Nabisco, Inc.

Susan Saunders

Louise Slade

Harry Levine

Henry E Arciszewski

Stuart Craig

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.

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Randolph, NJ, United States of America

Susan Saunders