San-ei Gen F.f.i., Inc.

Phillip Hydro Colloids Research Limited

Tsuyoshi Katayama

Yasushi Sasaki

Makoto Sakata

Takeshi Ogasawara

Saphwan Al-Assaf

Glyn Owen Phillips

The invention provides a method for efficiently improving emulsifying ability of gum arabic, in other words, a method for producing gum arabic with excellent emulsifying ability. Further, the present invention provides a method by which a gum arabic modified so as to have a high emulsifying ability can be obtained without involving the problem of forming syrupy masses or sticking to the vessel or the trouble of excessive dehydration or charring. The above-described methods can be carried out by heating gum arabic (unmodified) under dry conditions. Preferably, the method is carried out by heating gum arabic in such a manner that the loss-on-drying is not more than 3%.

Process for producing modified gum arabic

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for enhancing the emulsification ability of gum arabic. The present invention can provide a modified gum arabic having an excellent emulsification ability without coloration and/or unpleasant odor, by a method which has a step of making unheated gum arabic into an aqueous solution having a concentration of not higher than 50 mass %, and a step of maintaining the aqueous solution below 60&#xb0; C. for at least 6 hours. The gum arabic modified by the method of the present invention can be used as an emulsifier for use with beverages, confectioneries, chewing gums, oil-soluble flavors, oil-soluble colors, oil-soluble vitamins, etc.

Method of modifying gum arabic, modified gum arabic obtained by the method, and use thereof

The present invention provides a water-soluble modified gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 0.9 million and arabinogalactan protein not less than 17% by weight obtained by heating Acacia Senegal gum arabic and modified water-soluble gum arabic with a weight average molecular weight not less than 2.5 million and with protein containing high molecular weight components of not less than 25% by weight. Moreover, the present invention provides modified gum arabic with standardized and predictable molecular properties and methods for providing the modified gum arabic endowed with high emulsification efficiency and stability and for uniforming natural variations in unmodified gum arabic. The present invention changes the natural protein distribution of gum arabic, and increases AGP content.

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Toyonaka, Japan

Tsuyoshi Katayama