie flour fractions. The enzyme compositions which are used are preferably substantially completely free of proteases and amylases so as to avoid reducing the functionality of proteins and starch, respectively. The comestible products have a moisture content of less than about 20 percent by weight. Hemicellulose hydrolyzates may also be produced for incorporation into comestibles.

Reducing checking in crackers with pentosanase

Enzyme treated low moisture content comestible products

Sucrose-free or -reduced cookies having the crispy texture associated with conventional sucrose-containing doughs can be prepared by replacing part or all of the sucrose with a combination of a glass-forming polysaccharide (preferably a maltodextrin) and a humectant sugar (preferably fructose). Multi-textured cookied can be prepared using the combination of glass-forming polysaccharide and humectant sugar in the crispy outer layer, and a humectant sugar as the sweetening agent in the soft, chewy center.

Cookies with reduced sucrose content and doughs for production thereof

Low sodium baked goods, such as soda crackers, oyster crackers, pretzels, and flavored snack crackers, having a substantially uniform texture and pH throughout, a substantially uniform surface color, a pleasant mouth feel and taste are obtained by the process of the present invention. The sodium content of the baked goods is reduced, for example, to less than or equal to 42 mg Na.sup.+ per 14.2 gm serving, by replacing at least a part, preferably all, of the sodium bicarbonate with potassium carbonate for leavening. Hot spots resulting from localized concentrations of potassium ion are avoided by: 1) applying the potassium carbonate substantially uniformly and directly upon the surface of the other ingredients to hydrate and solubilize the potassium carbonate and/or 2) using potassium carbonate having a particle size distribution of about 98% by weight being finer than 100 mesh or 3) using an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate. A preferred leavening agent for use in preparing low-sodium unfermented crackers uses a mixture of 1.3 to 8 parts of ammonium carbonate and one part by weight of potassium carbonate.

Process for making low sodium crackers and products obtained thereby

A cake mix for making a low sodium cake, which has good volume, fine texture, good flavor, pleasant mouth feel and uniform color. A nonshortening portion and a shortening portion are combined with a baking powder portion that has balanced amounts of potassium carbonate and monocalcium phosphate to produce a final cake batter. The final cake batter is baked to produce a cake having a final pH of about 6.8 to 7.5 and having a sodium content of less than 35 mgs per serving.

Low sodium cake mix and process of preparing low sodium cake

A leavening composition for chemically leavening crackers is disclosed, which composition comprises ammonium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and an edible acidic component.

Leavening composition for crackers

A confectionary bar is disclosed that contains a natural fruit center which is encapsulated in a layer of caramel. This caramel layer has an embedded layer of nuts. This combination of a natural fruit center encapsulated in caramel having embedded nuts is then enrobed in a compound coating, usually a chocolate-flavored compound coating. The confectionery bar should have a water activity level of less than about 0.50 at 25.degree. C. The natural fruit portion of the confectionery bar should have a water activity level of less than 0.65 at 25.degree. C.

Fruit-containing confectionery bar

Low sodium baked crackers having a substantially uniform texture and pH throughout, a substantially uniform surface color, a pleasant mouth feel and taste are obtained by the process of the present invention. The sodium content of the baked goods is reduced, for example, to less than or equal to 42 mg Na.sup.+ per 14.2 gm serving, by replacing at least a part, preferably all, of the sodium bicarbonate with potassium carbonate for leavening. Hot spots resulting from localized concentrations of potassium ion are avoided by: (1) applying the potassium carbonate substantially uniformly and directly upon the surface of the other ingredients to hydrate and solubilize the potassium carbonate and/or (2) using potassium carbonate having a particle size distribution of about 98% by weight being finer than 100 mesh or (3) using an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate. A preferred leavening agent for use in preparing low-sodium unfermented crackers uses a mixture of 1.3 to 8 parts of ammonium carbonate and one part by weight of potassium carbonate.

Process for making low sodium baked crackers

A process for forming sweet goods doughs for producing nonperishable sweet goods such as cookies and graham crackers. The water and the water soluble ingredients of the dough, including sugars and sweeteners, are mixed to substantially saturate the water. The insoluble ingredients (which includes flour and emulsified shortening) and any high protein ingredients together with leavening and flavors, are then combined with the premixed sugars and water and mixed until uniform distribution of the ingredients through the dough is just achieved. The dough is formed into pieces in as short a period of time as practical, and the pieces are baked. Protein fortified baked sweet goods containing up to 33 percent by weight protein and having a tender open structure are produced from doughs having a moisture content of only between 6% and 14% by weight.

Sweet goods dough forming processes

An improved consistometer has a vertically-movable rod for imparting a precisely-measurable amount of energy on initial impact to a dough sample. Simultaneously, a precise measurement of vertical drop is obtained from a cooperating dial displacement indicator. The dial indicator has a vertical arm which is displaced by a horizontal disk fixed to the rod. A collar retains the rod in a first position; removal of the collar permits the rod to drop. After initial impact, further displacement of the rod is measured over a fixed time interval. Comparison of displacement of various dough samples thus indicates their relative consistencies. The rod has interchangeable penetrating rod end elements, to accommodate various types of dough.

Growing community of inventors

Franklin Lakes, NJ, United States of America

Henry E Arciszewski