EA044879B1 - COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING GLUCOSE AND HEMICELLULOSE AND THEIR APPLICATION - Google Patents

Description

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 62/669684, filed May 10, 2018. The contents of the prior application are considered part of the specification of this application, and are incorporated in this application in their entirety.

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present invention relates to compositions containing glucose and hemicellulose and their use, in particular as a food ingredient or as sweeteners or additives for products for internal use.

State of the art

Additives and sweeteners are used in the preparation of foods and beverages and in other applications such as pharmaceuticals and food additives. Many of the sweeteners used in the preparation of such products come from natural sources. These natural sugars and their precursors can be selected and combined to impart desired properties to a particular product. For example, sugar produced by hydrolysis of corn starch is typically used in the food and beverage industry to impart a sweet taste, but it can also impart other properties to the food or beverage such as volume and texture.

The conversion of starch to sugar is typically based on enzyme-catalyzed reactions, which may include hydrolysis of starch to glucose and isomerization of glucose to fructose. Through these methods, both glucose and fructose, components of sucrose, can be obtained from starch. By modifying the degree of processing in these reactions, syrups of varying viscosity and sweetness, as well as other functional specifications, can be produced from starch. Syrups can also be concentrated or crystallized to produce dry additive products. The resulting sweeteners can be classified in various ways, for example by measuring dextrose equivalent (DE). Dextrose equivalent (DE) is a measure of the amount of reducing sugars present in a sugar product attributable to dextrose, expressed as a percentage on a dry matter basis.

Glucose syrup-based sweeteners with various DEs are commercially available, including syrups with DE 42 and DE 63. These sweeteners are used in a wide range of industrial products based on the uniform chemical and physical properties, such as sweetness and viscosity, provided by the sweeteners. Replacing these sweeteners in commercial manufactured products can be difficult because, in addition to providing sweet taste, these sweeteners may also provide bulk, viscosity and other product properties. Lower DE syrups can be produced by incomplete or partial hydrolysis of starch to produce mixtures of starch and glucose. The degree of hydrolysis can be controlled to produce a product having a specific DE for a specific application.

High-potency sweeteners have undergone intensive research for use in reduced-calorie foods and beverages. There are many challenges faced when developing such products, including health and safety concerns or off-flavors such as metallic or overly sweet tastes. Another difficulty encountered in the preparation of high potency sweeteners is that these products typically have very different properties in terms of volume and viscosity compared to sugar compositions having equivalent sweetness. These differences can be problematic when attempting to incorporate high potency sweeteners into existing recipes or products, as the texture of the product may be significantly altered even though the same degree of sweetness is achieved.

Prebiotic fiber is the indigestible portion of foods that passes through the small intestine undigested and undergoes fermentation when it reaches the colon. The fermentation process feeds colonies of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract and can help increase the number of desirable bacteria in the digestive system, which can reduce the risk of specific diseases and improve overall health. Fiber syrups derived from plant sources can provide prebiotic fiber. Fiber syrups may include isomalto-oligosaccharides, protected starches, polydextrose, beta-glucan and/or other types of soluble fiber. Fiber syrups may also include natural sweeteners or added sweeteners. Fiber syrups can be used to add bulk to reduced-calorie foods because long-chain fibers are not easily digested and pass through the intestines. Soluble fiber in the diet can improve digestion by drawing water into the intestines. It may also create a feeling of fullness and prevent the release of glucose and insulin into the blood, thereby reducing hunger and reducing or preventing the consumption of inappropriate foods or inappropriate quantities of foods.

Considerable research and development has been focused on the production of sugars such as glucose from cellulosic biomass. A number of different methods for converting cellulosic biomass into carbon dioxide

- 1,044,879 chars are known in the field. They typically include a pretreatment step, where the cellulosic biomass is physically and/or chemically altered to reveal the structure of the polymeric sugars contained in the cellulosic biomass, and an enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis step, where the polymeric sugars are broken down into monomeric sugars.

Foods and drinks with a lower glycemic index may provide health benefits in managing blood sugar and insulin levels, which may in turn reduce the risk of heart disease and/or diabetes. Foods that have a lower glycemic index can also be used to control appetite and weight loss. Foods containing soluble fiber may help reduce total cholesterol levels and may reduce the risk of heart disease.

There is a need for alternative sweetening products or food ingredients that have a reduced calorie content and/or a lower glycemic index and still provide similar volume and/or viscosity properties at the same level of sweetness as sugar or corn syrup.

There is also a need for alternative sweetening products that include soluble fiber and/or components that can act as prebiotics.

The essence of the invention

It has been found that it is possible to prepare a sweetener composition containing glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan. In addition, it has been discovered that these compositions can be prepared in various ratios to produce compositions having different sweetness and viscosity or bulking properties.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a sweetener composition containing: from about 40% to about 60% by weight of glucose dry matter; and from 40% to 60% by weight of dry matter of purified hemicellulose, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains:

from 82% to 87% by weight of xylan dry matter;

from 8% to 9% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter; and 4% to 5% xylose dry matter by weight.

In a preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition contains from 45% to 55% by weight of glucose dry matter.

More preferably, the sweetener composition contains purified hemicellulose that contains from 85% to 87% xylan dry matter by weight.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition contains purified hemicellulose that contains from 85% to 87% by weight dry matter xylan, wherein the xylan contains from 90% to 99% by weight dry matter arabinoxylan.

In the most preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition has a dextrose equivalent (DE) of from about 35 to about 75.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition has a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 42, 53 or 63.

In the most preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of from about 35 to about 50.

In a more preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition provides from about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the sweetener composition has a viscosity of from about 2700 to about 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C.

In a further aspect, the ratio of glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan can be varied to produce compositions having varying degrees of sweetness and viscosity or bulking properties. In a particular embodiment, these characteristics can be selected to mimic existing commercially available sweeteners, such as those derived from starch.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a sweetener composition comprising:

from about 48% to about 53% by weight of dextrose dry matter;

from about 41% to about 45% by weight of xylan dry matter;

from about 4% to about 5% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharides dry matter; and from about 2% to about 2.5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

Preferably, the sweetener composition contains purified hemicellulose that has a molecular weight (Mw) of less than 4000 Da.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for producing a sweetener composition, which includes producing glucose; obtaining purified hemicellulose; and combining glucose and purified hemicellulose to form a sweetener composition.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, 1-1.5 parts by weight of dry matter of glucose are combined with 1 part by weight of dry matter of purified hemicellulose.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a sweetener composition as described above as an additive to a pharmaceutical composition or dietary supplement.

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In another aspect, the present invention relates to a food product containing a sweetener composition.

Description of the figures

In fig. 1 shows an illustrative diagram of processing lignocellulosic biomass, in accordance with some embodiments.

In fig. 2 shows a cherry pie filling prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and a control cherry pie filling (Control).

In fig. 3 shows a cherry pie prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and a control cherry pie (Control).

In fig. 4 shows nutritional information for cherry pie filling prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and for a control cherry pie filling (Control).

In fig. 5 shows nutritional information for yogurt prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and for a control yogurt (Control).

In fig. 6 shows a cookie prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and a control cookie (Control).

In fig. 7 shows a batch of cookies prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and a control batch of cookies (Control).

In fig. 8 shows the nutritional value for cookies prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and for a control cookie (Control).

In fig. 9 shows toffees prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and control toffees (Control).

In fig. 10 shows nutritional information for gummy toffees prepared with two exemplary sweetener compositions, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet and Comet 63DE and 42DE), and for control gummy toffees (Control).

In fig. 11 shows cereal bars prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and control cereal bars (Control).

In fig. 12 shows nutritional information for a cereal bar prepared with an exemplary sweetener composition, in accordance with some embodiments (Comet), and for a control cereal bar (Control).

Detailed description

As used herein, the term lignocellulosic biomass refers to dry plant material consisting of the carbohydrate polymers cellulose, hemicellulose and the aromatic polymer lignin. It can be obtained from natural plants such as trees, shrubs and grass, or from biomass waste obtained as a by-product of various industries such as agriculture (corn stover, sugar cane bagasse, straw, etc.) and forestry. industry (waste from sawmills and pulp and paper mills). The terms cellulosic biomass, lignocellulose and biomass may also be used herein as short forms of the term lignocellulosic biomass.

As used herein, the term carbohydrate component of lignocellulosic biomass refers to the carbohydrate polymers cellulose and hemicellulose obtained from lignocellulosic biomass.

As used herein, the term cellulose refers to a polysaccharide polymer consisting of linear chains of D-glucose, typically derived from plant material.

As used herein, the term hemicellulose refers to polysaccharide heteropolymers such as xylan (eg glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan and xyloglucan) and glucomannan. Hemicellulose, like cellulose, is also obtained from plant material.

It is clear that arabinoxylan is a type of hemicellulose. Typically, an arabinoxylan has a xylose backbone (eg, 1,4-linked xylose) covalently linked to one or more arabinose units (eg, through a 2,3-linkage). It is understood that arabinoxylan can be further associated with other sugars such as glucose, galactose and maltose. In some cases, arabinoxylan may be additionally covalently linked to one or more polyphenols. In some embodiments, the polyphenol units may include ferulic acid, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, sinapic acid, rosmarinic acid, vanillin, epigallocatechin gallate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polyphenols may be covalently linked to arabinoxylan,

- 3 044879 may be free polyphenols or may be a combination thereof. In some cases, the polyphenol units may be free units. In some embodiments, the polyphenols may be predominantly associated with arabinoxylan.

As used herein, the term purified hemicellulose refers to hemicellulose that has been purified by one or more chemical or physical purification methods, including one or more of hydrolysis, extraction, membrane separation, carbon treatment or ion exchange, chromatographic separation, and precipitation. The term purified hemicellulose is not intended to indicate that the hemicellulose is necessarily absolutely pure, but simply that it is purer than hemicellulose that has not been purified through one or more chemical or physical purification processes. The hydrolysis may be chemical hydrolysis, for example by acid or steam, or enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis. Hydrolysis may be partial or complete. The extraction can be carried out using water or various other known solvents. Likewise, other separation and purification methods can be carried out under various conditions known in the art. Purification methods can also be used to remove some or all of the organic acids, inorganics, pretreatment inhibitors, lignin, and downstream degradation products.

As used herein, the term xylooligosaccharide or xylooligsaccharide or XOS refers to polysaccharides having 2-10 xylose units.

For the purposes of the invention, the term xylan refers to polysaccharides having >10 xylose units. It is understood that xylan includes glucuronoxylan (GX), arabinoxylan (AX) and glucoarabinoxylan (GAX).

As used herein, the term dextrose equivalent or DE is a measure of the amount of reducing sugar present in a sugar product, expressed as a percentage on a dry weight basis, relative to dextrose. DE can be measured by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, DE can be measured using the Lein-Eynon method. In some embodiments, DE can be determined using osmometry.

The dietary supplement may include medical products, natural health products, nutraceuticals, vitamins, minerals, protein nutritional supplements, and the like. In some cases, a dietary supplement may be designated by a regulatory agency (eg, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) under applicable regulations (eg, 21 U.S.C. § 321).

As used herein, a food product is a material used for human or animal food or beverage, chewing gum, or materials used for components thereof (see, for example, 21 U.S.C. § 321). In some embodiments, the food product may be a food (eg, a solid food product). For example, in some embodiments, the food product may be a pie filling, a cookie (eg, a chocolate chip cookie), a candy (eg, a gummy), a candy bar (eg, a cereal bar or a granola bar), a cake, a bread, a cracker , a canned food product (eg, canned soup, canned fruit) or a dairy product (eg, yogurt, ice cream). In some embodiments, the food product may be a beverage. For example, in some embodiments, the food product may be a juice (eg, a juice smoothie), sparkling water, or an energy drink. In some embodiments, the food product may be chewing gum.

Various references to percentages of composition components appear throughout the application. Percentages are percent by weight unless otherwise noted.

Cellulose and hemicellulose are two of the main components found in plant material, along with the third component lignin. While these materials are a natural source of the sugars hexose (C6) and pentose (C5), they generally cannot be digested in the human intestine. Dextrose (D-glucose) is a common form of digestible C6 sugar. In some cases, dextrose can be produced through chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose obtained from plant sources. Hemicellulose can also be completely or partially hydrolyzed, for example by chemical or enzymatic processing. For example, hemicellulose can be partially hydrolyzed to xylooligosaccharides or completely hydrolyzed to xylose. In some cases, hydrolysis conditions can be controlled to ensure incomplete hydrolysis, producing a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharides and xylan.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition can be prepared by combining glucose with purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose is partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose and contains a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharide and xylose. In some embodiments, glucose is derived from cellulose. Cellulose and hemicellulose can, in some embodiments, be produced from lignocellulosic biomass, and in some embodiments, cellulose and hemicellulose can be produced from the same lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulosic biomass may contain

- 4 044879 plant material not generally considered suitable for direct human digestion, such as hard or soft wood, plant stems and petioles. Sources of lignocellulosic biomass include, but are not limited to, straw (eg, wheat straw), corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, and the like. Lignocellulosic biomass can be produced as a by-product of other industries such as agriculture, forestry and agrofuel crops.

Purified hemicellulose for use in the compositions can be partially hydrolyzed to produce a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharide and xylose, in any suitable proportion. In some cases, the amount of xylan may be in the range of 20-95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide may be in the range of 5-60%, and xylose may be in the range of 1-40% by weight of the dry matter of the purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan can range from 50 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can range from 5 to 30%, and the amount of xylose can range from 1 to 25% by weight of the dry matter of the purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, purified hemicellulose may include less than 10% other sugars and sugar polymers other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan. In a further embodiment, the purified hemicellulose includes less than 5%, or less than 2%, or less than 1% other sugars and sugar polymers other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose may be partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose derived from lignocellulosic biomass and may contain about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharide, and about 4% xylose.

In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition can be combined with glucose (eg, purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or a combination thereof) in various proportions to produce compositions with different DEs. Compositions with different DE may have different properties in terms of sweetness and viscosity. In some cases, compositions having a DE in the range of 35-75 and in particular a DE of 40-65 can be prepared and used as described herein. In some cases, compositions having DE 53, 42 and 63 can be prepared and used as described herein. Sweetener compositions comprising a purified hemicellulose composition combined with glucose (e.g., purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or a combination thereof) in various proportions can be prepared to approximate the DE and viscosity of commercially available syrups containing dextrose, glucose oligomers, and starch, such such as the corn syrups described herein. In some embodiments, sweetener compositions comprising a purified hemicellulose composition combined with glucose (e.g., purified glucose, dextrose, purified dextrose, or a combination thereof) in various proportions can be prepared to approximate the sweetness and viscosity of commercially available dextrose and starch syrups.

The present invention also relates to sweetener compositions. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition may include glucose and hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose may be purified. Hemicellulose can be purified by any suitable method. In some embodiments, hemicellulose can be purified by the method described herein. The degree of purification can be determined by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the degree of purification may be determined by determining the percentage (e.g., by dry matter weight) of one or more impurities remaining in the purified hemicellulose (e.g., polyphenols, ash, protein, or a combination thereof) and subtracting that amount from 100. In some embodiments, As an example, hemicellulose containing 0.4% ash and no other impurities can be considered to be 99.6% pure. In some embodiments, the purity may be determined by estimating the percentage (eg, by dry weight) of one or more desired components (eg, xylan, such as arabinoxylan) and using that percentage as the purity. By way of example only, hemicellulose comprising 97% arabinoxylan may be considered to be 97% pure. In some embodiments, the hemicellulose may have a purity of from about 80% to about 99.9% (e.g., from about 85% to about 99.9%, from about 90% to about 99.9%, from about 95% to about 99.9%, from about 98% to about 99.9%, from about 99% to about 99.9%, from about 80% to about 99%, from about 80% to about 98%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 80% to about 85%, from about 85% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 95%, from about 95% to about 99%, about 92% to about 98%, or about 94% to about 96%). In some embodiments, the hemicellulose may be at least about 90% pure (e.g., at least about 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98% pure, or

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99%). In some embodiments, the glucose may have a purity of from about 90% to about 99.9% (e.g., from about 85% to about 99.9%, from about 90% to about 99.9%, from about 95% to about 99.9%, from about 98% to about 99.9%, from about 99% to about 99.9%, from about 80% to about 99%, from about 80% to about 98%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 80% to about 85%, from about 85% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 99%, from about 90% to about 95%, from about 95% to about 99%, about 92% to about 98%, or about 94% to about 96%). In some embodiments, the glucose may be at least about 90% pure (e.g., at least about 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% pure) .

The sweetener composition provided herein may have any suitable proportion of glucose and hemicellulose (eg, purified hemicellulose). For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may include from about 5% to about 95% by weight of glucose dry matter (e.g., from about 5% to about 90%, from about 5% to about 80%, from about 5% to about 75%, from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 60%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 40%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 10%, about 10% to about 95%, about 10% to about 90%, about 10% to about 80%, from about 10% to about 75%, from about 10% to about 70%, from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 25%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80 %, from about 20% to about 75%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20 % to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, from about 25% to about 95%, from about 25% to about 90%, from about 25% to about 80%, from about 25% to about 75% , from about 25% to about 70%, from about 25% to about 60%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 95%, from about 30% to about 90%, from about 30% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 40%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 75%, from about 40% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 45% to about 55%, from about 48% to about 53%, from about 50% to about 95%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 80%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 70%, about 50% to about 60%, from about 60% to about 95%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 80%, from about 60% to about 75%, from about 60% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90 %, about 75% to about 80%, about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, or about 90% to about 95%) by weight of glucose dry matter). For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may include from about 5% to about 85% by weight of glucose dry matter (e.g., from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 70% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 70%, about 40% to about 60%, or about 45% to about 55% by weight of glucose dry matter). For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may include from about

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5% to about 95% by weight of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) dry matter (e.g., about 5% to about 95%, about 5% to about 80%, about 5% to about 75%, about 5% % to about 70%, from about 5% to about 60%, from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 40%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 25% , from about 5% to about 20%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 95%, from about 10% to about 90%, from about 10% to about 80%, from about 10% to about 75%, from about 10% to about 70%, from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 25%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 95%, from about 20% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 75%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, about 25% to about 95%, about 25% to about 90%, about 25% to about 80%, about 25% to about 75%, about 25% to about 70%, from about 25% to about 60%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 95%, from about 30% to about 90%, from about 30% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50 %, from about 30% to about 40%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 75%, from about 40 % to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 45% to about 55%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 90% , from about 50% to about 80%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 50% to about 70%, from about 50% to about 60%, from about 60% to about 95%, from about 60% to about 90%, from about 60% to about 80%, from about 60% to about 75%, from about 60% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90%, from about 75% to about 80%, from about 80% to about 95%, about 80% to about 90%, or about 90% to about 95%) by weight of hemicellulose dry matter (e.g., purified hemicellulose)). For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition may include from about 5% to about 85% by weight of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) dry matter (e.g., from about 5% to about 70%, from about 5% to about 50% , from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 85%, from about 50% to about 85%, from about 70% to about 85%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, or from about 45% to about 55% by weight of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) dry matter. In some embodiments, the percentage of dry matter weight of glucose and the percentage by weight dry matter of hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose) in the sweetener composition provided herein are summed to about 95%, about 96%, about 97%, about 98%, about 99%, or about 100 %.

Glucose may be provided in any suitable form or mixture of forms. In some embodiments, glucose may be provided in the form of dextrose. In some embodiments, glucose can be provided as a mixture of dextrose monomers and another isomer.

In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein can be characterized by components not present in the sweetener composition. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may lack components present in other sweetener compositions. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein can be characterized by components present in amounts different from other sweetener compositions. In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may lack components that

- 7 044879 may be present in the starting material (eg, lignocellulosic biomass), but which may impart undesirable odors, tastes or colors to the sweetener component (eg, glucose or hemicellulose, such as purified hemicellulose). In some cases, the sweetener composition described herein may have reduced amounts of components that may be present in the starting material (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but which may impart undesirable odors, tastes, or colors to the sweetener component (e.g., glucose or hemicellulose, such as purified hemicellulose). For example, the sweetener composition may have an ash content of less than 0.4% (eg, less than 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) by weight of dry matter. For example, in some cases, corn syrups may include maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may lack maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may include maltose in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9% , 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter). In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may include maltotriose in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9% , 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter).

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may have components consisting in large part of glucose (eg, dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may include sugars or sugar polymers other than glucose (e.g., dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof, in an amount of less than about 15% by weight. dry matter weight (for example, less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter).

In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may include sugars other than glucose (eg, dextrose), xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may include glucomannan, mannose, or a combination thereof in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11 %, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter). In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may not include glucomannan. In some embodiments, the sweetener compositions described herein may not include mannose.

The present invention also relates to a purified hemicellulose composition (also called purified hemicellulose). The purified hemicellulose composition may have any suitable components. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may include xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan, and hydrolysis products thereof. The components of the purified hemicellulose composition may be present in any suitable amounts.

For example, xylan may be present in the purified hemicellulose composition in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may include from about 20% to about 95% by weight of xylan dry matter (e.g., from about 20% to about 90%, from about 20% to about 80%, from about 20% to about 75%, from about 20% to about 70%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, from about 25% to about 95%, from about 25% to about 90%, from about 25% to about 80%, from about 25% to about 75%, from about 25% to about 70 %, from about 25% to about 60%, from about 25% to about 50%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 95%, from about 30 % to about 90%, from about 30% to about 80%, from about 30% to about 75%, from about 30% to about 70%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50% , from about 30% to about 40%, from about 40% to about 95%, from about 40% to about 90%, from about 40% to about 80%, from about 40% to about 75%, from about 40% to about 70%, from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 95%, from about 50% to about 90%, from about 50% to about 80%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 50% to

- 8 044879 approximately 70%, from approximately 50% to approximately 60%, from approximately 60% to approximately 95%, from approximately 60% to approximately 90%, from approximately 60% to approximately 80%, from approximately 60% to approximately 75 %, from about 60% to about 70%, from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75 % to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90%, from about 75% to about 80%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 82% to about 92%, from about 85% to about 89% , about 87% to about 88%, about 90% to about 95%, about 80%, about 81%, about 82%, about 83%, about 84%, about 85%, about 86%, about 87% , about 88%, about 89%, about 90%, about 91%, about 92%, about 93%, about 94%, or about 95% by weight of xylan dry matter).

In some cases, xylan may include arabinoxylan (AQ), glucuronoxylan, xyloglucan, glucomannan, hydrolysis products thereof, or a combination thereof, each of which may be present in the xylan in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, xylan may be primarily ACh. In some embodiments, xylan may comprise from about 70% to about 99% (e.g., from about 70% to about 95%, from about 70% to about 90%, from about 70% to about 85%, from about 70% to about 80%, from about 70% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 99%, from about 75% to about 95%, from about 75% to about 90%, from about 75% to about 85%, from about 75% to about 80%, from about 80% to about 99%, from about 80% to about 99%, from about 80% to about 95%, from about 80% to about 90%, from about 80% to about 85%, about 85% to about 99%, about 85% to about 95%, about 85% to about 90%, about 90% to about 99%, about 90% to about 95%, or from about 95% to about 99%) by weight of dry matter AC. In some embodiments, xylan may comprise at least about 70% (e.g., at least about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%) by weight dry matter AC.

For example, the xylooligosaccharide may be present in the purified hemicellulose composition in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may contain from about 5% to about 60% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter (e.g., from about 5% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 40%, from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 20%, from about 5% to about 15%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 8% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 10% to about 15%, from about 15% to about 60 %, from about 15% to about 50%, from about 15% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 30%, from about 15% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 60%, from about 20 % to about 50%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 30% to about 60%, from about 30% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 40% , from about 40% to about 60%, from about 40% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 60%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, about 10 %, about 11%, about 12%, about 13%, about 14%, or about 15% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter).

For example, xylose may be present in the purified hemicellulose composition in any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may be from about 0% to about 40% by weight xylose dry matter (e.g., from about 1% to about 30%, from about 1% to about 20%, from about 1% to about 25%, from about 1% to about 20%, from about 1% to about 15%, from about 1% to about 10%, from about 1% to about 5%, from about 4% to about 5%, from about 5% to about 40%, about 5% to about 30%, about 5% to about 25%, about 5% to about 20%, about 5% to about 15%, about 5% to about 10 %, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 25%,

- 9 044879 from about 10% to about 20%, from about 10% to about 15%, from about 15% to about 40%, from about 15% to about 30%, from about 15% to about 25%, from about 15% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, from about 20% to about 25%, from about 25% to about 40%, from about 25% to about 30 %, from about 30% to about 40%, from about 0% to about 5%, from about 0% to about 1%, from about 0.1% to about 40%, from about 0.1% to about 25% , from about 0.1% to about 10%, from about 0.1% to about 5%, from about 0.1% to about 1%, from about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0, 1%, about 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, about 4%, about 5%, about 6%, about 7%, about 8%, about 9%, or about 10% by weight xylose dry matter). For example, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may be from about 0% to about 5% by weight xylose dry matter (e.g., from about 0% to about 4%, from about 0% to about 2%, from about 0% to about 1%, from about 0% to about 0.5%, from about 0% to about 0.1%, from about 0.1% to about 5%, from about 0.5% to about 5%, from about 1% to about 5%, about 2% to about 5%, about 4% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 2%, from about 0.1% to about 1%, from about 0.1% to about 0.5%, from about 0.5% to about 4%, from about 0.5% to about 2%, or from about 0.5% to about 1% by weight of xylose dry matter).

In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can be characterized by components not present in the hemicellulose. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may lack components present in other hemicellulose preparations. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein can be characterized by components present in amounts different from other hemicellulose preparations. In some cases, the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein may lack components that may be present in the starting material (e.g., lignocellulosic biomass) but which may impart undesirable odors, tastes, or colors to the hemicellulose (e.g., purified hemicellulose). In some cases, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have a reduced amount of components that may be present in the starting material (eg, lignocellulosic biomass) but which may impart undesirable odors, tastes, or colors to the hemicellulose. For example, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have an ash content of less than 0.4% (eg, less than 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) by dry weight.

Corn syrups are commonly used sweeteners. The purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include components other than those of some corn syrups. For example, in some cases, corn syrups may include maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may lack maltose, maltotriose, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include maltose in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9 %, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter). In some embodiments, the hemicellulose described herein may include maltotriose in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter).

In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have components that are primarily xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or hydrolysis products thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include sugars or sugar polymers other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof, in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of the dry matter (e.g., less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter).

In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include sugars other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the composition of purified

- 10 044879 hemicelluloses described herein may include glucomannan, mannose, or a combination thereof, in an amount of less than about 15% by weight of dry matter (for example, less than about 14%, 13%, 12%, 11%, 10% , 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or 1% by weight of dry matter). In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may not include glucomannan. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may not include mannose.

The hemicellulosic material (eg, xylan (eg, arabinoxylan), xylooligosaccharides, xylose, or a combination thereof) from the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have any suitable molecular weight. Molecular weight can be determined by any suitable method. For example, the hemicellulosic material of a purified hemicellulose composition as described herein may have a molecular weight (as _Mw ) of less than about 4000 Da (eg, less than about 3500 Da or 3000 Da). As another example, the hemicellulosic material of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have a molecular weight (as Mw) of about 1500 to about 4000 Da (e.g., about 1500 to about 3500 Da, about 1500 to about 3000 Yes, from about 1500 to about 2500 Da, from about 1500 to about 2000 Da, from about 2000 to about 4000 Da, from about 2000 to about 3500 Da, from about 2000 to about 3000 Da, from about 2000 to about 2500 Da, about 2500 to about 4000 Da, about 2500 to about 3500 Da, about 2500 to about 3000 Da, about 3000 to about 4000 Da, about 3000 to about 3500 Da, or about 3500 to about 4000 Da).

The purified hemicellulose composition as described herein can be any suitable color. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that polyphenols may contribute to the color of the purified hemicellulose composition, making it browner; therefore, lighter-colored purified hemicellulose is considered to have a lower polyphenol content than darker-colored purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition provided herein may be off-white. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition provided herein may be white.

The purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have any suitable polyphenol content. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have less than about 0.5% (e.g., less than about 0.4%, 0.3%, 0.2%, or 0.1%) dry weight of polyphenols.

The purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have any suitable level of antioxidant. The antioxidant level can be measured using any suitable method. For example, the micromolar equivalent of Trolox per 100 grams (μmol TE/100 g) of the purified hemicellulose composition can be determined. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 (e.g., less than about 9500, 9000, 8500, or 8000) μmol TE/100 g. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition as described herein may have an antioxidant level of from about 0 to about 10,000 (e.g., from about 0 to about 8,000, from about 0 to about 6,000, from about 0 to about 4,000, from about 0 to about 2,000, from about 0 to approximately 1000, from approximately 1000 to approximately

10,000, from about 1,000 to about 10,000, from about 2,000 to about

10,000, from about 4,000 to about 10,000, from about 6,000 to about

10,000, from about 8,000 to about 10,000, from about 1,000 to about

9000, about 3000 to about 7000, or about 7000 to about 9000) µmol TE/100 g.

In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include xylan, xylooligosaccharides, and xylose in any amounts described herein. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 82% to about 92% by weight dry matter xylan, from about 8% to about 9% by weight dry matter xylooligosaccharide, and from about 4% to about 5% by weight dry matter xyloses. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include from about 87% to about 88% by weight dry matter xylan, from about 8% to about 9% by weight dry matter xylooligosaccharide, and from about 4% to about 5% xylose dry matter by weight. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may include about 87.3% by weight dry matter xylan, about 8.5% by weight dry matter xylo

- 11 044879 oligosaccharide and approximately 4.2% by weight of xylose dry matter. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition may comprise from about 85% to about 95% (e.g., from about 85% to about 93%, from about 85% to about 91%, from about 85% to about 89%, from about 85% to about 87%, about 87% to about 95%, about 89% to about 95%, about 91% to about 95%, about 93% to about 95%, about 87% to about 93 %, from about 86% to about 88%, from about 88% to about 92%, or from about 90% to about 95%) by weight of xylan dry matter, from about 5% to about 25% (for example, from about 5 % to about 20%, from about 5% to about 15%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 5% to about 8%, from about 10% to about 25%, from about 15% to about 25% , from about 20% to about 25%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 6% to about 12%, or from about 8% to about 10%) by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter, and from about 0% to about 5% (e.g., about 0% to about 4%, about 0% to about 2%, about 0% to about 1%, about 0% to about 0.5%, about 0% to about 0.1%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.5% to about 5%, about 1% to about 5%, about 2% to about 5%, about 4% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 5%, about 0.1% to about 4%, about 0.1% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, about 0.1% to about 0.5%, about 0.5% to about 4%, about 0.5% to about 2%, or about 0.5% to about 1%) by weight of xylose dry matter. In some embodiments, xylan may comprise from about 95% to about 99% by weight of the dry matter of arabinoxylan. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein is off-white. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein has a molecular weight (as _Mw ) of less than 4000 Da. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein has a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by weight of dry matter. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein has an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 μmol TE/100 g. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition described herein may have a purity of at least 95%.

It is understood that the amount of a component of the purified hemicellulose composition described herein (e.g., xylan, xylooligosaccharide, or xylose) in the sweetener composition described herein can be determined by multiplying the amount of hemicellulose in the sweetener composition described herein (e.g. as a percentage by weight of dry matter), by the amount of component (eg, xylan, xylooligosaccharide or xylose) in the purified hemicellulose composition described herein.

The present invention also provides a sweetener composition containing from about 48% to about 53% by weight dry matter dextrose, from about 41% to about 45% by weight dry matter xylan, from about 4% to about 5% by weight dry matter xyloo-oligosaccharides ; and from about 2% to about 2.5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

The present invention also relates to a sweetener composition containing approximately 50% by weight of dry matter dextrose; approximately 43% by weight xylan dry matter; approximately 4% by weight of dry matter xylooligosaccharides; and approximately 2% xylose dry matter by weight.

The sweetener composition described herein may have a dextrose equivalent (DE) of any suitable value. DE can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may have a DE of from about 35 to about 75 (e.g., from about 35 to about 40, from about 35 to about 45, from about 35 to about 50, from about 35 to about 55, from about 35 to about 60, from about 35 to about 65, from about 35 to about 75, from about 40 to about 45, from about 40 to about 50, from about 40 to about 55, from about 40 to about 60, from about 40 to about 65, from about 40 to about 70, from about 40 to about 75, from about 45 to about 50, from about 45 to about 55, from about 45 to about 60, from about 45 to about 65, about 45 to about 70, about 45 to about 75, about 50 to about

- 12 044879 specifically 55, from approximately 50 to approximately 60, from approximately 50 to approximately 65, from approximately 50 to approximately 70, from approximately 50 to approximately 75, from approximately 55 to approximately 60, from approximately 55 to approximately 65, from approximately 55 to about 70, from about 55 to about 75, from about 60 to about 65, from about 60 to about 70, from about 60 to about 75, from about 65 to about 70, from about 65 to about 75, from about 70 to about 75, about 42, about 53 or about 63). Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the sweetener composition described herein, with a DE within about 10 percent of a commercially available sweetener, can be substituted, to an approximately equal amount (or within about 10 percent), commercially available sweetener.

The sweetener composition described herein may have a glycemic index (GI) of any suitable value. GI can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may have a GI of from about 10 to about 80 (e.g., from about 10 to about 60, from about 10 to about 50, from about 10 to about 40, from about 10 to about 30, from about 10 to about 20, from about 20 to about 80, from about 30 to about 80, from about 40 to about 80, from about 50 to about 80, from about 60 to about 80, from about 20 to about 70, from about 30 to about 60, from about 35 to about 50, from about 40 to about 50, or from about 40 to about 45). Typically, the glycemic index of glucose (eg, dextrose) is reported to be 100. Sucrose is generally reported to have a glycemic index of 65. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that sweeteners with lower GI values may help control blood sugar and insulin levels, and/or can be used to control appetite and weight loss.

The sweetener composition described herein may have any suitable calorie content. The calorie content can be determined by any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, a sweetener composition described herein may provide from about 100 to about 225 calories (e.g., from about 100 to about 200, from about 100 to about 175, from about 100 to about 150, from about 100 to about 125, about 125 to about 225, about 150 to about 225, about 175 to about 225, about 200 to about 225, about 125 to about 200, about 150 to about 200, about 175 to about 200 or from about 180 to about 200) per 100 g of sweetener composition.

The sweetener composition described herein may include soluble fiber. In some embodiments, soluble fiber can be provided in the sweetener composition through hemicellulose. The sweetener composition described herein may include any suitable amount of soluble fiber. Soluble fiber content can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may provide from about 4 g to about 95 g (e.g., from about 4 g to about 85 g, from about 4 g to about 75 g, from about 4 g to about 65 g, from about 4 g to about 55 g, from about 4 g to about 45 g, from about 4 g to about 35 g, from about 4 g to about 25 g, from about 4 g to about 15 g, from about 15 g to about 95 g, from about 25 g to about 95 g, from about 35 g to about 95 g, from about 45 g to about 95 g, from about 55 g to about 95 g, from about 65 g to about 95 g, from about 75 g to about 95 g, from about 85 g to about 95 g, from about 10 g to about 80 g, from about 20 g to about 70 g, from about 30 g to about 60 g, from about 40 g to about 50 g, about 30 g to about 40 g, about 35 g to about 45 g, about 45 g to about 55 g, about 35 g, about 36 g, about 37 g, about 38 g, about 39 g, about 40 g, about 41 g, about 42 g, about 43 g, about 44 g, or about 45 g) soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may lack insoluble fiber. In some embodiments, the soluble fiber content may be the same as the purified hemicellulose (eg, arabinoxylan) content (eg, as a percentage by weight of dry matter).

The sweetener composition described herein may include prebiotics. In some embodiments, prebiotics can be provided in the sweetener composition at

- 13 044879 hemicellulose agent. The sweetener composition described herein may include any suitable amount of prebiotics. Prebiotic content can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may provide from about 4 g to about 95 g (e.g., from about 4 g to about 85 g, from about 4 g to about 75 g, from about 4 g to about 65 g, from about 4 g to about 55 g, from about 4 g to about 45 g, from about 4 g to about 35 g, from about 4 g to about 25 g, from about 4 g to about 15 g, from about 4 g to about 10 g, about 4 g to about 8 g, about 15 g to about 95 g, about 25 g to about 95 g, about 35 g to about 95 g, about 45 g to about 95 g, from about 55 g to about 95 g, from about 65 g to about 95 g, from about 75 g to about 95 g, from about 85 g to about 95 g, from about 10 g to about 80 g, from about 20 g to about 70 g, from about 30 g to about 60 g, from about 40 g to about 50 g, from about 30 g to about 40 g, from about 35 g to about 45 g, or from about 45 g to about 55 g ) prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition. In some embodiments, the prebiotic content may be the same as the purified hemicellulose (eg, arabinoxylan) content (eg, percentage by weight of dry matter).

The sweetener composition described herein may be in any suitable form. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may be a solid. In some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may be a syrup. The syrup may have any suitable properties. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may have a viscosity of from about 2500 to about 7000 cP (e.g., from about 2500 to about 6000 cP, from about 2500 to about 5000 cP, from about 2500 to about 4000 cP, from about 2500 to about 3000 cP, from about 3000 to about 7000 cP, from about 4000 to about 7000 cP, from about 5000 to about 7000 cP, from about 6000 to about 7000 cP, from about 2700 to about 3000 cP, from about 3000 to about 6000 cP, from about 3000 to about 5000 cP, or from about 4000 to about 6000 cP) at 120°C.

The present invention also relates to products containing any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, the present invention also relates to sweetener compositions containing any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, the present invention also relates to food products containing any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. The present invention also relates to dietary food supplements containing any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. Products containing any one or more of the compositions presented herein may have benefits. Non-limiting examples of such benefits include reducing calories, reducing the glycemic index, providing soluble fiber, providing prebiotics and providing antioxidants. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that hemicellulose (eg, arabinoxylan) is a low-calorie carbohydrate, and that hemicellulose (eg, arabinoxylan) is a source of soluble fiber that can be used by components of the microbiome to maintain health. It is further believed that, in some cases, polyphenols and/or polyphenol units may act as antioxidants.

The present invention also relates to the uses of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. For example, the present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in a food product. For example, the present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in a sweetener composition. The present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in a pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein in a dietary supplement.

The present invention also relates to products containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, the present invention relates to

- 14 044879 also applies to food products containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. The present invention also relates to dietary supplements containing any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein.

The present invention also relates to the uses of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, the present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in a food product. The present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in a pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also relates to the use of any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein in a dietary supplement.

The present invention also relates to methods of sweetening compositions using any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, the present invention also relates to a method of sweetening a food product, comprising adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the food product. The present invention also relates to a method of sweetening a pharmaceutical composition, comprising adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the pharmaceutical composition. The present invention also relates to a method of sweetening a dietary supplement, comprising adding any one or more of the sweetener compositions described herein to the dietary supplement.

The pharmaceutical composition may be any suitable pharmaceutical composition. Typically, the pharmaceutical composition includes at least one active ingredient (eg, one, two, three, four, five or more active ingredients, such as drugs) in a pharmaceutically effective amount. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition is an oral pharmaceutical composition. Typically, the oral pharmaceutical composition includes a sweetener.

The present invention also relates to methods for modifying the preparation of a food product, for example, to reduce the calorie content or to reduce the glycemic index. In some embodiments, the methods may include replacing, in part or in whole, any of the sweetener compositions described herein, sugar or sugar syrup in a recipe. For example, in some embodiments, the sweetener composition described herein may be substituted in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, about 75% to about 150%, about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) by weight or volume, sugar or sugar syrup in a recipe (for example, 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% sugar or sugar syrup in the recipe).

Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a method comprising providing a recipe including an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and preparing a food product in accordance with the recipe, but replacing at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup with a sweetener composition described herein, in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, about 75% to about 100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75 %, about 100%, about 125% or about 150%) of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. The present invention also relates to a method of reducing the calorie content of a food product prepared according to a recipe, comprising providing a recipe including an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and preparing the food product in accordance with the recipe, but replacing at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup with a composition sweetener described herein in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75 % to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150% , about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125% or about 150%), of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup. The present invention relates to

- 15 044879 also addresses a method of reducing the glycemic index of a food product prepared according to a recipe, comprising providing a recipe including an amount of sugar or sugar syrup, and preparing the food product in accordance with the recipe, but replacing at least part of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup with sweetener described herein in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75 % to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150% , about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125% or about 150%) of a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

In some cases, substituting an alternative sweetener (e.g., a sweetener other than the sweetener composition provided herein) for the sweetener composition provided herein may provide similar performance (e.g., sensory properties (e.g., taste, smell, and/or feel) in the mouth) or physical properties), having a lower calorie content, a lower glycemic index, a higher dietary fiber content, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, replacement may include using from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75 % to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150% , about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the sweetener composition provided herein, instead of a given amount (e.g., by weight or volume) of an alternative sweetener. In some embodiments, the replacement may be an equivalent replacement (eg, by dry matter weight or by volume). For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a food product comprising an amount of any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein, wherein the food product has sensory properties comparable to a similar food product containing an amount of an alternative sweetener composition, other than this sweetener composition, wherein the amount of the sweetener composition in the food product is from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75 %, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125 % to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125%, or about 150%) of the amount of the alternative sweetener composition in a similar food product. In some embodiments, the sensory properties may be determined by an experienced panel member. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a food product including an amount of any one or more of the sweetener compositions provided herein, where the food product has physical properties (e.g., tensile strength, cohesiveness, viscosity, appearance, temperature stability, storage stability, pH stability, and/or baking spread) comparable to a similar food product containing an amount of an alternative sweetener composition other than the sweetener composition, wherein the amount of the sweetener composition in the food product is from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125 %, from about 75% to about 100%, from about 100% to about 150%, from about 100% to about 125%, from about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, approximately 125% or approximately 150%) of the amount of the alternative sweetener composition in a similar food product. Physical properties can be measured using any suitable method. In some embodiments, a comparable physical property is within about 25% (eg, within about 20%, 15%, 10%, 5%, 2%, or 1%) of the same property in a similar food product. In some such embodiments, the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the sweetener composition may be from about 50% to about 150% (e.g., from about 50% to about 125%, from about 50% to about 100%, from about 50% to about 75%, from about 75% to about 150%, from about 75% to about 125%, from about 75% to about

- 16 044879

100%, about 100% to about 150%, about 100% to about 125%, about 125% to about 150%, about 50%, about 75%, about 100%, about 125% or about 150%) from DE of an alternative sweetener composition. In some cases, the DE of the sweetener composition provided herein is from about 30 to about 75 (for example, from about 40 to about 65, about 42, about 53, or about 63). In some embodiments, a food product may have a caloric content that is no more than 95% (eg, no more than 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, or 85%) of the caloric content of a similar food product. In some embodiments, a food product may have a dietary fiber content that is at least 1 gram more per serving (eg, at least 2, 3, 4, or 5 grams more per serving) of the dietary fiber content of a similar food product. In some embodiments, the alternative sweetener composition is corn syrup.

In a further aspect, compositions containing varying ratios of glucose and purified hemicellulose can be prepared. In one embodiment, the composition contains less than 95% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition contains less than 94% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition contains less than 90% glucose or from 5 to 90% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition contains less than 75% glucose or from 30 to 75% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition contains less than 60% glucose or from 30 to 60% glucose. In a further embodiment, the composition contains about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, or about 60% glucose.

In another aspect, the ratio of the components of the composition containing glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan can be selected so that it does not contribute significantly to the degree of sweetness, but instead is used as an ingredient in the food product primarily to impart other characteristics such as viscosity.

Glycemic index (GI) can be measured using methods known in the art, for example, as described in In vitro method for predicting glycemic index of foods using simulated digestion and an artificial neural network R. L. Magaletta et al., Cereal Chemistry vol. 87, no. 4, 2010. Soluble fiber is measured using AOAC Official Methods of Analysis 2011.25.

The present invention also relates to methods for preparing a hemicellulose composition. Any of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein can be prepared by the methods described herein.

In some cases, the methods described herein may involve extracting hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass and purifying the extracted hemicellulose. The extraction of hemicellulose from lignocellulosic biomass can be carried out by any suitable method. Purification of the extracted hemicellulose can be accomplished using any suitable method.

In some embodiments, the lignocellulosic biomass can be combined with water, and the lignocellulosic biomass can be activated using conditions including a first temperature and a first pressure to produce an activated cellulose stream (eg, a first activation step). In some embodiments, a pre-activation step may precede the first activation step. The first activated cellulose stream may be washed to obtain a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract. The first soluble extract can be separated from the washed first activated cellulose stream by any suitable method. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract can be separated from the washed first activated cellulose stream using filtration (eg, vacuum filtration).

An exemplary method is shown in FIG. 1. The lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be loaded into a reactor 103, where the lignocellulosic biomass 101 is subjected to a first activation step to produce a first activated cellulose stream 104. In the first activation step, the lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be processed at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a first activated cellulose stream 104. for example, containing cellulose II and insoluble solids. The first activation step can be carried out in the presence of water. Water may be introduced into reactor 103 through one or more of: present in lignocellulosic biomass 101, present in reactor 103 when lignocellulosic biomass is introduced into reactor 103, or introduced through feed stream 102. Reactor 103 may be a batch reactor or a continuous reactor . In the case of a batch reactor, the lignocellulosic biomass 101 can be fed to the reactor 103, and the reactor, which can be a stirred tank reactor, can be brought to operating conditions for a desired time. If the reactor 103 is a flow reactor, then it can be a steam reactor and can be maintained at the desired operating conditions. The first activated cellulose stream 104 may be washed to extract soluble non-cellulose components, such that

- 17 044879 such as hemicellulose and some ash, extractables and lignin. The first activated cellulose stream 104 and wash water 106 may be introduced into a wash reactor 105 to produce a soluble extract 107 and a washed first activated cellulose stream 108. The wash reactor 105 may be any suitable reactor. Optionally, the washing reactor 105 may operate in countercurrent and may be a countercurrent belt filter. Other filtration or separation methods may be used, for example using a filter press, double screen press, twin roller press, rotary vacuum filter or centrifuge.

The lignocellulosic biomass can be any suitable feedstock. For example, the lignocellulosic biomass may comprise one or more of straw, corn stover, bagasse, hardwood, softwood, agrofuel crops, and the like. The raw agricultural material that is supplied may, in some cases, be processed to remove stones, soil or other material present in the raw agricultural material and to reduce the size of the raw agricultural or forestry material fed into the process, for example by grinding , crushing, grinding or otherwise processing. In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used to produce the purified hemicellulose composition described herein is wheat straw.

In some cases, the pre-activation step may include steam treatment of the lignocellulosic biomass (eg wheat straw). The pre-activation step may include any suitable temperature, pressure and duration. In some embodiments, the temperature in the pre-activation step may be from about 110°C to about 150°C (e.g., from about 110°C to about 140°C, from about 110°C to about 130°C, from about 120 °C to about 150°C, from about 120°C to about 140°C, or from about 125°C to about 135°C). In some embodiments, the duration of the pre-activation step may be from about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes (e.g., from about 5 minutes to about 25 minutes, from about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes, from about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 20 minutes to about 30 minutes, about 10 minutes to about 30 minutes, or about 13 minutes to about 17 minutes). In some embodiments, the pre-activation stage pressure may range from about 10 psig. inch (69 kPa) to approximately 20 psi. inch (138 kPa) (e.g., about 10 to about 15 psig (about 69 to about 103 kPa), about 15 to about 20 psig (about 103 to about 138 kPa), approximately 10 psi (69 kPa), approximately 15 psi (103 kPa), or approximately 20 psi (138 kPa)).

In some cases, the first activation step can be carried out under conditions that increase the amount of cellulose II in the first activated cellulose stream relative to the amount of cellulose II in the feed.

The temperature in the first activation step may be any suitable temperature. In some cases, the temperature in the first activation stage may be greater than 190°C (eg, greater than 200°C, 210°C, 220°C, 230°C, or 240°C). In some embodiments, the temperature in the first activation step may be less than about 250°C (eg, less than 240°C, 230°C, or 220°C). In some embodiments, the temperature in the first activation step may be from about 190°C to about 250°C (e.g., from about 190°C to about 240°C, from about 190°C to about 230°C, from about 190 °C to about 220°C, from about 190°C to about 210°C, from about 190°C to about 200°C, from about 200°C to about 250°C, from about 200°C to about 240° C, from about 200°C to about 230°C, from about 200°C to about 220°C, from about 200°C to about 210°C, from about 210°C to about 250°C, from about 210° From to about 240°C, from about 210°C to about 230°C, from about 210°C to about 220°C, from about 220°C to about 250°C, from about 220°C to about 240°C , from about 220°C to about 230°C, from about 222°C to about 230°C, from about 230°C to about 250°C, from about 230°C to about 240°C, or from about 240°C up to approximately 250°C).

The amount of moisture introduced in the first activation step may be any suitable amount. In some embodiments, the amount of moisture may be at least about 30% (eg, at least about 40% or at least about 50%) based on the lignocellulosic biomass plus moisture. In some variants

- 18 044879 implementation, the amount of moisture may be less than 90% (for example, less than 80%, 70%, or 60%). In some embodiments, the amount of moisture in the first activation step may be approximately 50%. In some embodiments, the amount of moisture in the first activation step may be from about 10% to about 65% (e.g., from about 10% to about 60%, from about 10% to about 50%, from about 10% to about 40% , from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 65%, from about 30% to about 65%, from about 40% to about 65%, from about 50% to about 65%, from about 20% to about 50%, from about 30% to about 60%, or from about 35% to about 55%).

Moisture in the first stage of activation can be in the form of steam or liquid water. It will be understood that the temperature and pressure in the first activation stage can be selected such that liquid water is present in the first activation stage. It will be understood that the temperature and pressure in the first activation stage can be selected such that steam is present in the first activation stage.

The pressure in the first stage of activation may be any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, the pressure may be at least about 200 psig. inch (1379 kPa) (for example, at least about 250, 300 or 350 psi (1724, 2068 or 2413 kPa)). In some embodiments, the pressure may be less than 500 psi. inch (3447 kPa) (for example, less than about 450 or 400 psi (3103 or 2758 kPa)). Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the pressure in the reactor corresponds to the temperature, at least according to the thermodynamics of saturated steam. In some embodiments, the pressure can be increased beyond this value by adding compressed gas or adding superheat.

The duration of the first activation stage may be any suitable duration. In some embodiments, the first activation stage may be less than 30 minutes (eg, less than 20, 10, or 5 minutes). In some embodiments, the duration of the first activation stage may be from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes (e.g., from about 1 to about 25 minutes, from about 1 to about 20 minutes, from about 1 to about 15 minutes, from about 1 to about 10 minutes, about 1 to about 5 minutes, about 5 to about 30 minutes, about 5 to about 25 minutes, about 5 to about 20 minutes, about 5 to about 15 minutes, about 5 to about 10 minutes, from about 10 to about 30 minutes, from about 10 to about 25 minutes, from about 10 to about 20 minutes, from about 10 to about 15 minutes, from about 15 minutes to about 30 minutes, from about 15 to about 25 minutes , about 15 to about 20 minutes, about 20 to about 30 minutes, about 20 to about 25 minutes, about 25 to about 30 minutes, about 1 minute, about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, approximately 25 minutes or approximately 30 minutes). It will be understood that the duration of the first activation stage can be varied depending on a variety of factors, including the severity of the first activation stage, for example, the temperature and pressure of the first activation stage.

It will be understood that the values of temperature, pressure and duration of treatment can be combined in any desired combination. Accordingly, for example, the first activation step may involve subjecting the feedstock to pressure between 200 and 500 psi. inch (between 1379 and 3447 kPa) and a temperature between 200 and 250°C for 1-30 minutes, or a pressure between 200 and 500 psi. inch (between 1379 and 3447 kPa) and temperatures between 190 and 215°C for less than 4 minutes.

The first activated cellulose stream may have any suitable solids content. For example, the first activated cellulose stream may have a solids content of between about 30% and 50% solids by weight. In some cases, the solids may be primarily cellulose. In some cases, the solids may include lignin, hemicellulose and/or minor components such as ash, protein or extractables.

The first activated cellulose stream may be washed to provide a first washed activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract. The first stream of activated cellulose can be washed with water. The water may include any suitable solutes. In some embodiments, the rinse water may have a temperature of from about 40°C to about 100°C (e.g., from about 40°C to about 95°C, from about 40°C to about 90°C, from about 40°C From to about 80°C, from about 40°C to about 70°C, from about 40°C to about 60°C, from about 40°C to about 50°C, from about 50°C to about 100°C , from close

- 19 044879 especially 50°C to approximately 95°C, from approximately 50°C to approximately 90°C, from approximately 50°C to approximately 80°C, from approximately 50°C to approximately 70°C, from approximately 50° From to about 60°C, from about 60°C to about 100°C, from about 60°C to about 95°C, from about 60°C to about 90°C, from about 60°C to about 80°C , from about 60°C to about 70°C, from about 70°C to about 100°C, from about 70°C to about 95°C, from about 70°C to about 90°C, from about 70°C to about 80°C, from about 80°C to about 100°C, from about 80°C to about 95°C, from about 80°C to about 90°C, from about 90°C to about 100°C, from about 90°C to about 95°C or from about 95°C to about 100°C). In some embodiments, the rinse water may have a temperature of from about 25°C to about 95°C (e.g., from about 25°C to about 75°C, from about 25°C to about 50°C, from about 50°C C to about 95°C, from about 75°C to about 95°C, from about 25°C to about 50°C, or from about 25°C to about 75°C).

The first activated pulp stream, the first washed activated pulp stream, or a combination thereof may be subjected to additional processing steps, in some cases. In some embodiments, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof may be subjected to a second activation step to produce a second activated cellulose stream.

In some cases, the second activation step can be carried out under conditions that increase the amount of cellulose IV in the second activated cellulose stream relative to the amount of cellulose IV in the washed first activated cellulose stream.

The second activation step can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature may be greater than about 60°C (eg, greater than about 70°C). In some embodiments, the temperature may be less than about 180°C (e.g., less than about 170°C, 160°C, 150°C, 140°C, 130°C, 120°C, 110°C, 100°C C, 90°C or 80°C). In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out at a temperature ranging from about 60°C to about 180°C (e.g., from about 60°C to about 160°C, from about 60°C to about 140°C, from about 60°C to about 120°C, from about 60°C to about 100°C, from about 60°C to about 80°C, from about 80°C to about 180°C, from about 80°C to about 160°C, from about 80°C to about 140°C, from about 80°C to about 120°C, from about 80°C to about 100°C, from about 100°C to about 180°C, from about 100°C to about 160°C, from about 100°C to about 140°C, from about 100°C to about 120°C, from about 120°C to about 180°C, from about 120°C to about 160 °C, from about 120°C to about 140°C, from about 140°C to about 180°C, from about 140°C to about 160°C, or from about 160°C to about 180°C).

The second activation step can be carried out at any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, the second activation step can be performed at superatmospheric pressure. For example, the pressure may be from about 0.1 to about 400 psig. inch (about 0.7 to about 2758 kPa) (e.g., about 0.1 to about 300 psig (about 0.7 to about 2068 kPa), about 0.1 to about 200 psig psi (about 0.7 to about 1379 kPa), about 0.1 to about 100 psi (about 0.7 to about 689 kPa), about 0.1 to about 50 psi psi (about 0.7 to about 345 kPa), about 0.1 to about 10 psi (about 0.7 to about 69 kPa), about 0.1 to about 5 psi sq. inch (about 0.7 to about 34 kPa), from about 0.1 to about 1 psi (about 0.7 to about 7 kPa), from about 1 to about 400 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 2758 kPa), from about 1 to about 300 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 2068 kPa), from about 1 to about 200 psig. inch (about 7 kPa to about 1379 kPa), from about 1 to about 100 psig. inch (about 7 kPa to about 689 kPa), from about 1 to about 50 psig. inch (about 7 kPa to about 345 kPa), from about 1 to about 10 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 69 kPa), about 1 to about 5 psi. inch (from about 7 kPa to about 34 kPa), from about 5

- 20 044879 to approximately 400 psi. inch (about 34 to about 2758 kPa), from about 5 to about 300 psi. inch (about 34 to about 2068 kPa), from about 5 to about 200 psi. inch (about 34 to about 1379 kPa), from about 5 to about 100 psi. inch (about 34 to about 689 kPa), from about 5 to about 50 psi. inch (about 34 to about 345 kPa), about 5 to about 10 psi. inch (about 34 to about 69 kPa), from about 10 to about 400 psi. inch (about 69 to about 2758 kPa), from about 10 to about 300 psi. inch (about 69 to about 2068 kPa), from about 10 to about 200 psi. inch (about 69 to about 1379 kPa), about 10 to about 100 psi. inch (about 69 to about 689 kPa), about 10 to about 50 psi. inch (about 69 to about 345 kPa), from about 50 to about 400 psi. inch (about 345 to about 2758 kPa), about 50 to about 300 psi. inch (about 345 to about 2068 kPa), about 50 to about 200 psi. inch (about 345 to about 1379 kPa), about 50 to about 100 psi. inch (about 345 to about 689 kPa), from about 100 to about 400 psi. inch (about 689 to about 2758 kPa), from about 100 to about 300 psi. inch (about 689 to about 2068 kPa), about 100 to about 200 psi. inch (about 689 to about 1379 kPa), about 200 to about 400 psi. inch (about 1379 to about 2758 kPa), about 200 to about 300 psi. inch (about 1379 to about 2068 kPa) or about 300 to about 400 psi. inch (about 2068 to about 2758 kPa)).

The duration of the second activation stage may be any suitable duration. For example, the duration of the second activation stage may be less than 180 minutes (eg, less than 120 minutes, 90 minutes, or 60 minutes). In some embodiments, the duration of the second activation stage may be greater than 15 minutes (eg, greater than 30 minutes or 45 minutes). In some embodiments, the second activation stage may have a duration of from about 15 minutes to about 180 minutes (e.g., from about 15 to about 120 minutes, from about 15 to about 90 minutes, from about 15 to about 60 minutes, from about 15 to about 45 minutes, about 15 to about 30 minutes, about 30 to about 180 minutes, about 30 to about 120 minutes, about 30 to about 90 minutes, about 30 to about 60 minutes, about 30 to about 45 minutes, from about 45 minutes to about 180 minutes, from about 45 to about 120 minutes, from about 45 to about 90 minutes, from about 45 to about 60 minutes, from about 60 to about 180 minutes, from about 60 to about 120 minutes , from about 60 to about 90 minutes, from about 90 minutes to about 180 minutes, from about 90 to about 120 minutes, or from about 120 to about 180 minutes). It will be understood that the duration of the second activation stage can be varied depending on a variety of factors, including the severity of the activation stage, such as temperature and pressure.

It will be understood that the temperature, pressure and duration of the second activation stage can be combined in any desired combination. Accordingly, for example, the second activation step may include subjecting the first stream of activated cellulose to a temperature between 60 and 240° C. for 15-120 minutes at a pressure of 0-500 psig. inch (0-3447 kPa) or a temperature between 80 and 150°C for at least 60 minutes at a pressure of 0-300 psi. inch (0-2068 kPa).

The second activation stage may include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, the second activation stage conditions may include alkali treatment. The alkali may be provided in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the alkali may be provided in the form of one or more of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and ammonia. In some embodiments, the alkali is sodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment may include any suitable alkali charge. For example, the alkali charge may be between about 1% and about 10% (e.g., about 1% to about 9%, about 1% to about 8%, about 1% to about 7%, about 1% to about 6%, from about 1% to about 5%, from about 1% to about 4%, from about 1% to about 3%, from about 1% to about 2%, from about 2% to about 10%, from about 2% to about 9%, from about 2% to about 8%, from about 2% to at

- 21 044879 about 7%, from about 2% to about 6%, from about 2% to about 5%, from about 2% to about 4%, from about 2% to about 3%, from about 3% to about 10 %, from about 3% to about 9%, from about 3% to about 8%, from about 3% to about 7%, from about 3% to about 6%, from about 3% to about 5%, from about 3 % to about 4%, from about 4% to about 10%, from about 4% to about 9%, from about 4% to about 8%, from about 4% to about 7%, from about 4% to about 6% , from about 4% to about 5%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 5% to about 9%, from about 5% to about 8%, from about 5% to about 7%, from about 5% to about 6%, from about 6% to about 10%, from about 6% to about 9%, from about 6% to about 8%, from about 6% to about 7%, from about 7% to about 10%, from about 7% to about 9%, from about 7% to about 8%, from about 8% to about 10%, from about 8% to about 9%, or from about 9% to about 10%) by weight of dry matter of solids substances in the second activation step (eg, the first activated cellulose stream, the washed first activated cellulose stream, or combinations thereof). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that alkali causes cellulose to swell and further disrupts the inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of cellulose, thereby further modifying the crystal structure.

In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out in the presence of an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the second activation step can be carried out in the presence of an enzyme, such as laccase and/or a lignin-modifying enzyme.

In some embodiments, the second activation stage conditions may include an oxidizing agent. Examples of oxidizing agents suitable for use in the second activation step include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ). The oxidizing agent can be loaded at any suitable loading. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent may be loaded in an amount of from about 0.0001% to about 2% (e.g., from about 0.0001% to about 1%, from about 0.0001% to about 0.1%, from about 0.0001% to about 0.01%, about 0.0001% to about 0.001%, about 0.001% to about 2%, about 0.001% to about 1%, about 0.001% to about 0.1% , from about 0.001% to about 0.01%, from about 0.01% to about 2%, from about 0.01% to about 1%, from about 0.01% to about 0.1%, from about 0 .1% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, or about 1% to about 2%) by weight of the dry matter of the solids in the second activation step (e.g., first activated pulp stream, washed first activated pulp stream cellulose or combinations thereof).

The second activated cellulose stream may have any suitable solids content. In some embodiments, the second activated cellulose stream may have between about 5% and 50% solids by weight, preferably between about 20% and 35% solids. In some embodiments, the solids may primarily include cellulose.

The second activated cellulose stream may be subjected to one or more post-activation washing steps, for example to remove alkali and solubilized lignin. The second activated cellulose stream may be washed to produce a second washed activated cellulose stream. The second stream of activated cellulose can be washed with water. The water may include any suitable solutes. In some embodiments, the rinse water may have a temperature of from about 40°C to about 100°C (e.g., from about 40°C to about 95°C, from about 40°C to about 90°C, from about 40°C From about 80°C to about 80°C, from about 40°C to about 70°C, from about 40°C to about 60°C, from about 40°C to about 50°C, from about 50°C to about 100°C , from about 50°C to about 95°C, from about 50°C to about 90°C, from about 50°C to about 80°C, from about 50°C to about 70°C, from about 50°C to about 60°C, from about 60°C to about 100°C, from about 60°C to about 95°C, from about 60°C to about 90°C, from about 60°C to about 80°C, from about 60°C to about 70°C, from about 70°C to about 100°C, from about 70°C to about 95°C, from about 70°C to about 90°C, from about 70°C to about 80°C, from about 80°C to about 100°C, from about 80°C to about 95°C, from about 80°C to about 90°C, from about 90°C to about 100°C, from approximately 90°C to approximately 95°C, or from approx.

- 22 044879 from 95°C to approximately 100°C).

The second activated cellulose stream, the second washed activated cellulose stream, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof, may be subjected to additional processing steps, in some cases. In some embodiments, the first activated cellulose stream, the first washed activated cellulose stream, or a combination thereof can be treated with one or more enzymes to produce a glucose-rich sugar stream.

The enzyme may be any suitable enzyme. In some embodiments, the enzyme may be a cellulase enzyme. The enzyme treatment can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the enzyme treatment can be carried out at a temperature of approximately 40°C-55°C.

Typically, cellulase enzymes can be selected to degrade cellulose into monomeric sugars. For example, cellulase enzymes can be selected to hydrolyze 1,4-beta-D-glycosidic bonds to monosaccharides. Cellulase enzymes may comprise an enzyme with the activity of at least one of cellobiohydrolase, endoglucanase and beta-glucosidase. While cellulase enzyme preparations can be isolated from a number of sources, such as natural cultures of bacteria, yeast or fungi, one skilled in the art will appreciate that enzymes produced using recombinant methods can be used as described herein. Examples of commercially available enzymes suitable for use in the methods described herein include, but are not limited to, Ctec 2 or 3 from Novozymes, Rohament from AB Enzymes.

The enzyme can be added at any suitable load. Enzymes can be added at loadings of 0.1-120 mg, 0.2-60 mg, or 1-30 mg of enzyme protein per gram of glucan. In one embodiment, enzymes are added at a loading of 0.1-5 mg of enzyme protein per gram of glucan in activated cellulose. In one embodiment, enzymes are added to the activated cellulose at a load of about 2 to about 60 filter paper units (FPU)/r glucan, or optionally at a load of about 2-30 or 1-15 FPU/g glucan. The enzymes can be added individually directly to the activated cellulose or first combined with a surfactant and/or dispersant as described subsequently.

Enzymes can be brought into contact with activated cellulose for a suitable length of time (for example, between 24-144 hours, between 48-144 hours, between 48-60 hours, or between 24 and 72 hours), to convert the cellulose into monomeric sugars by enzymatic hydrolysis.

In some embodiments, at least about 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% of the theoretical glucose yield based on the glycan content of the activated cellulose is converted to glucose through enzymatic hydrolysis to produce a glucose-rich sugar stream. In some embodiments, the enzymatic hydrolysis is carried out for a predetermined duration of time or until a predetermined yield of glucose is obtained. After a certain amount of time, the rate of glucose production from enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose may decrease as the cellulose substrate is depleted or the presence of glucose inhibits the activity of cellulase enzymes.

Optionally, the activated cellulose can be contacted with enzymes in the presence of a surfactant and/or dispersant. In some embodiments, the dispersant is polyaspartic acid.

The surfactant may be any suitable surfactant. The surfactant may be a nonionic surfactant, optionally a polysorbate surfactant such as Tween. The surfactant may also be a mixture of surfactants. In some embodiments, the surfactant may be a mixture of Tween 80, an alkoxylated glyceride, and nonylphenol. In some embodiments, the surfactant is present at a loading of less than about 2% and/or more than about 0.01%. In some embodiments, the surfactant may be present at a loading between 1% and 0.01%, between 0.5% and 0.05%, or between about 0.1% and 0.2% by weight of the cellulose content in activated cellulose.

The dispersant may be any suitable dispersant. In some embodiments, the dispersant may be an oligopeptide, optionally a non-enzymatic polypeptide, with a molecular weight between 500 and 10,000 or between 1,000 and 5,000. The oligopeptide may be polyaspartic acid. Polyaspartic acid may have a molecular weight between 500 and 10,000, between 1000 and 5000, or between 3500 and 4500. Polyaspartic acid may be present at a loading of less than about 2% and/or more than about 0.001% by weight of the cellulose content of the activated cellulose. In some embodiments, polyaspartic acid may be present at

- 23 044879 load between 1% and 0.001%, between 0.25% and 0.025%, or approximately 0.1% by weight of the cellulose content of the activated cellulose.

Optionally, the ratio of surfactant to dispersant (eg, polyaspartic acid) in the enzymatic hydrolysis mixture is from 0.1:1 to 10:1, optionally from 0.5:1 to 2:1.

Optionally, the molar ratio of the dispersant (eg, polyaspartic acid) and one or more cellulase enzymes is from 0.01 to 10:1.

Accordingly, the enzyme hydrolysis mixture containing one or more cellulase enzymes, one or more surfactants and one or more dispersants can be used in any enzyme hydrolysis method, or can be used in association with any of the activation and enzyme hydrolysis methods described in the present description. The enzymatic hydrolysis mixture is particularly suitable for the enzymatic hydrolysis of activated cellulose containing cellulose II and cellulose IV described herein.

The first soluble extract (eg, including hemicellulose) can be subjected to additional processing steps, in some cases. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract may be subjected to one or more purification steps to obtain a purified hemicellulose composition.

Purification may include any suitable purification steps. In some embodiments, the purification steps may include one or more of: decolorization, carbon treatment (eg, activated carbon), ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration, in any suitable order. In some embodiments, the first soluble extract is decolorized before any other purification steps.

Discoloration may include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, the decolorization may involve alkali-peroxide conditions. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the alkaline peroxide conditions act to reduce the molecular weight of the hemicellulose in the first soluble extract and/or act to release polyphenols and/or other colored compounds from the hemicellulose. It should be noted that discoloration does not necessarily mean that the hemicellulose is completely discolored; instead, it means that the color of the hemicellulose is generally reduced (eg, the hemicellulose tends to become whiter).

Bleaching can be carried out at any suitable temperature. In some embodiments, the temperature may be greater than about 50°C (eg, greater than about 60°C or 70°C). In some embodiments, the temperature may be less than about 100°C (eg, less than about 90°C or 80°C). In some embodiments, the decolorization can be performed at a temperature ranging from about 50°C to about 250°C (e.g., from about 50°C to about 225°C, from about 50°C to about 200°C, from about 50 °C to about 175°C, from about 50°C to about 150°C, from about 50°C to about 125°C, from about 50°C to about 100°C, from about 50°C to about 75° C, from about 75°C to about 250°C, from about 100°C to about 250°C, from about 125°C to about 250°C, from about 150°C to about 250°C, from about 175° From to about 250°C, from about 200°C to about 250°C, from about 225°C to about 250°C, from about 100°C to about 200°C, from about 50°C to about 90°C , from about 60°C to about 80°C, from about 55°C to about 85°C, from about 55°C to about 75°C, from about 55°C to about 65°C).

Decolorization can be carried out at any suitable pressure. In some embodiments, bleaching can be performed at superatmospheric pressure. For example, the pressure may be from about 0.1 to about 400 psig. inch (about 0.7 to about 2758 kPa) (e.g., about 0.1 to about 300 psig (about 0.7 to about 2068 kPa), about 0.1 to about 200 psig psi (about 0.7 to about 1379 kPa), about 0.1 to about 100 psi (about 0.7 to about 689 kPa), about 0.1 to about 50 psi psi (about 0.7 to about 345 kPa), about 0.1 to about 10 psi (about 0.7 to about 69 kPa), about 0.1 to about 5 psi sq. inch (about 0.7 to about 34 kPa), from about 0.1 to about 1 psi (about 0.7 to about 7 kPa), from about 1 to about 400 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 2758 kPa), from about 1 to about 300 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 2068 kPa), from about 1 to about 200 psig. inch (about 7 kPa to about 1379 kPa), from about 1 to about 100 psig. inch (from approximately 7 kPa to approximately

- 24 044879 689 kPa), from about 1 to about 50 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 345 kPa), from about 1 to about 10 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 69 kPa), about 1 to about 5 psi. inch (about 7 kPa to about 34 kPa), from about 5 to about 400 psi. inch (about 34 to about 2758 kPa), from about 5 to about 300 psi. inch (about 34 to about 2068 kPa), from about 5 to about 200 psi. inch (about 34 to about 1379 kPa), from about 5 to about 100 psi. inch (about 34 to about 689 kPa), from about 5 to about 50 psi. inch (about 34 to about 345 kPa), about 5 to about 10 psi. inch (about 34 to about 69 kPa), from about 10 to about 400 psi. inch (about 69 to about 2758 kPa), from about 10 to about 300 psi. inch (about 69 to about 2068 kPa), from about 10 to about 200 psi. inch (about 69 to about 1379 kPa), about 10 to about 100 psi. inch (about 69 to about 689 kPa), about 10 to about 50 psi. inch (about 69 to about 345 kPa), from about 50 to about 400 psi. inch (about 345 to about 2758 kPa), about 50 to about 300 psi. inch (about 345 to about 2068 kPa), from about 50 to about 200 psi. inch (about 345 to about 1379 kPa), about 50 to about 100 psi. inch (about 345 to about 689 kPa), from about 100 to about 400 psi. inch (about 689 to about 2758 kPa), from about 100 to about 300 psi. inch (about 689 to about 2068 kPa), about 100 to about 200 psi. inch (about 689 to about 1379 kPa), about 200 to about 400 psi. inch (about 1379 to about 2758 kPa), about 200 to about 300 psi. inch (about 1379 to about 2068 kPa) or about 300 to about 400 psi. inch (about 2068 to about 2758 kPa)).

The duration of bleaching may be any suitable duration. For example, the duration of discoloration may be less than about 5 hours (eg, less than about 4 hours or less than about 3 hours). In some embodiments, the duration of discoloration may be greater than 1 hour (eg, greater than 2 hours). In some embodiments, the discoloration may last from about 1 hour to about 5 hours (e.g., from about 1 hour to about 4 hours, from about 1 hour to about 3 hours, from about 1 hour to about 2 hours, from about 2 hours to approximately 5 hours, approximately 2 hours to approximately 4 hours, approximately 2 hours to approximately 3 hours, approximately 3 hours to approximately 5 hours, approximately 3 hours to approximately 4 hours, approximately 4 hours to approximately 5 hours , from about 2 hours, from about 3 hours, from about 4 hours or from about 5 hours). It will be understood that the duration of decolorization can be varied depending on a variety of factors, including the severity of the decolorization stage, such as temperature and pressure.

It will be understood that the values of temperature, pressure and bleaching duration can be combined in any desired combination. Accordingly, for example, decolorization may involve exposing the first soluble extract to a temperature between 60 and 80° C. for 2 to 4 hours at a pressure of from 0 to 500 psig. inch (0 to 3447 kPa) or temperatures between 70 and 90°C for at least 1 hour at a pressure of 0 to 300 psi. inch (0 to 2068 kPa).

In some embodiments, the decolorization may include alkali treatment. The alkali may be provided in any suitable form. In some embodiments, the alkali may be provided in the form of one or more of sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and ammonia. In some embodiments, the alkali is sodium hydroxide. The alkali treatment can be carried out at any suitable pH. In some embodiments, the alkali treatment can be performed at a pH of from about 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., from about 9.5 to about 11.0, from about 9.5 to about 10.5, from about 9, 5 to about 10.0, about 10.0 to about 11.5, about 10.0 to about 11.0, about 10.0 to about 10.5, about 10.5 to about 11.5 , from about 10.5 to about 11.0, from about 11.0 to about 11.5, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.5, about 11.0 or about 11.5).

In some embodiments, bleaching may include treatment with an oxidizing agent

- 25 044879 means. In some embodiments, the decolorization may involve either an enzyme, such as laccase, and/or a lignin-modifying enzyme.

In some embodiments, the decolorization may include treatment with an oxidizing agent. Examples of oxidizing agents suitable for use in the decolorization step include, but are not limited to, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The oxidizing agent can be loaded at any suitable loading. In some embodiments, the oxidizing agent can be loaded in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% (e.g., from about 5% to about 30%, from about 5% to about 20%, from about 5% to about 10%, from about 10% to about 40%, from about 10% to about 30%, from about 10% to about 20%, from about 20% to about 40%, from about 20% to about 30%, or from about 30% to about 40%) by weight of the dry matter of one or more components in hemicellulose (for example, xylene (for example, arabinoxylan)).

The carbon treatment may include treating the first soluble extract (or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) with carbon (eg, activated carbon). The carbon charge may be any suitable charge. For example, carbon (e.g., activated carbon) can be used at a loading of from about 0.05% to about 0.5% (e.g., 0.05% to about 0.4%, from about

0.05% to about 0.3%, from about 0.05% to about 0.2%, from about

0.05% to about 0.1%, from about 0.1% to about 0.5%, from about 0.1% to about 0.4%, from about 0.1% to about 0.3%, from approximately

0.1% to about 0.2%, from about 0.2% to about 0.5%, from about

0.2% to about 0.4%, from about 0.2% to about 0.3%, from about

0.3% to about 0.5%, from about 0.3% to about 0.4%, from about

0.4% to approximately 0.5%, approximately 0.05%, approximately 0.1%, approximately 0.2%, approximately 0.3%, approximately 0.4%, approximately 0.5%) by dry weight substances of one or more components in hemicellulose (eg xylan (eg arabinoxylan)).

Ion exchange (eg, of the first soluble extract or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) may involve passing the first soluble extract (or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) through an ion exchange resin. The ion exchange resin may be any suitable ion exchange resin, such as a cation exchange resin or an anion exchange resin. In some embodiments, both a cation exchange resin and an anion exchange resin are used during the purification of the first soluble extract (or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) (this may be referred to as two-step ion exchange).

Reverse osmosis (eg, of the first soluble extract or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) may include any suitable conditions. In some embodiments, a nanofiltration membrane (eg, a filter with a pore size of about 1 to about 10 nm) can be used for reverse osmosis. In some embodiments, an ultrafiltration membrane (eg, a filter having a pore size of about 0.01 μm to about 0.1 μm) can be used for reverse osmosis. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that by reverse osmosis using a nanofilter, low molecular weight impurities, ions and/or water can be removed and hemicellulose can be concentrated.

Nanofiltration (eg, of the first soluble extract or the first soluble extract subjected to one or more purification steps) may include any suitable condition. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that nanofiltration can remove low molecular weight impurities, ions and/or water, and concentrate hemicellulose.

In some embodiments, the first soluble extract can be purified through, sequentially, decolorization, carbonization, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis using a nanofilter to obtain a purified hemicellulose composition.

In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used to produce the glucose (e.g., dextrose) described herein may be the same type of lignocellulosic biomass as the lignocellulosic biomass used to produce the purified hemicellulose composition described herein (e.g., both are corn stover or both are wheat straw). In some cases, the lignocellulosic biomass used to produce the glucose (e.g., dextrose) described herein may be the same type of lignocellulosic biomass as the lignocellulosic biomass used to produce the purified hemicellulose composition described herein (e.g., the same batch of corn stover or the same batch of wheat straw).

Hemicellulose (e.g., crude hemicellulose) can be produced by methods other than those specifically described herein (e.g., from lignocellulosic biomass using a first activation step as described herein and washing the first

- 26 044879 current of activated cellulose to obtain the first soluble extract described in the present description). For example, crude hemicellulose can be obtained from a commercial supplier. Crude hemicellulose may, in some cases, have an alkaline pH. In some embodiments, the crude hemicellulose may have a portion of the hemicellulose with a molecular weight (M _w ) of at least about 20 kDa (eg, at least about 30, 50, 75, or 100 kDa). In some embodiments, the hemicellulose may have a molecular weight of from about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa (e.g., from about 20 to about 250 kDa, from about 20 to about 200 kDa, from about 20 to about 150 kDa, from about 20 to about 100 kDa, about 20 to about 50 kDa, about 50 to about 300 kDa, about 100 to about 300 kDa, about 150 to about 300 kDa, about 200 to about 200 kDa, about 250 to about 300 kDa or from about 100 to about 200 kDa).

Crude hemicellulose can be processed to reduce the molecular weight (Mw) to produce hemicellulose with reduced molecular weight. In some embodiments, alkaline conditions can be used to reduce the molecular weight of the crude hemicellulose. In some embodiments, alkaline conditions may include a pH of from 9.5 to about 11.5 (e.g., from about 9.5 to about 11.0, from about 9.5 to about 10.5, from about 9.5 to about 10.0, from about 10.0 to about 11.5, from about 10.0 to about 11.0, from about 10.0 to about 10.5, from about 10.5 to about 11.5, from about 10.5 to about 11.0, about 11.0 to about 11.5, about 9.5, about 10.0, about 10.5, about 11.0 or about 11.5). Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the decrease in molecular weight is related to pH, duration, temperature and pressure of processing. In some embodiments, the pressure may be atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the duration of the alkali treatment may be from about 30 minutes to about 8 hours (e.g., from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours, from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours, from about 30 minutes to about 2 hours, from about 30 minutes to approximately 1 hour, approximately 1 hour to approximately 8 hours, approximately 1 hour to approximately 6 hours, approximately 1 hour to approximately 4 hours, approximately 1 hour to approximately 2 hours, approximately 2 hours to approximately 8 hours hours, from about 2 hours to about 6 hours, from about 2 hours to about 4 hours, from about 4 hours to about 8 hours, from about 4 hours to about 6 hours, or from about 6 hours to about 8 hours). In some embodiments, the temperature may be from about 60°C to about 150°C (e.g., from about 60°C to about 140°C, from about 60°C to about 120°C, from about 60°C to about 100°C, from about 60°C to about 80°C, from about 60°C to about 100°C, from about 80°C to about 150°C, from about 80°C to about 140°C, from about 80°C to about 120°C, from about 80°C to about 100°C, from about 100°C to about 150°C, from about 100°C to about 140°C, from about 100°C to about 120 °C, from about 100°C to about 150°C, from about 100°C to about 140°C, from about 100°C to about 120°C, from about 120°C to about 150°C, from about 120 °C to approximately 140°C, approximately 140°C to approximately 150°C, approximately 60°C, approximately 70°C, approximately 80°C, approximately 90°C, approximately 100°C, approximately 110°C, approximately 120°C, approximately 130°C, approximately 140°C or approximately 150°C). Treatment with alkali can reduce the molecular weight to the desired molecular weight, depending on conditions. In some embodiments, the molecular weight of the alkali-treated hemicellulose may be from about 4500 to about 6500 Da (e.g., about 4500 to about 6000 Da, about 4500 to about 5500 Da, about 4500 to about 5000 Da, about 5000 to about 6500 Da, about 5000 to about 6000 Da, about 5000 to about 5500 Da, about 5500 to about 6500, about 5500 to about 6000 Da, or about 6000 to about 6500 Da).

The reduced molecular weight hemicellulose can be purified using any suitable purification step to obtain the purified hemicellulose composition described herein. In some embodiments, the reduced molecular weight hemicellulose can be purified using any of the purification steps as described herein to obtain a purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the reduced molecular weight hemicellulose may be subjected to carbon treatment (eg

- 27 044879 measures, activated carbon), performing ion exchange (IX), performing reverse osmosis or nanofiltration, in any suitable order, to obtain a purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, a purified hemicellulose composition derived from reduced molecular weight hemicellulose can be used in a sweetener composition, such as any of the sweetener compositions described herein.

In some embodiments, reduced molecular weight hemicellulose can be combined with bleached hemicellulose in any suitable ratio. For example, from about 25% to about 75% (e.g., from about 25% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 75%, about 25%, about 50%, or about 75%) by weight of reduced hemicellulose dry matter molecular weight may be combined with from about 25% to about 75% (e.g., from about 25% to about 50%, from about 50% to about 75%, about 25%, about 50%, or about 75%) by weight of dry matter bleached hemicellulose. Such a combination, in some embodiments, can be subjected to carbon treatment (eg, activated carbon), ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, or nanofiltration, in any suitable order, to obtain a purified hemicellulose composition. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition obtained by combining reduced molecular weight hemicellulose and decolorized hemicellulose can be used in a sweetener composition, such as any of the sweetener compositions described herein.

The purified hemicellulose composition may be dried (eg, partially or completely dried). The purified hemicellulose composition can be dried using any suitable method. For example, in some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose composition can be dried using spray drying, tray drying, or lyophilization.

The present invention also relates to methods for preparing a sweetener composition. Any of the sweetener compositions described herein can be prepared by the methods described herein. Methods for preparing the sweetener composition may involve combining glucose (eg, in the form of dextrose or a combination of glucose and dextrose) and a purified hemicellulose composition. The combination may include any suitable steps. In some embodiments, combining may involve mixing, stirring, shaking, dissolving, emulsifying, or a combination thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the dry glucose and the dry purified hemicellulose composition may be mixed, and optionally water may be added to form a syrup (eg, about 70% to about 80% dry matter). In some embodiments, the dry purified hemicellulose composition can be added to the glucose syrup (eg, by mixing, stirring, dissolving, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, dry glucose can be added to the purified hemicellulose composition in syrup form (eg, by mixing, stirring, dissolving, or a combination thereof). In some embodiments, the glucose syrup can be combined (eg, by mixing or stirring) with the purified hemicellulose composition in syrup form. The purified hemicellulose composition may be any of the purified hemicellulose compositions described herein. The glucose and purified hemicellulose composition can be combined in any suitable ratio, for example, to produce any of the sweetener compositions described herein. For example, in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 20 (e.g., from about 1 to about 15, from about 1 to about 10, from about 1 to about 5, from about 5 to about 20, from about 5 to about 15 , from about 5 to about 10, from about 10 to about 20, from about 10 to about 15, from about 15 to about 20, about 1, about 2, about 5, about 10, about 15 or about 20) parts by weight glucose dry matter can be combined with about 1 part by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter. For example, in some embodiments, from about 1 to about 20 (e.g., from about 1 to about 15, from about 1 to about 10, from about 1 to about 5, from about 5 to about 20, from about 5 to about 15 , from about 5 to about 10, from about 10 to about 20, from about 10 to about 15, from about 15 to about 20, about 1, about 2, about 5, about 10, about 15 or about 20) parts by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter can be combined with approximately 1 part by weight of glucose dry matter.

In one embodiment, a composition containing glucose and purified hemicellulose is prepared by the following method:

The lignocellulosic biomass is treated with steam to extract, hydrolyze and separate the hemi-cellulose from the lignocellulosic biomass matrix. (See, for example, the illustrative treatment in US Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1) or PCT Publication No. WO2016161515(A1), both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.)

Hemicellulose is isolated by washing with water, (See, for example, for illustrative washing details in US Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1) or PCT Publication No. WO2016161515(A1).)

Hemicellulose is purified by sequential treatment with activated carbon (to remove organic impurities) and then two-step ion exchange (cation/anionic) to remove inorganic impurities.

The hemicellulose is optionally concentrated and/or dried.

Although in the above example the hemicellulose is purified by sequential treatment with activated carbon and then two-step ion exchange, one skilled in the art will appreciate that there are alternative methods known in the art for purifying hemicellulose that can provide a similarly purified product.

The concentration of hemicellulose can be carried out, for example, by evaporation or reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis can also be used to pre-concentrate hemicelluloses followed by evaporation. Various drying methods are known in the art and can be used alone or in combination with various concentration methods. The preferred evaporation method to preserve flavor and/or color is falling film evaporation under vacuum. Preferred drying methods to preserve flavor and/or color are freeze-drying or spray drying.

The sweetener compositions containing dextrose and hemicellulose described herein can be used in the preparation of foods and beverages. They can also be used as additives in a pharmaceutical composition or food additives, in particular orally administered food additives. Dietary supplements may include, but are not limited to, natural health products, fiber nutritional supplements, vitamin or mineral nutritional supplements, protein or amino acid nutritional supplements, and the like. The sweetener composition described herein may also be sold for use as a sugar substitute for home use, such as in cooking or baking, or as a seasoning.

The sweetener composition containing dextrose and purified hemicellulose described herein can be used as a food ingredient imparting properties other than sweetness to the food product. For example, the ratio of dextrose to purified hemicellulose may be selected to provide increased viscosity or moisture retention properties, and may impart very little or no sweet taste. In a further aspect, purified hemicellulose can be used alone as a dietary supplement as a source of soluble fiber and/or prebiotics. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose can be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed. Purified hemicellulose may include xylose and xylooligosaccharide and xylan. Purified hemicellulose may further include other sugar polymers. Other sugar polymers can also be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed to their sugar components or oligosaccharides of these sugars. In one embodiment, the purified hemicellulose may include up to 10% other sugar polymers. In some embodiments of the purified, hydrolyzed hemicellulose, the amount of xylan can range from 20 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can range from 5 to 60%, and xylose can range from 1 to 40%. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan can range from 50 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can range from 5 to 30%, and xylose can range from 1 to 25%. In some embodiments, the purified hydrolyzed hemicellulose contains about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharide, and about 4% xylose.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a composition containing partially hydrolyzed cellulose and partially or fully hydrolyzed hemicellulose. The composition can be used as a sweetener or food additive and can be used to impart sweetness or viscosity, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition contains dextrose, dextrose oligosaccharides, and purified hemicellulose. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose contains xylose, xylooligosaccharides, and xylan. In a further aspect, the purified hemicellulose composition may further include other sugar polymers. Other sugar polymers can also be hydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed to their sugar components or oligosaccharides of these sugars. In some embodiments, the purified hemicellulose may include up to 10% other sugar polymers. In some embodiments of the purified, hydrolyzed hemicellulose, the amount of xylan can range from 20 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can range from 5 to 60%, and xylose can range from 1 to 40%. In some embodiments, the amount of xylan may be in the range

- 29 044879 from 50 to 95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can be in the range from 5 to 30%, and xylose can be in the range from 1 to 25%. In some embodiments, the purified hydrolyzed hemicellulose contains about 87% xylan, about 9% xylooligosaccharide, and about 4% xylose.

In a further aspect, the compositions as described herein can be used as taste modulators. The composition can be used to modulate the taste of other sweeteners, including high potency sweeteners and bulk sweeteners such as erythritol.

Exemplary Embodiments

Embodiment 1 is a sweetener composition comprising:

from about 5% to about 95% by weight of dry matter glucose; and from about 5% to about 95% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 2 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 1 where the purified hemicellulose contains xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan.

Embodiment 3 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose hydrolysis products, xylooligosaccharide hydrolysis products, or xylan hydrolysis products.

Embodiment 4 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 30% to about 75% by weight of dry matter glucose.

Embodiment 5 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 40% to about 60% by weight dry matter glucose.

Embodiment 6 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 45% to about 55% by weight of glucose dry matter.

Embodiment 7 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-6, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 30% to about 75% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 8 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 40% to about 60% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 9 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 45% to about 55% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 10 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 20% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 11 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 30% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 12 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 50% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 13 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-8, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 80% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 14 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-13, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 87% xylan dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 15 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 2-14, wherein the xylan contains from about 70% to about 99% by weight of arabinoxylan dry matter.

Embodiment 16 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 2-14, wherein the xylan contains from about 80% to about 99% by weight of arabinoxylan dry matter.

Embodiment 17 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 2-14, wherein the xylan contains from about 90% to about 99% by weight of arabinoxylan dry matter.

Embodiment 18 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 2-14, wherein the xylan contains from about 95% to about 99% by weight of arabinoxylan dry matter.

Embodiment 19 is a sweetener composition according to any one of embodiments

- 30 044879 embodiments 1-18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 60% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 20 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 30% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 21 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 15% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 22 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-18, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 9% xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 23 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 25% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 24 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 40% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 25 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 10% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 26 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 4% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 27 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 28 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 29 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 30 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 31 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 32 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 33 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-30, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 34 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by weight dry matter of a sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 35 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 36 is the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-33, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 37 is the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-36, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by weight of the dry matter of a sugar or sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 38 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-36, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by weight of dry matter sugar or a sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or pro

- 31 044879 of the product of their hydrolysis.

Embodiment 39 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-36, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by weight of the dry matter of a sugar or a sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 40 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of from about 35 to about 75.

Embodiment 41 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of from about 40 to about 65.

Embodiment 42 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

Embodiment 43 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42.

Embodiment 44 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 53.

Embodiment 45 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-39, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 63.

Embodiment 46 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-45, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of from about 35 to about 50.

Embodiment 47 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-45, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of from about 40 to about 45.

Embodiment 48 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-45, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of approximately 42.

Embodiment 49 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-48, wherein the sweetener composition provides from about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 50 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-48, wherein the sweetener composition provides from about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 51 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-48, wherein the sweetener composition provides approximately 190 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 52 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-51, wherein the sweetener composition contains soluble fiber.

Embodiment 53 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-52, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 54 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-52, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 55 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-52, wherein the sweetener composition contains approximately 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 56 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-55, wherein the sweetener composition contains prebiotics.

Embodiment 57 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-55, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 58 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-55, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 59 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-55, wherein the sweetener composition contains approximately 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 60 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-59, wherein the sweetener composition does not contain insoluble fiber.

Embodiment 61 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1 to 60, wherein the glucose is at least partially in the form of dextrose.

Embodiment 62 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-61, wherein the sweetener composition is a solid.

- 32 044879

Embodiment 63 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-61, wherein the sweetener composition is a syrup.

Embodiment 64 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 63, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 65 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 63, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 66 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 63, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of approximately 2800 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 67 is a sweetener composition comprising:

from about 48% to about 53% by weight of dry matter dextrose;

from about 41% to about 45% by weight of xylan dry matter;

from about 4% to about 5% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharides dry matter; and from about 2% to about 2.5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 68 is a sweetener composition comprising:

approximately 50% by weight of dry matter dextrose;

approximately 43% by weight xylan dry matter;

approximately 4% by weight of dry matter xylooligosaccharides; and approximately 2% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 69 is a food product containing the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-68.

Embodiment 70 is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-68.

Embodiment 71 is a dietary supplement comprising the sweetener composition of any one of Embodiments 1-68.

Embodiment 72 is the use of the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 in a food product.

Embodiment 73 is the use of the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 in a pharmaceutical composition.

Embodiment 74 is the use of the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 in a dietary supplement.

Embodiment 75 is a method of sweetening a food product, comprising adding the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 to the food product.

Embodiment 76 is a method of sweetening a pharmaceutical composition, comprising adding the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 1-68 to the pharmaceutical composition.

Embodiment 77 is a method of sweetening a dietary supplement, comprising adding the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 to the dietary supplement.

Embodiment 78 is a method of reducing the calorie content of a prepared food product, comprising:

providing a recipe containing a quantity of sugar or sugar syrup; and preparing the food product in accordance with the recipe, but replacing at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup with the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% of the portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

Embodiment 79 is a method of reducing the glycemic index of a prepared food product, comprising:

providing a recipe containing a quantity of sugar or sugar syrup; and preparing the food product in accordance with the recipe, but replacing at least a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup with the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 1-68 in an amount of from about 50% to about 150% of the portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

Embodiment 80 is the method of Embodiment 78 or Embodiment 79 wherein a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with the sweetener composition of any of Embodiments 1-68 in an amount of from about 80% to about 120% of the portion of the sugar or sugar syrup .

Embodiment 81 is the method of Embodiment 78 or Embodiment 79 wherein a portion of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup is replaced with a sweetening composition

- 33 044879 calf according to any of embodiments 1-68 in an amount of approximately 100% of the amount of sugar or sugar syrup.

Embodiment 82 is a purified hemicellulose composition comprising:

from about 82% to about 92% by weight of xylan dry matter;

from about 8% to about 9% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter; and from about 4% to about 5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 83 is a purified hemicellulose composition comprising:

from about 87% to about 88% by weight of xylan dry matter;

from about 8% to about 9% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter; and from about 4% to about 5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 84 is a purified hemicellulose composition comprising:

approximately 87.3% by weight xylan dry matter;

approximately 8.5% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter; and approximately 4.2% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 85 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-84, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition is off-white.

Embodiment 86 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-85, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition has a molecular weight (Mw) of less than 4000 Da.

Embodiment 87 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-86, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition has a polyphenol content of less than about 0.5% by weight of dry matter.

Embodiment 88 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-87, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition has an antioxidant level of less than about 10,000 μmol TE/100 g.

Embodiment 89 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-88, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition is at least 95% pure.

Embodiment 90 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-89, wherein the xylan contains from about 70% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 91 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-90, wherein the xylan contains from about 80% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 92 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-90, wherein the xylan contains from about 90% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 93 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-90, wherein the xylan contains from about 95% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 94 is a food product containing the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-93.

Embodiment 95 is a sweetener composition comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-93.

Embodiment 96 is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-93.

Embodiment 97 is a dietary supplement comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 82-93.

Embodiment 98 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-93 in a food product.

Embodiment 99 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-93 in a sweetener composition.

Embodiment 100 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-93 in a pharmaceutical composition.

Embodiment 101 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 82-93 in a dietary supplement.

Embodiment 102 is a method for producing purified hemicellulose, comprising:

obtaining lignocellulosic biomass;

combining lignocellulosic biomass with water;

activating the lignocellulosic biomass and water using a condition including a first temperature and a first pressure to produce a first stream of activated cellulose;

- 34 044879 washing the first activated cellulose stream to obtain a washed first activated cellulose stream and a first soluble extract, where the first soluble extract contains hemicellulose; and purifying the first soluble extract to obtain purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 103 is the method of Embodiment 102, where the first temperature is from about 190°C to about 225°C.

Embodiment 104 is the method of Embodiment 102 or Embodiment 103, where the first pressure is from about 200 to about 500 psig. inch (from approximately 1379 to approximately 3447 kPa).

Embodiment 105 is the method of any of embodiments 102-104, wherein the activation step has a duration of from about 1 to about 30 minutes.

Embodiment 106 is the method of any of embodiments 102-105, wherein the washing includes washing with water at a temperature of about 40°C and about 100°C.

Embodiment 107 is the method of any one of embodiments 102-106, wherein the purification includes one or more of decolorization, carbonization, ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 108 is the method of Embodiment 107, wherein the carbon treatment is an activated carbon treatment.

Embodiment 109 is the method of Embodiment 107 where performing IX involves performing a two-step ion exchange.

Embodiment 110 is the method of Embodiment 107 where reverse osmosis involves the use of a nanofiltration membrane.

Embodiment 111 is the method of any of embodiments 107-110, wherein the decolorization includes an alkali-peroxide treatment.

Embodiment 112 is the method of any of embodiments 107-110, wherein the decolorization involves conditions including a pH of from about 9.5 to about 11.5.

Embodiment 113 is the method of any of embodiments 107-110, wherein the decolorization involves conditions including a pH of from about 10.0 to about 11.0.

Embodiment 114 is the method of any of embodiments 107-111, wherein the decolorization includes peroxide treatment.

Embodiment 115 is the method of Embodiment 114, wherein the peroxide treatment comprises loading peroxide from about 5% to about 40%, based on the dry weight of the xylan component of the hemicellulose.

Embodiment 116 is the method of Embodiment 114, wherein the peroxide treatment comprises loading peroxide from about 5% to about 40%, based on the dry weight of the arabinoxylan hemicellulose component.

Embodiment 117 is the method of any of embodiments 107-116, wherein the decolorization lasts from about 1 to about 5 hours.

Embodiment 118 is the method of any of embodiments 107-116, wherein the decolorization lasts from about 2 to about 4 hours.

Embodiment 119 is the method of any of embodiments 107-118, wherein the decolorization is carried out at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 100°C.

Embodiment 120 is the method of any one of embodiments 107118, wherein the decolorization is carried out at a temperature of from about 60°C to about 80°C.

Embodiment 121 is the method of any one of embodiments 102-108, wherein purification comprises, sequentially, decolorization, carbon treatment, ion exchange (IX), and reverse osmosis to obtain purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 122 is the method of any of embodiments 102-121, further comprising adding reduced molecular weight hemicellulose to the decolorized hemicellulose.

Embodiment 123 is the method of any of embodiments 102122, further comprising drying the purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 124 is purified hemicellulose produced by the method of any one of embodiments 102-123.

Embodiment 125 is a method of preparing a sweetener composition, comprising:

obtaining glucose;

obtaining purified hemicellulose; And

- 35 044879 combining glucose and purified hemicellulose to obtain a sweetener composition.

Embodiment 126 is the method of Embodiment 124, where the glucose includes glucose derived from lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 127 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-126, wherein the purified hemicellulose includes purified hemicellulose derived from lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 128 is the method of Embodiment 126 or Embodiment 127, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises hardwood, softwood, plant stems, plant petioles, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 129 is the method of Embodiment 126 or Embodiment 127, wherein the lignocellulosic biomass comprises wheat straw, wheat flour, wheat bran, corn stover, sugarcane bagasse, hardwood, softwood, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 130 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-129, wherein the glucose is produced by a process comprising steaming the lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatically treating the lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 131 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-130, wherein the purified hemicellulose is produced by a process comprising steaming the lignocellulosic biomass, enzymatically treating the lignocellulosic biomass, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 132 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-131, wherein hemicellulose is produced by the method of any of embodiments 102-123.

Embodiment 133 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-132, wherein the purified hemicellulose is the purified hemicellulose of any of embodiments 82-93.

Embodiment 134 is the method of any of embodiments 125-133, wherein about 1-20 parts by weight dry matter of glucose is combined with about 1 part by weight of dry matter of purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 135 is the method of any of embodiments 125-133, wherein about 1 part by weight dry matter of glucose is combined with about 1 part by weight of dry matter of purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 136 is the method of any of embodiments 125-135, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan.

Embodiment 137 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-135, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains xylose hydrolysis products, xylooligosaccharide hydrolysis products, or xylan hydrolysis products.

Embodiment 138 is the method of any of embodiments 125-137, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 30% to about 75% by weight dry matter glucose.

Embodiment 139 is the method of any of embodiments 125-137, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 40% to about 60% by weight dry matter glucose.

Embodiment 140 is the method of any of embodiments 125-137, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 45% to about 55% by weight dry matter glucose.

Embodiment 141 is the method of any of embodiments 125-140, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 30% to about 75% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 142 is the method of any of embodiments 125-140, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 40% to about 60% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 143 is the method of any of embodiments 125-140, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 45% to about 55% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter.

Embodiment 144 is the method of any of embodiments 125-143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 20% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 145 is the method of any of embodiments 125-143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 30% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 146 is the method of any of embodiments 125-143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 50% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

- 36 044879

Embodiment 147 is the method of any of embodiments 125-143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 80% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 148 is the method of any of embodiments 125-143, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 87% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 149 is the method of any of embodiments 135-148, wherein the xylan contains from about 70% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 150 is the method of any of embodiments 135-148, wherein the xylan contains from about 80% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 151 is the method of any of embodiments 135-148, wherein the xylan contains from about 90% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 152 is the method of any of embodiments 135-148, wherein the xylan contains from about 95% to about 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan.

Embodiment 153 is the method of any of embodiments 125-152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 60% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 154 is the method of any of embodiments 125-152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 30% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 155 is the method of any of embodiments 125-152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 5% to about 15% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 156 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-152, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 9% xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 157 is the method of any of embodiments 125-156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 25% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 158 is the method of any of embodiments 125-156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 40% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 159 is the method of any of embodiments 125-156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from about 0.1% to about 10% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 160 is the method of any of embodiments 125-156, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains approximately 4% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 161 is the method of any of embodiments 125-160, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 162 is the method of any of embodiments 125-161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 163 is the method of any of embodiments 125-161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 164 is the method of any of embodiments 125-161, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 165 is the method of any of embodiments 125-164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 166 is the method of any of embodiments 125-164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 167 is the method of any of embodiments 125-164, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by weight dry matter of glucomannan, maltose, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 168 is a method according to any of the embodiments

- 37 044879

125-167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 10% by weight of the dry matter of a sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 169 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 5% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 170 is the method of any of embodiments 125-167, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains less than 1% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 171 is the method of any of embodiments 125-170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 10% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 172 is the method of any of embodiments 125-170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 5% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 173 is the method of any of embodiments 125-170, wherein the sweetener composition contains less than 1% by weight of dry matter sugar or sugar polymer other than dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, xylan, or a hydrolysis product thereof.

Embodiment 174 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of from about 35 to about 75.

Embodiment 175 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of from about 40 to about 65.

Embodiment 176 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

Embodiment 177 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 42.

Embodiment 178 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 53.

Embodiment 179 is the method of any of embodiments 125-173, wherein the sweetener composition has a DE of 63.

Embodiment 180 is the method of any of embodiments 125-179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of from about 35 to about 50.

Embodiment 181 is the method of any of embodiments 125-179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of from about 40 to about 45.

Embodiment 182 is the method of any of embodiments 125-179, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of about 42.

Embodiment 183 is the method of any of embodiments 125-182, wherein the sweetener composition provides from about 175 to about 225 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 184 is the method of any of embodiments 125-182, wherein the sweetener composition provides from about 180 to about 200 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 185 is the method of any of embodiments 125-182, wherein the sweetener composition provides approximately 190 calories per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 186 is the method of any of embodiments 125-185, wherein the sweetener composition contains soluble fiber.

Embodiment 187 is the method of any of embodiments 125-186, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 20 g to about 60 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 188 is the method of any of embodiments 125-186, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 35 g to about 45 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 189 is the method of any of embodiments 125-186, wherein the sweetener composition contains approximately 41 g of soluble fiber per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 190 is the method of any of embodiments 125-189, wherein the sweetener composition contains prebiotics.

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Embodiment 191 is the method of any of embodiments 125-189, wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 2 g to about 6 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 192 is the method of any of embodiments 125-189 wherein the sweetener composition contains from about 3 g to about 5 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 193 is the method of any of embodiments 125-189, wherein the sweetener composition contains approximately 4 g of prebiotics per 100 g of sweetener composition.

Embodiment 194 is the method of any of embodiments 125-193, wherein the sweetener composition does not contain insoluble fiber.

Embodiment 195 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-194, wherein the glucose is at least partially in the form of dextrose.

Embodiment 196 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-195, wherein the sweetener composition is a solid.

Embodiment 197 is the method of any one of embodiments 125-196, wherein the sweetener composition is a syrup.

implementation implementation implementation

Embodiment 198 is the method of Embodiment 197, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2500 to about 3000 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 199 is the method of Embodiment 197, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2700 to about 2900 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 200 is the method of Embodiment 197, where the sweetener composition has a viscosity of about 2800 cP at 120°C.

Embodiment 201 is a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any of embodiments 125-200.

Embodiment 202 is a food product containing a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any one of embodiments 125-200.

Embodiment 203 is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any one of embodiments 125-200.

Embodiment 204 is a dietary supplement containing a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any of embodiments 125-200.

Embodiment 205 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any of embodiments 125-200 in a food product.

Embodiment 206 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any one of embodiments 125-200 in a pharmaceutical composition.

Embodiment 207 is the use of a sweetener composition prepared by the method of any of embodiments 125-200 in a dietary supplement.

Embodiment 208 is a food product containing:

an amount of a sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 68, wherein the food product has organoleptic properties comparable to a similar food product, containing an amount of an alternative sweetener composition other than the sweetener composition, wherein the amount of the sweetener composition in the food product is from about 50% to approximately 150% of the amount of the alternative sweetener composition in a similar food product.

Embodiment 209 is the method of claim 208, wherein the dextrose equivalent (DE) of the sweetener composition is from about 50% to about 150% of the DE of the alternative sweetener composition.

Embodiment 201 is a food product according to any one of claims 208-209, wherein the food product has a caloric content of no more than about 95% of the caloric content of a similar food product.

Embodiment 211 is a food product according to any one of claims 208-209, wherein the food product has a caloric content of no more than about 92% of the caloric content of a similar food product.

Embodiment 212 is a food product according to any one of claims 208-211, wherein a serving of the food product provides at least one gram more dietary fiber than a serving of a similar food product.

Embodiment 213 is a food product according to any one of claims 208-211, wherein a serving of the food product provides at least two grams more dietary fiber than a serving of a similar food product.

Embodiment 214 is a food product according to any one of claims 208 to 213, wherein DE

- 39 044879 the sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 68 is from about 30 to about 75.

Embodiment 215 is a food product according to any one of claims 208-213, wherein the DE of the sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1-68 is 42, 53 or 63.

Embodiment 216 is a sweetener composition comprising: glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan.

Embodiment 217 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216, where the glucose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan are derived from lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 218 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216 or 217 wherein glucose is derived from cellulose and xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan are derived from hemicellulose.

Embodiment 219 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 216-218 having a DE of 35 to 75.

Embodiment 220 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 216-219 having a DE of 42, 53, or 63.

Embodiment 221 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 216-220 having a DE of 53.

Embodiment 222 is the sweetener composition of Embodiment 216 where the viscosity is approximately 2800 at 120°F (49°C) (cP).

Embodiment 223 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 216-222, wherein the sweetener composition has fewer calories per gram than corn syrup with the same DE.

Embodiment 224 is a sweetener composition containing 50.4 wt% dextrose, 2.1 wt% xylose, 4.2 wt% xylooligosaccharide and 43.3 wt% xylan.

Embodiment 225 is a method for producing a sweetener from lignocellulosic biomass, comprising:

obtaining glucose;

obtaining purified hemicellulose; and combining glucose and purified hemicellulose.

Embodiment 226 is the method of Embodiment 225, where the glucose is dextrose produced by hydrolysis of cellulose.

Embodiment 227 is the method of Embodiment 225, where the purified hemicellulose consists of a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan.

Embodiment 228 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, where purified hemicellulose is produced by steaming lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 229 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, where purified hemicellulose is produced by enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 230 is the method of Embodiment 225 or 227, where purified hemicellulose is produced by steaming and enzymatic treatment of lignocellulosic biomass.

Embodiment 231 is the method of any one of embodiments 225-230, wherein glucose and a mixture of xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan are combined in a ratio to produce a sweetener having a desired dextrose equivalent (DE) value.

Embodiment 232 is the method of Embodiment 231 where the DE value is in the range of 35-75.

Embodiment 233 is the method of Embodiment 232, where DE is in the range of 40-64.

Embodiment 234 is the method of Embodiment 233, where DE is 53, 42, or 63.

Embodiment 235 is the method of any of embodiments 225-234, wherein glucose and purified hemicellulose are produced in the same preparation complex and/or from the same source of lignocellulosic material.

Embodiment 236 is the use of a sweetener according to any of embodiments 216-224 in a food product or beverage.

Embodiment 237 is the use of a sweetener according to any of embodiments 216-224 in a pharmaceutical or dietary supplement.

Embodiment 238 is a nutritional supplement containing purified hemicellulose, wherein the hemicellulose is purified through sequential activated carbon treatment (to remove organic impurities) and then two-step ion exchange (cationic/anionic) to remove inorganic impurities.

Embodiment 239 is the nutritional supplement of Embodiment 238 where the purified hemicellulose is partially hydrolyzed to produce a mixture of xylan, xylooligosaccharide and xylose.

- 40 044879

Embodiment 240 is the nutritional supplement of Embodiment 239, where the amount of xylan can range from 20-95%, the amount of xylooligosaccharide can range from 5 to 60%, and xylose can range from 1 to 40%.

Embodiment 241 is the nutritional supplement of Embodiment 239 or 240, wherein the purified hemicellulose further contains other sugar polymers such as glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, glucomannan, and xyloglucan, and sugars derived therefrom.

Embodiment 242 is the nutritional supplement of Embodiment 239 containing approximately 87% xylan, approximately 9% xylooligosaccharide, and approximately 4% xylose.

Embodiment 243 is the nutritional supplement of any of embodiments 238-241, wherein the purified hemicellulose is the source of soluble fiber.

Embodiment 244 is the nutritional supplement of any one of embodiments 238-241, wherein the purified hemicellulose is a source of prebiotics.

Embodiment 245 is the use of a nutritional supplement in accordance with any of embodiments 238-244 in a food product or beverage.

Embodiment 246 is the use of a nutritional supplement, in accordance with any of embodiments 238-244, in a pharmaceutical or nutritional supplement.

Embodiment 247 is the sweetener composition of any of embodiments 216-224, wherein xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan are the source of soluble fiber.

Embodiment 248 is the sweetener composition of any one of embodiments 216-224, wherein xylose, xylooligosaccharide, and xylan are the source of prebiotics.

Embodiment 249 is a purified hemicellulose composition containing from about 85% to about 95% by weight dry matter xylan, from about 5% to about 25% by weight dry matter xylooligosaccharide, and from about 0% to about 5% by weight dry matter xyloses.

Embodiment 250 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 85% to about 93% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 251 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 85% to about 91% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 252 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 85% to about 89% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 253 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 85% to about 87% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 254 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 87% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 255 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 89% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 256 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 91% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 257 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 93% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 258 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 87% to about 93% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 259 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 86% to about 88% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 260 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 88% to about 92% by weight xylan dry matter.

Embodiment 261 is the purified hemicellulose composition of embodiment 249, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 90% to about 95% by weight xylan dry matter.

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Embodiment 262 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 5% to about 20% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 263 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 5% to about 15% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 264 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 5% to about 10% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 265 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 5% to about 8% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 266 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 10% to about 25% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 267 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 15% to about 25% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 268 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 20% to about 25% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 269 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 10% to about 20% by weight of xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 270 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 6% to about 12% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 271 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-261, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 8% to about 10% by weight xyloo-oligosaccharide dry matter.

Embodiment 272 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0% to about 4% by weight xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 273 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0% to about 2% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 274 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0% to about 1% by weight xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 275 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0% to about 0.5% by weight xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 276 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0% to about 0.1% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 277 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.1% to about 5% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 278 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.5% to about 5% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 279 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 1% to about 5% by weight xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 280 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 2% to about 5% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 281 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 4% to about 5% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 282 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition comprises:

- 42 044879 about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of xylose dry matter.

Embodiment 283 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.1% to about 4% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 284 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.1% to about 2% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 285 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.1% to about 1% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 286 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.1% to about 0.5% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 287 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.5% to about 4% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 288 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.5% to about 2% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 289 is the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-271, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition contains from about 0.5% to about 1% xylose dry matter by weight.

Embodiment 290 is a sweetener composition comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-289.

Embodiment 291 is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-289.

Embodiment 292 is a dietary supplement comprising the purified hemicellulose composition of any one of embodiments 249-289.

Embodiment 293 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-289 in a food product.

Embodiment 294 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-289 in a sweetener composition.

Embodiment 295 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-289 in a pharmaceutical composition.

Embodiment 296 is the use of the purified hemicellulose composition of any of embodiments 249-289 in a dietary supplement.

Examples

Example 1.

A lignocellulose composition was prepared containing partially hydrolyzed hemicellulose combined with dextrose. The composition contains dextrose, xylose, xylooligosaccharide and xylan in the ratios shown in table. 1.

In table 1 compares the chemistry of a lignocellulosic biomass sweetener, lignocellulosic syrup, with a standard corn syrup sweetener. Lignocellulosic syrup was prepared from a partially hydrolyzed composition of hemicellulose and glucose derived from cellulose. Cellulose and hemicellulose were obtained from the same lignocellulosic biomass source. The lignocellulosic syrup composition contains 50.4% dextrose, 43.3% xylan, 4.2% xylooligosaccharide and 2.1% xylose, while corn syrup contains maltose and maltotriose but no xylose or xylooligosaccharides. Additionally, the highest saccharides found in corn syrup are C6 polysaccharides, which have a degree of polymerization of 2::4, compared to the C5 polysaccharide, xylan, found in lignocellulosic syrup.

Table 1

Lignocellulose syrup Corn syrup DE (dextrose equivalent) 53 Dextrose percentage (wt%) 50.4% Dry solids (OS) (% 80 80

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mass) Composition: Dextrose 50.4 28 Maltose 0 18 Maltotriose 0 13 Xylose 2.1 0 XOS 4.2 0 Higher saccharides 43.3 (xylan) 41 (DP4+ C6 saccharides)

DP4+=cmeneHb polymerization 2::4.

Example 2.

In table 2 compares the chemical and physical properties of lignocellulosic syrup containing 50.4% dextrose and corn syrup containing 53 DE. As shown in table. 2, the composition of lignocellulose syrup, as described in table. 1 has a viscosity of 2800 at 120°F (49°C) (cP), which is comparable to the 1800 viscosity observed for corn syrup. The viscosity of the compositions was measured using the standard procedure of ASTM Method D7042.

table 2

Lignocellulosic syrup Corn syrup Dry solids (OS) (%) 80 80 Viscosity at 120°F (49°C) (cP) 2800 1800 Calories/100 g 190 336 Soluble fiber (g/100g) 41 0 Insoluble fiber (g/100g) 0 0 Glycemic index (glucose=100) 42 105 Prebiotics (g/100 g) 4 0 Appearance Clear liquid Clear liquid Taste Sweet, mild Sweet, mild Smell Characteristic Characteristic

Although the viscosity of the two sweeteners is similar, lignocellulose syrup has significantly fewer calories than corn syrup. Lignocellulose syrup also has soluble fiber and a lower glycemic index. Lignocellulose syrup is also a source of prebiotics, while corn syrup is not.

A lower calorie sweetener that provides the same degree of sweetness and viscosity can be used to reduce the calorie content of foods in which it is included. This feature provides great benefits in the preparation of foods and beverages for use in reduced-calorie diets, which are preferred when attempting to lose weight or prevent weight gain.

Example 3.

Additionally, lignocellulose-derived glucose was found to have a lower net carbon footprint than starch-derived glucose. In particular, emissions from the production of dextrose from corn stover, compared with dextrose from corn kernels, are quantified and presented in Table 1. 3. As shown in table. 3, Corn stover-derived dextrose results in lower emission rates than grain-based dextrose. The reductions in GHG emissions are quantified as 0.61 tonnes CO2e/tonne dextrose.

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Table 3

Emissions for straw-based dextrose compared to grain-based dextrose

Corn stover dextrose (tonnes of CO2e/tonne dextrose) Dextrose from corn grain (tonnes of CO2e/tonne dextrose) Total emission reduction (tonnes CO2e/tonne dextrose) 0.34 0.95 0.61

(Emission reduction = corn grain emission - corn stover emission; positive value = total emission reduction).

Emission reductions per ton of hemicellulose and lignin were calculated and compared with emissions from sugarcane molasses. The results are presented in table. 4. As can be seen, hemicellulose and lignin lead to emission rates similar to those for sugarcane molasses. Emission intensities for hemicellulose and lignin were quantified as 0.17 and 0.04 tonnes CO2e/tonne of material higher than for sugarcane molasses.

Table 4

Hemicellulose and lignin compared to sugarcane molasses

Hemicellulose/lignin (tonnes of CO2e/tonne dextrose) Sugarcane molasses (tonnes of CO2e/tonne dextrose) Total emission reduction (tonnes CO2e/tonne dextrose) Hemicellulose compared to sugarcane molasses 0.50 0.33 -0.17 Lignin by compared to sugarcane molasses 0.36 0.33 -0.04

Emission rates are calculated based on a combination of factors including assumed one-time start-up and decommissioning emissions and current upstream emissions, on-site emissions and downstream emissions.

Example 4.

Wheat straw was treated using steam for a given temperature and time (activation step; see, for example, US Patent Application Publication No. US20180119188(A1)), rendering the virgin/crude hemicellulose water soluble.

The material was extracted with water and the liquid crude hemicellulose was removed by vacuum filtration.

The crude hemicellulose was then treated under alkaline-peroxide conditions and elevated temperature. The pH ranged from about 9.5 to about 11.5 (eg, about 10.5). A peroxide loading of 5-40% (eg 10-20%) (w/w) was used, based on the dry ACh content. The temperature was between 60°C and 80°C (eg, about 60°C) for a period of about 2 hours to about 4 hours (eg, about 2 hours). As a rule, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Typically, temperatures above 100°C are not used as this typically involves a positive pressure system which is more complex and expensive. This treatment was used to remove polyphenols and other colored compounds associated with lignin and degradation products of the ACh molecule. The molecular weight of ACh decreases during this step so that the reaction can be optimized for decolorization and molecular weight data. Molecular weight can influence physical properties (eg, viscosity, water/oil binding) as well as prebiotic properties (eg, certain gut bacteria break down ACh of a certain molecular weight differently). Molecular weight and degree of decolorization (e.g., degree of polyphenol remaining on the ACh molecule) can influence downstream purification; Membrane separation is the preferred method, but if the molecular weight of ACh is similar to the molecular weight of the colored compound(s) being removed, then other methods such as carbon or ionotherapy may be used.

- 45 044879 exchange (IX) (for example, adsorption separation methods). When using carbon or IX, polyphenols still attached to the ACh can be adsorbed on the carbon and IX, thus reducing the release (yield) of ACh.

Hemicellulose after alkali-peroxide treatment was then purified to remove impurities from AC as follows (the order of these stages can be changed):

a. Activated carbon - can remove colored compounds and degradation products, just like protein;

b. IX - can remove color, degradation products, salts;

c. Nanofiltration and/or reverse osmosis - can remove low molecular weight impurities and water (for example, to concentrate the product before either evaporation to syrup or drying).

AQ greater than 95% pure, with little or no polyphenols or color, was the final product and could be evaporated to a concentrated syrup or dried to a powder. Some properties of the resulting AC are shown in Table. 5.

Table 5

Property OH MW (Yes) <4000 Color Off white Polyphenol (%) <0.5% (estimated) Purity (%) >95% Antioxidant level (μmol TE/100 g) <10000(estimated)

Example 6.

An improved method has been developed for producing sweetener syrups from agricultural by-products such as corn stalks and wheat stover. The syrups have properties similar to conventional corn syrups, but with reduced calories and increased calories. The performance of 63DE syrup was evaluated in targeted applications relative to standard commercial ingredients.

63DE corn syrup is typically used in baking and confectionery applications to provide sweetness, texture and binding. The performance of Comet 63DE syrup relative to commercial 63DE corn syrup was evaluated in pie filling, gummy toffee, soft cookie, and cereal bar applications.

Results:

1. Comet 63DE syrup has shown good functionality in pie filling, gummy toffee, soft cookie and cereal bar applications.

2. Comet syrup resulted in noticeably less spread in soft chocolate chip cookies.

3. Moderate (10%) reductions in calories were observed in Comet's pie filling (89 g per serving) and cereal bars, but not in chewy toffees (40 g per serving) or cookies (30 g per serving).

4. A moderate reduction in sugar was also observed in Comet's pie fillings and chewy toffees.

5. An increase in fiber (1-3 g per serving) was observed in all Comet applications tested.

6. Replacing Comet's syrup and solids with all of the conventional corn syrup and sugar used in applications such as gummy toffees and cereal bars has the potential to provide more calories, carbohydrates and less sugars, while increasing fiber content.

Materials and methods:

Cherry pie filling.

Cherry pie filling formulas are shown in table. 6.

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Table 6

Control corn syrup 63DE Syrup 63DE Comet Provider Formula Weight Syrup solids Formula Weight Syrup solids Ingredient (%) (G) (G) (%) (G) (G) Dark cherries IQF Wild Harvest 49.93% 250.00 49.35% 250.00 Water 26.66% 133.50 25.58% 129.60 Corn syrup 63DE (80% solids) Cargill 11.68% 58.50 40.95 0.00% 0.00 Syrup 63DE (60% solids) Comet 0.00% 0.00 13.47% 68.25 40.95 Sugar Domino 8.29% 41.50 8.19% 41.50 Red food coloring McCormick 0.14% 0.70 0.14% 0.70 Pure food starch GPC 3.10% 15.50 3.06% 15.50 Salt Cargill 0.10% 0.50 0.10% 0.50 Lemon acid Tate & Lyle 0.10% 0.50 0.10% 0.50 Total 100.00 500.70 100.00 506.55

Method for cherry pie filling:

1. Mix starch and 30% water thoroughly. Leave it standing.

2. Mix sugar, corn syrup, salt, citric acid, 20% cherries and the remaining 70% water. Slowly bring to a boil.

3. Add starch suspension. Continue heating to 190°F (88°C) while stirring.

4. Add remaining cherries and red food coloring. Stir until the cherries and coloring are completely incorporated.

Soft cookies with chocolate chips. The formulas for soft chocolate chip cookies are shown in the table. 7.

Table 7

Ingredients Control corn syrup 63DE Syrup 63DE Comet Ingredient Provider Solids Formula Weight Total Solids Water Formula Weight Total Solids Water (%) (%) (G) (G) (G) (%) (G) (G) (G) Light Brown sugar S&N, retail sale 12.54% 62.70 12.54% 62.70 Confectionery fat, universal Cargill 100% 11.81% 59.05 59.05 11.81% 59.05 59.05 Water 0% 2.42% 12.10 12.10 1.34% 6.71 6.71 Corn syrup 63DE Cargill 80.00% 12.54% 62.70 50.16 12.54 Syrup 63DE Comet 60.00% 16.72% 83.60 50.16 33.44 Whole powder eggs Oskaloosa Food Products Corp. 100.00% 1.08% 5.39 5.39 1.08% 5.39 5.39 Water 0.00% 3.10% 15.51 15.51 0.00% 0.00 Vanilla extract McCormick 0.70% 3.50 0.70% 3.50

Flour, all-purpose Gold Medal, retail sale 26.76% 133.80 26.76% 133.80 Baking soda Church & Dwight 0.50% 2.50 0.50% 2.50 Salt Cargill 0.11% 0.55 0.11% 0.55 Semi-sweet chocolate chips Nestle 28.44% 142.20 28.44% 142.20 Total 100.00% 500.00 114.60 40.15 100.00% 500.00 114.60 40.15

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Way:

1. Beat shortening and sugar until creamy in a KitchenAid mixer for 30 seconds on speed 1, then 1 minute on speed 4. Add the eggs, corn syrup, vanilla and water, then mix again for 30 seconds on speeds 1 and 1. minutes at speed 4.

2. Mix flour, soda and salt. Mix on low speed until dough forms, scraping bowl as needed.

3. Mix in the chocolate chips on low speed for 15 seconds or until evenly dispersed in the batter.

4. Place 25-27 g balls of dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake at 350°F (177°C) for 11 minutes. Cool for 1 to 2 minutes before removing from pan, then place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Chewable toffees. Chewable toffee formulas are shown in Table. 8.

Table 8 Ingredient Corn Syrup 63DE Cargill Syrup 63DE Comet Solids Formula Weight Solids Formula Weight Solids Ingredient Provider (%) (%) (G) (G) (%) (G) (G) Water 4.80 25.20 0.00 0.00 Sugar Domino 40.56 213.00 40.56 213.00 Corn syrup 43DE Cargill 23.74 124.65 23.74 124.65 Corn syrup 63DE Cargill 82.50% 12.83 67.35 55.56 0.00 0.00 Syrup 63DE Comet Comet 60.00% 0.00 0.00 17.63 92.60 55.56 Coconut oil, organic Hain Celestial 7.20 37.80 7.20 37.80 Sweetened condensed milk Eagle 10.15 53.30 10.15 53.30 Lecithin Cargill 0.19 1.00 0.19 1.00 Red food coloring McCormick 0.06 0.30 0.06 0.30 Fragrance 0.48 2.50 0.48 2.50 Total 100.00 525.10 100.00 525.15

Way.

1. Mix water, sugar, syrups, coconut oil and lecithin in a frying pan.

2. While stirring constantly, heat to 252°F (122°C).

3. Transfer mixture to preheated (150°F (66°C)) KitchenAid mixer bowl.

4. Add sweetened condensed milk and mix on speed 4 for two minutes.

5. Add flavoring and coloring. Mix on speed 4 for thirteen minutes.

6. Pour the mixture onto a cold marble board to cool.

7. Cut into pieces and wrap.

Cereal bars. Cereal bar formulas are shown in Tables 9 and 10.

Table 9

Control formula:

1 Control bars Ingredient Provider % G original (g) cooked (g) hard substances (%) Syrup Corn Syrup 63/43DE Clearsweet (80.0% solids) Cargill 58.5 117.0 hard substances 93.6 87.2 water 23.4 23.0 -0.4 g water 63DE Comet Syrup (60.0% solids) Comet Briefly heated to dissolve Sugar S&N, retail sales 32.0 64.0 64.0 64.0 Salt Morton retail 1.0 2.0 Canola oil Essential Everyday, retail 6.5 13.0 Lecithin Topcithin UB Cargill 1.0 2.0 Vanilla McCormick Retail 1.0 2.0

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Total amount of syrup 100.0 200.0 181 174.2 86.8 target solids substances Bar Traditional oatmeal Essential Everyday, retail 35.0 87.5 Rice flakes Kellogg's retail 10.0 25.0 Syrup 87 degrees Brix (from above) 35.0 87.5 Milk chocolate crumbs Nestle Toll House, retail sales 20.0 50.00

Table 10

Comet formula:

2 Comet bars Ingredient Provider % G original (g) cooked (g) solids (%) Syrup corn syrup 63/43DE Clearsweet (80.0% solids) Cargill 63DE Comet Syrup (60.0% solids) Comet 72.7 145.4 hard substances 87.2 87.2 water 58.2 24.0 -34.2 g water Sugar S&N, retail sales 32.0 72.0 72.0 72.0 Salt Morton retail 1.0 2.0 Canola oil Essential Everyday, retail 6.5 13.0 Lecithin Topcithin UB Cargill 1.0 2.0 Vanilla McCormick Retail 1.0 2.0 Total amount of syrup 118.2 236.4 217.4 183.2 86.9 target solids substances Bar Traditional oatmeal Essential Everyday, retail 35.0 87.5 Rice flakes Kellogg's retail 10.0 25.0 Syrup 87 degrees Brix (from above) 35.0 87.5 Milk chocolate crumbs Nestle Toll House, retail sales 20.0 50.00 Whole bar 100.0 250.0

Way.

1. Weigh the chocolate chips in a small cup and place in the freezer.

2. Weigh oatmeal and rice cereal into a bowl. Leave it standing.

3. Weigh sugar and syrup into a small saucepan.

4. Cook syrup over medium heat until target solids content (weight loss) is reached.

5. Add salt, oil, lecithin and vanillin to the boiled syrup and mix well.

6. Weigh syrup into oat and rice mixture. Mix well.

7. Add frozen chocolate chips and stir.

8. Press into a greased pan. Cool, cut and wrap bars.

The nutritional value.

Nutrition panels were obtained using Genesis software and an ingredient database. The nutritional profile of Comet 63DE was adjusted to 60% solids and used in the analysis.

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results

Cherry pie filling.

In this study, 63DE Comet syrup was evaluated based on equal syrup solids to a control commercial 63DE corn syrup in a cherry pie filling application. The control syrup had 82.5% solids, and the 63DE Comet syrup sample had 60% solids, so some water was added to the control formula to equalize the solids. The appearance and texture of the Comet 63DE pie filling was good and comparable to the control during filling preparation as well as when applied to the final baked pie (Figures 2 and 3).

Nutritional information was calculated for a 1/3 cup (89 g) serving of each filling. The analysis shows that the Comet pie filling has 10% fewer calories (100 vs. 110), slightly less sugar (21 g vs. 24 g) and 3 g of additional fiber per serving (Figure 4).

Yogurt with fruit on the bottom.

A theoretical calculation was carried out to determine what properties a plain strawberry yogurt with fruit at the bottom, formulated with sugar, would have against 63DE Comet syrup. First, a yogurt composition matching the serving size and nutritional profile of Dannon Strawberry Fruit Bottom Yogurt was obtained using Genesis nutrition analysis software (Table 11).

Next, 63DE Comet syrup (78% dry solids) was substituted for sugar and water at equivalent sweetness using the assumption that Comet 63DE is 70% as sweet as sugar, like conventional 63DE corn syrup.

Table 11

CONTROL YOGURT WITH SUGAR YOGURT COMET Ingredient % Ingredient % Low-fat yogurt without additives 75.0 Low-fat yogurt without additives 75.0 Sugar 9.0 Syrup 63DE Comet 12.8 Water 7.0 Water 3.2 Fresh strawberries 7.0 Fresh strawberries 7.0 Modified food starch 2.0 Modified food starch 2.0 Total 100.0 Total 100.0

By substituting Comet, calories were reduced by 8% (120 vs. 130 kcal), sugars were reduced by 18% (18 g vs. 22 g), and fiber content was increased by 5 g per serving. Total carbohydrate content increased slightly, from 25 g to 26 g per serving. The nutritional panels are shown in Figs. 5 for comparison.

Soft cookies with chocolate chips.

Corn syrups are used in cookie formulations to provide a soft and chewy texture. In this study, Comet syrup was compared to 63DE corn syrup at equal solids and water contents. No differences were observed in appearance or when handling raw dough.

In baked cookies, Comet syrup produced less spreading than the control syrup. The average diameter (n=11) of the Comet cookies was 2.2 inches (5.6 cm), compared to 2.6 inches (6.6 cm) for the control cookies (Table 12), and this difference was visually obvious ( figures 6 and 7). The Comet cookies had a more domed appearance and a denser texture. The reduced spreading observed for the Comet biscuits can likely be attributed to the fiber in the Comet syrup. It may be possible to make formulation modifications to improve the spreading of Comet cookies. There were no differences in browning or baking time between treatments.

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Table 12

Syrup 63DE Comet Control syrup 63DE Dough 25-27 g Dough 25-27 g Cookie Diameter (inches) Cookie Diameter (inches) 2.20 2.70 2.10 2.55 2.00 2.55 2.20 2.70 2.20 2.45 2.25 2.60 2.25 2.50 2.15 2.50 2.20 2.50 2.25 2.55 2.25 2.55

Average 2.19 Average 2.56

Nutritional value was calculated for both cookie formulations (Figure 8). There were no differences in the calorie or sugar content of the cookies, but the Comet cookies did contain 2 g of fiber, compared to 1 g of the control.

Chewable toffees.

63DE corn syrup has been used for sweetness, texture and to prevent sweetness in gummy candy applications. In this study, Comet syrup was substituted for 63DE corn syrup at equal solids levels in a mixture of 63DE and 42DE to produce a prototype gummy candy. The Comet syrup blend performed well in this application and was comparable to the control 63DE corn syrup in terms of appearance and texture (FIG. 9).

No differences were observed in calorie content per 40 g serving, but the Comet Toffees had slightly lower sugar content (27 g vs. 28 g) and 2 g fiber compared to none in the control (Figure 10).

Since a significant amount of the sugar and calories in this gummy candy formulation come from conventional 42DE corn syrup, a theoretical calculation was performed to evaluate the effect of substituting Comet 42DE syrup in this gummy candy formulation. This calculation showed that potential reductions in calorie content (130 vs. 160), total carbohydrate content (32 vs. 34) and sugar content (26 vs. 28) could be achieved using a combination of both Comet 63DE and Comet 42DE syrups (Figure 10).

Cereal bars.

Corn syrups are typically used in cereal bars, granola bars, protein bars, etc. for sweetness, binding and texture. Both syrups 63DE, 42DE and their combinations are used, depending on the specific composition of the bar and the desired properties. In this study, 63DE Comet syrup was evaluated against conventional 63DE corn syrup, at equal solids content, when applied to a cereal bar.

Because the 63DE Comet syrup had a lower solids content than the commercial control, it was cooked longer to remove more moisture and achieve a solids content (87%) equivalent to the control binder syrup. The Comet binder syrup looked creamy white, tasted sweet, and did a good job of binding the bar particles together. The initial performance of 63DE Comet syrup in these applications appears to be comparable to the control (Figure 11).

A comparison of nutrition panels showed that bars made with Comet 63DE had lower calorie content (150 vs. 160) and higher fiber content (4 g vs. 2 g). No differences were observed in total carbohydrate content and sugar content (Fig. 12).

Example 7.

The wheat straw is steamed at about 110°C to about 150°C (eg, about 130°C) for about 5 minutes to about 30 minutes (eg, about 15 minutes) at a pressure of about 10 psig. inch (69 kPa) to approximately 20 psi. inch (138 kPa) (for example, approximately 15 psi

- 51 044879 (103 kPa)) at the pre-activation stage. The steam to wheat straw ratio is from about 0.1 to about 1.0 (e.g., from about 0.1 to about 0.8, from about 0.1 to about 0.5, from about 0.1 to about 0, 3, from about 0.3 to about 1, from about 0.5 to about 1, from about 0.8 to about 1, from about 0.3 to about 0.5, from about 0.3 to about 0.8 or from about 0.5 to about 0.8). The straw is then steamed at about 200° C. to about 240° C. (eg, about 222° C.) for about 5 minutes to about 20 minutes (eg, about 10 minutes) at a pressure of about 300 psig. inch (2068 kPa) to approximately 350 psi. inch (2413 kPa) (for example, from about 305 to about 335 psi (from about 2103 to about 2310 kPa)). The steam to wheat straw ratio is from about 0.1 to about 2.0 (e.g., from about 0.1 to about 1.5, from about 0.1 to about 1.0, from about 0.1 to about 0, 5, from about 0.5 to about 2.0, from about 1.0 to about 2.0, from about 1.5 to about 2.0, from about 0.5 to about 1.5, from about 0, 5 to about 1.0 or from about 1.0 to about 1.5).

The material was extracted with water at a temperature of from about 25°C to about 95°C (e.g., from about 25°C to about 75°C, from about 25°C to about 50°C, from about 50°C to about 95°C , from about 75°C to about 95°C, from about 25°C to about 50°C, or from about 25°C to about 75°C), and the liquid crude hemicellulose was removed by vacuum filtration.

Example 8.

The crude hemicellulose (eg, the crude hemicellulose from Example 7) is subjected to processing using alkali-peroxide conditions and elevated temperature (also called decolorization). The pH is from about 9.5 to about 11.5 (eg, about 10.5). A peroxide loading of 5-40% (eg 10-20%) (w/w) is used, based on the dry AQ content. In some cases, the temperature is between 60°C and 80°C (eg, about 60°C) for a period of about 2 hours to about 4 hours (eg, about 2 hours). As a rule, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Typically, temperatures above 100°C are not used because this typically involves a pressurization system, which is more complex and expensive, to remove polyphenols and other colored compounds associated with lignin and degradation products of the ACh molecule.

Hemicellulose after alkali-peroxide treatment is then purified to remove impurities from AC as follows (the order of these stages can be changed):

a. Activated carbon - can remove colored compounds and degradation products, just like protein;

b. IX - can remove color, degradation products, salts;

With. Nanofiltration and/or reverse osmosis - can remove low molecular weight impurities and water (for example, to concentrate the product before either evaporation to syrup or drying).

In some cases, steps a-c are carried out in the order: a, b, c. In some cases, IX involves two-step ion exchange. AQ greater than 95% pure, with little or no polyphenols or color, is the final product and can be evaporated to a concentrated syrup or dried to a powder. Some properties of the resulting AC are shown in Table. 13.

Table 13

Property OH MW (Yes) <4000 Color Off white Polyphenol(%) <0.5% (estimated) Purity (%) >95% Antioxidant level (μmol TE/100 g) <10000 (estimated)

Example 9.

The crude hemicellulose preparation was obtained from a commercial supplier. A crude hemicellulose preparation (which may have polyphenols attached and a higher molecular weight, e.g., higher than about 20 kDa (e.g., about 30 to about 300 kDa), and may have an alkaline pH (e.g., about 9 to about 14)) processed using alkaline conditions, either in the presence or absence of an oxidizing agent and additives that may improve the effectiveness of the oxidizing agent, and elevated temperature. In some cases, the temperature is between 60°C and 200°C (for example, approx.

- 52 044879 90°C) for a period of 30 minutes - 8 hours (eg approximately 2-4 hours). As a rule, the higher the temperature, the shorter the time used. Typically, temperatures above 100°C are not used as this typically involves a positive pressure system which is more complex and expensive. The resulting hemicellulose has a molecular weight (M _w ) of about 1500 to about 4000 Da.

Example 10.

The hemicellulose obtained in Example 9 is combined with hemicellulose that has been decolorized but not otherwise purified (eg, the decolorized hemicellulose from Example 8). The combined hemicellulose is then treated with activated carbon, purified using ion exchange, and purified using reverse osmosis with nanofiltration, such as in Example 8.

Example 11.

The hemicellulose obtained in Example 9 is decolorized, treated with activated carbon, purified using ion exchange, and purified using reverse osmosis with nanofiltration as described in Example 8.

Other embodiments

One or more of the inventions may be embodied in any combination or subcombination of elements or method steps described in any part of this specification, including the claims.

Although the above description includes reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Any examples presented herein are included for purposes of illustration only and are not limiting in any way. The scope of the claims appended hereto is not intended to be limited to the preferred embodiments set forth in the above description, but is to be given the broadest interpretation consistent with this specification as a whole. The entire contents of all prior art disclosures cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (14)

CLAIM 1. A sweetener composition containing: from 40% to 60% by weight of dry matter glucose; and from 40% to 60% by weight of purified hemicellulose dry matter, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains: from 82% to 87% by weight of xylan dry matter; from 8% to 9% by weight of xylooligosaccharide dry matter; and 4% to 5% xylose dry matter by weight. 2. The sweetener composition according to claim 1, wherein the sweetener composition contains from 45% to 55% by weight of dry matter glucose. 3. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the purified hemicellulose contains from 85% to 87% by weight of xylan dry matter. 4. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the xylan contains from 90% to 99% by weight of dry matter arabinoxylan. 5. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sweetener composition has a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 35 to 75. 6. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sweetener composition has a dextrose equivalent (DE) of 42, 53 or 63. 7. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sweetener composition has a glycemic index of 35 to 50. 8. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sweetener composition provides from 175 to 225 calories per 100 g of the sweetener composition. 9. The sweetener composition according to claim 1, wherein the sweetener composition has a viscosity of 2700 to 2900 cP at a temperature of 120°C. 10. A sweetener composition containing: from 48% to 53% by weight of dry matter dextrose; from 41% to 45% by weight of xylan dry matter; from 4% to 5% by weight of dry matter xylooligosaccharides; and 2% to 2.5% xylose dry matter by weight. 11. The sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the purified hemicellulose composition has a molecular weight (Mw) of less than 4000 Da. 12. A method for producing a sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9, including: obtaining glucose; obtaining purified hemicellulose; and combining glucose and purified hemicellulose to form a sweetener composition. - 53 044879 13. The method according to claim 12, where 1-1.5 parts by weight of dry matter of glucose are combined with 1 part by weight of dry matter of purified hemicellulose. 14. A food product containing a sweetener composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11.