JPH08280400A - Maltitol crystal-containing molasses - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain the subject crystal, having a crushed dense crystal structure viewable under an electron microscope at a specific magnification, improved in apparent specific gravity and oil absorption and useful for tablets, etc., without scattering fine powder by cooling and kneading an aqueous solution of maltitol with an extruder, etc. CONSTITUTION: An aqueous solution of maltitol having 80-99wt.% content of the maltitol in the solid matter at 80-98wt.% concentration is continuously fed to the first zone of an extruder having the slender cooling and kneading zones comprising the continuous plural zones, cooled and kneaded at 50-90 deg.C. A seed crystal in an amount of 3-80wt.% based on the extruder capacity is added to the second zone where the temp. of the aqueous solution of the maltitol therein attains 50-80 deg.C and kneaded. The resultant solution is cooled and kneaded in the continuous third zone and further cooled and kneaded in the final zone to 25-60 deg.C and the formed magma is then extruded from an extrusion nozzle to afford the objective crystal, viewable under a scanning type electron microscope at 1000 times magnification and having a crushed dense crystal structure and 0.650-0.750 apparent specific gravity and 7.0-17% oil absorption of the crystal powder, containing molasses and having 50-20 mesh size.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to maltitol-containing crystals,
More particularly, it relates to maltitol-containing crystals having improved physical properties.

[0003]

[Prior art]

Among sugar alcohols, sorbitol, mannitol and the like have long been known to exist in the form of crystals and honey crystals, and various production methods thereof have already been known.

On the other hand, maltitol is more likely to form a supersaturated state than mannitol or sorbitol whose crystals have been known so far, and thus it is extremely difficult to obtain crystals to produce the crystals or the honey crystals. The method was recently invented, and until then, as in Jiro Nikuni, Handbook of Starch Science, p.461, lines 14 and 17-18 (published July 20, 1972, Asakura Shoten). , It was considered impossible to produce crystals.

Crystals of maltitol having a melting point of 146.5 to 147 ° C. or crystals of maltitol containing maltitol, maltotriitol, maltotetriitol, etc. as honey components in addition to maltitol were first produced in 1981, and The method is introduced in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 63-2439.

[0007] Maltitol-containing crystals having a melting point lower than that of maltitol crystals because it contains components other than maltitol as a honey component are more commercially available than crystals by the honey method because of their excellent properties and economical reasons. Occupy an important position in.

However, since maltitol syrup-containing crystals have been discovered for a short period of time and are likely to form an extremely supersaturated state, there are many unclear points regarding the physical behavior during the production of syrup-containing crystals. However, the manufacturing method was limited.

The method for producing maltitol-containing crystals which is introduced in the above-mentioned patent gazette contains maltitol having a purity of 65% (hereinafter,% means% by weight unless otherwise specified), preferably in a concentration of About 65-95% aqueous solution,
The seed crystal is allowed to coexist to produce a musket, and the method itself is subjected to any of the known block pulverization method, fluidized drying method, and spray drying method.

For example, in the case of the spray drying method, a mass kit having a concentration of 70 to 85% and a crystallization rate of 25 to 60% is usually sprayed from a nozzle by a high-pressure pump to a temperature at which the crystal powder does not melt, for example, 60 to 100. It is a method of aging with hot air of ℃ for about 1 to 20 hours.

In addition, the block pulverization method is usually performed with a water content of 5
~ 15%, crystallization rate 10 ~ 60% mass kit.
Let stand for 5 to 5 days to crystallize and solidify the whole in block form,
It is a method of crushing this by a method such as crushing or cutting and drying.

Among these methods, the block crushing method has complicated steps, but each step can be performed relatively easily, and the scale of equipment and the process cost can be smaller than those of the other two methods. For this reason, it is used as the main manufacturing method.

Maltitol-containing crystals obtained by these methods have an apparent specific gravity of about 0.43 to 0.59 when made into powder of 20 to 50 mesh and are lighter than other sugar alcohols such as sorbitol. The oil absorption was as high as 15 to 22%, and it had a relatively sparse porous crystal structure when observed with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of about 1000 times.

[0014]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

The maltitol-containing crystal produced by the above-mentioned conventional method has many problems in its physical properties.

For example, maltitol-containing malt crystals produced by a conventional method (a) have a small apparent specific gravity, and therefore have a large volume, and when a packaging material or packaging container for other sugar alcohol is used, an essentially constant amount is obtained. Since the container that can hold the goods cannot be completely filled, a dedicated packaging material or packaging container is required, and a large space and a transport tool are also required for storage and transportation. (b) Since the powder is light, scattering of fine powder is likely to occur, limiting its use. (c) Since the crystal structure is sparse, the tablet hardness tends to be insufficient when directly compressed.

Further, many problems remain in the manufacturing methods such as the fluidized drying method and the spray drying method which have been conventionally introduced, and the block crushing method which has been conventionally used.

For example, the fluidized-drying method is a method in which maltitol crystals or syrup-containing crystals are used as a fluidized bed, and an aqueous solution of maltitol is sprayed onto the fluidized bed to granulate and dry.
Since the crystallization rate of maltitol is slow and the fluidized drying process requires a relatively long time, it is necessary to enlarge the equipment and there is a problem that mass production is difficult.

When the spray-drying method is used, it is difficult to control the crystallization rate when preparing the maltitol mass kit, and the crystals are sufficiently formed by spraying the maltitol mass kit in dry air. It does not grow and the ratio of glassy solid component increases, and due to that, the generated powder adheres to the wall of the dryer and cannot be manufactured continuously, and there are problems such as increased equipment cost. Was there.

On the other hand, the block crushing method is a method which is currently adopted, but, for example, (a) step is complicated and each step takes a long time, (b) Therefore, a large amount of work-in-process products during crystallization is required. Containers and places to store are required, (c) Hygiene considerations, facilities, buildings, etc. are required when storing during the process, (d) Each process is labor-intensive and automation It was a method that included many problems such as difficulty in labor saving and labor saving.

Accordingly, these various problems have been solved,
It has been desired to develop maltitol syrup-containing crystals with improved conventional physical properties.

[0022]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The inventors of the present invention have studied earnestly the physical properties of maltitol-containing crystal and the method for producing the maltitol-containing crystal, and as a result, using an extruder having an elongated cooling / kneading zone composed of a plurality of continuous zones, By producing a plastic maltitol magma from an aqueous solution of Thor,
In a very short time, with small equipment and easy labor saving,
The present invention has been completed by succeeding in producing maltitol syrup-containing crystals with improved physical properties by a labor-free method.

That is, according to the present invention, firstly, a) that after crushing and classification has a crushed, dense crystal structure which can be seen with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 1000 times, b ) The apparent specific gravity of the mash-containing crystal powder of 50 mesh or more and 20 mesh or less after crushing and classification is 0.650 to 0.750, c) The oil absorption of the mash-containing crystal powder of 50 mesh or more and 20 mesh or less after crushing and classification Is from 7.0% to 17%, and d) Maltitol-containing crystals having a melting point lower than that of maltitol crystals.

Secondly, the maltitol-containing crystal according to the first aspect, wherein the maltitol content in the solid is 80-9.
Maltitol syrup containing 8% by weight and the other of 0.5 to 15% by weight of sorbitol, 1.5 to 10% by weight of maltotriitol and a sugar alcohol having a degree of polymerization of DP ≧ 3 or more. crystal.

Thirdly, the maltitol aqueous solution is continuously supplied to an extruder having an elongated cooling / kneading zone, and cooled / kneaded in the presence of seed crystals to produce maltitol magma, and then an extrusion nozzle. The maltitol-containing crystal according to any one of the above 1 or 2, which is produced by continuously extruding the maltitol.

Fourth, an aqueous maltitol solution having a concentration of 80-98% by weight and a solid content of maltitol of 80-99% by weight is extruded having an elongated cooling / kneading zone consisting of a plurality of continuous zones. It is continuously supplied to the first zone of the machine, cooled and kneaded to 50 to 90 ° C, and the second maltitol aqueous solution in the second zone reaches 50 to 80 ° C.
Seed crystals of 3 to 80% by weight with respect to the extruded amount are continuously or intermittently added and kneaded, further cooled and kneaded in the continuous third zone, and cooled to 25 to 60 ° C in the final zone. The maltitol-containing malt crystal according to the above 1, which is produced by continuously extruding the formed maltitol magma after kneading through an extrusion nozzle.

Fifth, a) 0.5 to 15% by weight of sorbitol and 8% maltitol at a solid content of 80 to 98% by weight.
0 to 98% by weight and maltotriitol and sugar alcohol having a molecular weight (DP ≧ 3) or more of 1.5 to 10% by weight
The maltitol aqueous solution having the composition of 10 is continuously supplied to the first zone of an extruder having an elongated cooling / kneading zone composed of a plurality of continuous zones, and the mixture is cooled / kneaded to 50 to 90 ° C. In the second zone where the Tall aqueous solution reached 50 to 80 ° C., 3 to 80% by weight of the seed crystal was continuously or intermittently added and kneaded with respect to the extrusion amount, and further in the continuous third zone. Cool and knead, 25 in the final zone
After cooling and kneading to -60 ° C, the first step of extruding the formed maltitol magma from the extrusion nozzle, b) Extruding maltitol magma at 15-80 ° C for 5
Second step of aging for ~ 30 minutes, c) Then coarsely crush the aged maltitol magma,
The maltitol-containing malt crystal according to the above-mentioned first item, which is produced by sequentially passing through each of the third step of drying at 80 to 115 ° C. for 60 minutes or more, pulverizing and classifying.

In the present invention, after crushing and classification,
Maltitol maltite crystals with improved physical properties, having a crushed, dense crystal structure, which can be seen under a scanning electron microscope at 1000 × magnification.

Further, according to the present invention, the product after crushing and classification has a crushed, dense crystal structure which can be seen with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 1000 times, and is excellent in specific gravity and oil absorption. Maltitol honey crystals.

Here, "excellent specific gravity" means that the apparent specific gravity of the syrup-containing crystal powder of 50 mesh or more and 20 mesh or less after pulverization and classification is 0.550 to 0.850, preferably 0.650. Those in the range of 0.750 are shown.

The term "excellent in oil absorption" means that the oil absorption of the honey-containing crystal powder of 50 to 20 mesh after pulverization and classification is 5.0% to 19%, preferably 7.0%.
Those in the range of -17% are shown.

The specific gravity can be measured by a conventionally known method.

[0034]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The contents of the present invention will be described in detail below.

The extruder which can be used in the present invention has an elongated cooling / kneading zone consisting of a plurality of continuous zones. The raw material is continuously introduced, and seed crystals are continuously or intermittently introduced. It is necessary to have a structure that can form a plastic maltitol magma and continuously discharge the magma generated from the final cooling zone, but if it has a structure that satisfies those conditions, its shape and kneading, The method of cooling, transportation and discharge does not matter.

Here, the plurality of continuous zones is a first zone in which a raw material is introduced and cooled / kneaded, a second zone in which a seed crystal is introduced and cooled / kneaded, and a third zone in which a seed crystal is cooled / kneaded. Although it is composed of a zone after the zone and a final zone, when the third zone and the subsequent zones are a single zone, the third zone itself is the final zone.

For example, as a structure having a kneading / cooling / transporting function, a structure of a single-screw screw type extruder, a structure of a twin-screw screw type extruder, a structure of a rotary gear type pump, and a tubular structure with fixed blades. There is a structure such as a piston that can be inserted into a transportation machine, and other structures, and any of them can be adopted in the present invention.

Among these various types of equipment, commercially available extruders can be used to advantage in achieving the object of the present invention. Examples thereof include Alpha riser manufactured by Suehiro Iron Works Co., Ltd. and Kurimoto Co., Ltd. KRC Kneader manufactured by Iron Works, Ltd.
Twin screw extruder made by Kowa Industry Co., Ltd.
There are various food extruders manufactured and sold by Japan Steel Works.

The maltitol aqueous solution that can be used in the present invention has only to have such a quality as to form a plastic maltitol magma by cooling in the presence of seed crystals, and the origin of the raw material and the manufacturing method are not specified. However, among them, it is preferable that the maltitol content in the solid content is 80 to 99% and the solid content concentration is 80 to 98% because maltitol magma is easily formed.

In particular, sorbitol 0.5-15
%, Maltitol 80-98% and maltotriitol and higher molecular weight (DP ≧ 3) sugar alcohols 1.
A sugar composition having a sugar composition of 5 to 10% and a concentration of 80 to 98% is likely to continuously form maltitol magma, which is more preferable for achieving the object of the present invention. It is more preferable that the concentration is 85 to 97%.

Among the components of the maltitol aqueous solution, DP
When the sugar alcohol of ≧ 3 increases more than 10%, maltitol magma having a sufficient hardness is hard to be formed. Therefore, it is preferable to avoid the increase of maltotriitol and the sugar alcohol component having a higher molecular weight.

Furthermore, the maltitol aqueous solution used in the present invention does not necessarily have to be a clear liquid, and crystals may be precipitated and suspended before being supplied to the extruder.

On the other hand, in practicing the present invention, the maltitol aqueous solution is continuously fed to the extruder, and the temperature of the maltitol aqueous solution at that time is 50 to 150 ° C. Is preferable in the sense of preventing the occurrence of coloration due to decomposition or charring, and further, the viscosity of the aqueous solution of maltitol is lowered, the fluidity is increased, and it is easy to handle, and after being introduced into the extruder, It is also preferable because it is a temperature that can be easily adjusted to cool to a temperature at which tall magma is easily formed.

The feeding rate of the aqueous solution of maltitol largely depends on the internal capacity of the extruder used, the residence time, the cooling capacity, the stirring capacity, etc., but for example, a commercially available extruder for food products manufactured by Japan Steel Works, Ltd. TEX38FS which is
When the S-20AW-V type is used, 1 per hour
A supply rate of about 0 to 30 kg is preferable because sufficient cooling and kneading can be obtained and maltitol magma to be discharged has sufficient hardness.

The maltitol aqueous solution is introduced into the first zone of the extruder, cooled and kneaded, and then transported to the second zone continuous with the first zone. The preferred temperature range in the first zone is 50 to 90. ℃.

If the temperature of the aqueous solution of maltitol in the first zone is less than 50 ° C. or exceeds 90 ° C., good formation of maltitol magma cannot be expected, which is not preferable.

Next, seed crystals are added in the second zone of the extruder, but the seed crystals do not necessarily have to be maltitol-containing crystals, and maltitol crystals obtained by the honey method can also be used.

The quality of the seed crystals of maltitol is preferably the same as the quality of the supplied aqueous solution of maltitol in the sense that the quality control of the finished product is facilitated, but it is necessarily the same. There is no.

The seed crystals are preferably added and kneaded at a time when the aqueous maltitol solution supplied to the extruder reaches 50 to 80 ° C. When added below 50 ° C., the viscosity of the aqueous maltitol solution is increased. Since it is high, it takes time to knead with the seed crystal, the crystal growth rate after maltitol magma is formed is slow, the ratio of glassy solid in the formed maltitol magma becomes high, and the product It is not preferable because it has disadvantages such as adversely affecting storability.

If the temperature exceeds 80 ° C., the seed crystal may dissolve, which is not preferable.

Furthermore, the seed crystal addition rate is affected by the concentration of the maltitol aqueous solution, the introduction rate, the quality, the addition temperature, etc., and changes, but the weight of the maltitol magma extruded per unit time (extrusion amount) ), It is preferable that the amount of addition is about 3 to 80% because it contributes to the formation of maltitol magma having an appropriate hardness. For example, the extrusion amount of maltitol magma is 30 kg / Hr. In this case, it will be about 0.9 kg / Hr to 24 kg / Hr.

The addition method may be a continuous method,
An intermittent method can also be adopted.

However, since it is advantageous that the seed crystals are uniformly dispersed in the maltitol aqueous solution in order to form the maltitol magma in a short time, continuous addition is preferable.

Next, the maltitol aqueous solution and the seed crystals supplied as described above are cooled and kneaded in the third zone and thereafter in the extruder, but the third zone and thereafter are not necessarily a single zone. It does not need to be, and may be configured by a plurality of zones.

When the third and subsequent zones are a single zone, the third zone becomes the final zone, and when there are two third and subsequent zones, the fourth zone and the third and subsequent zones are If there are three, the fifth zone will be the final zone.

In the case of the extruder, the conditions for cooling and kneading are such that the temperature in the final cooling and kneading zone is kept in the range of 25 to 60 ° C., the rotation speed of the screw is about 60 rpm, and To stay for about 2 minutes,
It is preferable for obtaining a maltitol magma having an appropriate hardness.

Further, when discharging from the extruder,
The shape of the maltitol-containing crystal with improved magma-like physical properties can be freely selected from linear, rod-shaped, plate-shaped, etc.
When making into a thin rod shape, discharge it with a diameter of about 2 to 6 mm, and then use it as necessary for aging, coarse crushing,
It is preferable because the steps such as drying become easy.

The maltitol syrup-containing crystals thus obtained with improved physical properties have remarkably improved hygroscopicity as compared with the maltitol syrup-containing crystals produced by the spray drying method or the fluidized drying method. In addition, since the growth direction of maltitol crystals is more uniform than that of maltitol-containing crystals produced by the block pulverizing method, it is possible to obtain tablets with high hardness even when directly compressed into tablets. There is.

In addition, since the apparent specific gravity of the powder is heavy, the fine powder is less likely to be scattered, and a small container or carrier is required for storing and carrying the powder, and other sugar alcohol containers can be diverted. .

The discharged maltitol-containing crystals having improved magma-like physical properties can be directly used as a product, but if necessary, in view of the properties when storing the product, the ease of handling, etc., Processes such as aging, coarse crushing, drying, crushing, and classification can be performed.

Suitable conditions for aging the maltitol syrup containing crystals having improved magma-like physical properties obtained by carrying out the present invention are 15 to 80 ° C. and 5 to 120 minutes, but 55 It is more preferable to set the temperature to about 70 ° C. for about 15 to 30 minutes from the viewpoint of preventing the powdered product obtained thereafter from cohesion.

The method of aging is not particularly limited, but for example, a method of moving it with a belt made of a metal net and applying hot air, a method of aging in a thermostat, or the like can be adopted.

The method and conditions of coarse pulverization are not particularly limited, and when the maltitol-containing crystals with improved magma-like physical properties are discharged in the form of thin rods as described above,
It is sufficient to cut the rod to a length of 5 to 15 mm.

When coarse pulverization is carried out, for example, a commercially available feather mill FM-1 type [manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Co., Ltd.] or the like can be advantageously employed.

There is no particular limitation when drying the maltitol-containing crystal having improved physical properties obtained according to the present invention, but when it is desired to keep the water content in the product to 1% or less, the temperature is from 80 ° C to By drying at about 115 ° C., the purpose can be achieved in a relatively short time.

Further, the drying can be carried out twice or more by changing the drying conditions, and the pressure can be adopted from normal pressure to reduced pressure.

As a method which can be advantageously adopted for carrying out the drying, for example, a vibration conveyor type drying method, a disk type drying method, a hopper dryer type drying method,
There is a drum rotation type drying method.

[0069]

【Example】

The contents of the present invention will be described more specifically below with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following Examples. In addition, in the following examples,% means% by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0071]

[Example-1]

(1) The maltitol aqueous solution as a raw material was adjusted to have a concentration of 93.5%, and the first zone was introduced to cool and knead the raw material at a rate of 22 kg / Hr. Biaxial rotary screw type extruder for foods [Japan Steel Works, Ltd.] having an elongated cooling / kneading zone consisting of a second zone for kneading and a third zone (final zone) for cooling / kneading continuously to the second zone Made, TEX38FSS
-20 AW-V], and kneaded and transported at 60 rpm.

The sugar composition of the maltitol aqueous solution used was 1.2% sorbitol, 94.0% maltitol, and 4.8% sugar alcohol with DP ≧ 3, and the temperature before supply of the maltitol aqueous solution was 98 ° C. The temperature of the maltitol aqueous solution in the first zone was adjusted to 80 ° C.

(2) The maltitol aqueous solution in the second zone of the extruder was adjusted to 60 ° C., and the maltitol-containing malt crystal as a seed crystal having the same composition as that of the maltitol aqueous solution (water content: 0.3%) Was fed to the second zone at a rate of 8 kg / Hr (about 26.7% of the extrusion rate) to form maltitol magma.

(3) The maltitol magma in the third zone, which is the final zone of the extruder of this embodiment, is 40 ° C.
When cooled at a rate of about 30 kg / Hr through a nozzle having 12 4 mm extrusion holes, the temperature of the extruded maltitol magma was 69 ° C. and its water content was 3. It was 9%.

The maltitol magma obtained by the first step consisting of the above (1) to (3) has no stickiness on the surface and is easy to handle without being plastic enough to be easily bent by bending by hand. It was

The average residence time of the contents from the first zone to the final zone was about 1.5 minutes.

(4) The extruded maltitol magma was placed on a stainless steel tray and aged for 20 minutes at 60 ° C. in a circulating air dryer [TR-ED type manufactured by Trio Science Co., Ltd.] to carry out the second step. finished.

(5) Next, the aged maltitol magma was taken out from the dryer, cooled to room temperature, and coarsely pulverized by a pulverizer [FM-1 type feather mill manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corp.].

(6) The coarsely crushed product was blow-dried at 95 ° C. for 130 minutes to obtain maltitol-containing malt crystals having a water content of 0.5% and improved physical properties.

The time required up to this stage is about 2 hours 4
It was 0 minutes, and it was possible to produce maltitol-containing crystals in a remarkably short time as compared with about 55 hours when the same quality was produced by the block grinding method.

Further, after crushing and classifying this, and after completing the third step to obtain a powder of maltitol-containing crystals, there is no solidification or cohesion of the powder even after being stored in a kraft bag for one month. The powder was in a good state.

[0083]

[Example-2]

(1) Adjust the concentration of the maltitol aqueous solution to 92.5.
%, Feed rate 16 kg / Hr, sugar composition of maltitol aqueous solution: sorbitol 1.0%, maltitol 90.3%,
The sugar alcohol of DP ≧ 3 was adjusted to 8.7%, the temperature before the supply of the maltitol aqueous solution was adjusted to 95 ° C., and the temperature of the maltitol aqueous solution in the first zone was adjusted to 65 ° C.
The same operation as (1) of 1 was performed.

(2) The maltitol aqueous solution in the second zone of the extruder was adjusted to 55 ° C., and maltitol-containing crystals (water content: 0.2%) were added at 12 kg / hr (about 42% of the extrusion amount). .9%) and the other examples-1.
Maltitol magma was formed as in (2).

(3) In this embodiment, the zone for cooling and kneading continuously to the second zone consists of two zones, the third zone and the fourth zone, and the fourth zone is the final zone of the extruder. Maltitol magma in the 3rd and 4th zones was cooled stepwise to 45 ° C and 38 ° C, respectively, from a nozzle with 3 mm extrusion holes opened at 18 places, at a rate of about 28 kg / Hr, etc. When the first extrusion step was completed in the same manner as in (3) of Example-1, the temperature of the extruded maltitol magma was 67 ° C, and its water content was 4.
It was 1%.

(4) Aging was carried out in the same manner as in (4) of Example 1 except that the aging conditions were 70 ° C. and 15 minutes, and the second step was completed.

(5) Then, coarse pulverization was carried out in the same manner as in Example-1.

(6) The coarsely pulverized product was blow-dried under the conditions of 90 ° C. and 160 minutes in the same manner as in Example-1 (6) to obtain a water content of 0.6.
% Maltitol-containing crystals with improved physical properties were obtained.

[0090]

[Example-3]

(1) Adjust the concentration of the maltitol aqueous solution to 93.0.
%, The feed rate is 12 kg / Hr, the sugar composition of the maltitol aqueous solution is sorbitol 4.0%, maltitol 87.8%,
The sugar alcohol of DP ≧ 3 was adjusted to 8.2%, the temperature of the maltitol aqueous solution before supply was adjusted to 85 ° C., and the temperature of the maltitol aqueous solution in the first zone was adjusted to 60 ° C.
The same operation as (1) of 1 was performed.

(2) Example except that the maltitol aqueous solution in the second zone of the extruder was adjusted to 55 ° C. and the maltitol-containing crystals were 12 kg / Hr (50% of the extrusion amount) -A maltitol magma was formed in the same manner as in (2) -2.

(3) In this embodiment, the zone for cooling and kneading continuously to the second zone consists of two zones, the third zone and the fourth zone, and the fourth zone is the final zone of the extruder. The maltitol magmas in the 3rd and 4th zones were cooled stepwise to 38 ° C and 35 ° C respectively, and from the nozzle with 3 mm extrusion holes opened at 18 places, at a rate of about 24 kg / Hr, etc. When the first extrusion step was completed in the same manner as in Example 1 (3), the temperature of the extruded maltitol magma was 62 ° C., and its water content was 4.
It was 9%.

The obtained maltitol magma had a slightly sticky surface and had plasticity, but was easy to handle such that it could be easily broken by bending by hand several minutes after extrusion.

(4) Aging was conducted in the same manner as in (4) of Example 1 except that the aging conditions were 60 ° C. and 30 minutes, and the second step was completed.

(5) Then, coarse pulverization was carried out in the same manner as in (5) of Example-1.

(6) The coarsely crushed product is initially at 85 ° C. and 200
Boiled and dried under the conditions of minutes and then at 105 ° C. for 100 minutes in the same manner as in Example-1 (6) to obtain maltitol-containing maltite crystals having a water content of 0.6% and improved physical properties. .

[0098]

[Example-4]

(1) Adjust the concentration of the maltitol aqueous solution to 89.0.
%, Feed rate 11.4 kg / Hr, sugar composition of maltitol aqueous solution: sorbitol 1.0%, maltitol 95.2
%, And sugar alcohol 3.8 with DP ≧ 3, the same operation as in (1) of Example-1 was performed.

(2) Maltitol-containing crystals (water content: 0.5%) having the same composition as the aqueous solution of maltitol were supplied at a rate of 13.7 kg / Hr (about 54.6% based on the amount of extrusion), Maltitol magma was formed in the same manner as in (2) of Example-1.

(3) After the same operation as in (3) of Example-1, maltitol magma having an extrusion temperature of 65 ° C. and a water content of 3.1% was obtained.

(4) Maltitol magma was aged under the same conditions as (4) of Example-1.

(5) Then, coarse pulverization was carried out in the same manner as in Example-1.

(6) The coarsely pulverized product was dried in the same manner as in (6) of Example 1 to obtain a maltitol-containing malt crystal having a water content of 0.5% and having improved physical properties.

[0105]

[Comparative example]

Maltitol syrup containing crystals having improved physical properties in powder form after drying, pulverizing and classifying obtained after the completion of the third step of Example-1 are designated as the products of the present invention and compared with the products of the present invention. Therefore, maltitol-containing crystals were prepared by the conventional method as follows and used as a control product.

A maltitol aqueous solution having the same sugar composition as that of Example 1 was adjusted to a concentration of 88%, put in a promoter can and the temperature was set to 50 ° C., and the solid content of the maltitol aqueous solution was adjusted to 2%.
A seed crystal of anhydrous crystalline maltitol was added by weight%, and the mixture was slowly stirred and held for 2 hours, then placed in a vat and allowed to stand for 4 days to crystallize and solidify. Then, the crystallized solidified product was taken out from the vat and cut. It was crushed with a mold crusher and dried to obtain 20 kg of powdery maltitol-containing maltitol crystals (control product) containing anhydrous crystalline maltitol.

Then, the product of the present invention and the control product were magnified 200 times and 100 times by a typical scanning electron microscope.
Each photograph was taken at 0 times.

FIG. 1 is an electron micrograph of the product of the present invention.
(a) is a photograph with a magnification of 200 times, and (b) is a photograph with a magnification of 1000 times.

FIG. 2 is an electron micrograph of the control product, which shows (a)
Is a photograph of 200 times magnification, and (b) is a photograph of 1000 times magnification.

Comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the product of the present invention is
It can be confirmed that the crystal structure is relatively denser than that of the conventional product.

Further, regarding the product of the present invention and the control product, 50
Samples in the particle size range of mesh to 20 mesh were taken out and prepared, and the apparent specific gravity and oil absorption were measured.

The oil absorption rate was measured as follows.

Castor oil was added to 15 g of a powder sample and mixed, and after 5 minutes, a centrifuge tube laid with a filter cloth (having a hole at the bottom).
And was centrifuged at 1300 G for 10 minutes, and the weight of the cake remaining on the filter cloth was measured and calculated by the following formula.

Oil absorption rate (%) = {[(cake weight) -1
5] / 15} × 100

The measurement results are shown in Table 1.

[0117]

[Table 1]

From Table 1, it can be confirmed that the product of the present invention has a higher apparent specific gravity and a lower oil absorption than the control product.

[0119]

【The invention's effect】

As described above, the maltitol-containing malt crystals according to the present invention having improved physical properties can be seen at a magnification of 1000 times as compared with the maltitol-containing crystals obtained by the conventional method. It has a relatively dense crystal structure, has a large apparent specific gravity, is comparable to other sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, and has little oil absorption.

Therefore, (a) the volume is not bulky, a dedicated packaging material or packaging container is not required, and packaging materials or packaging containers for other sugar alcohols can be used, and can be stored or transported. Does not require a large space or carrying equipment. (b) Since the powder is heavy, scattering of fine powder is unlikely to occur, and it can be used for various purposes. (c) Since the crystal structure is dense, the tablet hardness is excellent when directly compressed.

Further, according to the method for producing maltitol-containing malt crystals according to the present invention, maltitol-containing malt crystals having improved physical properties can be produced in a very short time and in a simple process without human labor. As a result, it is possible to largely save the storage place and the storage container of the work-in-progress, and the automation of the process is facilitated.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a scanning electron microscopic photograph of powdery maltitol-containing crystals after drying, pulverizing and classifying according to the present invention, (a) is a photograph with a magnification of 200 times, and (b) is a magnification with a magnification of 1000 times. Is a picture of.

FIG. 2 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of a conventional powdery maltitol-containing crystal, (a) is a photograph at 200 × magnification,
(b) is a photograph at a magnification of 1000 times.

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A) crushed and classified product has a crushed, dense crystal structure which can be seen with a scanning electron microscope at a magnification of 1000 times, and b) 50 mesh after crushed and classified. The apparent specific gravity of the crystal powder containing 20 mesh or less is 0.650 to 0.750, c) The oil absorption of the crystal powder containing 50 mesh or more and 20 mesh or less after grinding and classification is 7.0% to 17%. D) Maltitol-containing crystals having a melting point lower than that of maltitol crystals. 2. The maltitol-containing crystal according to claim 1, wherein the solid content of maltitol is 80 to 98% by weight, and the other is 0.5 to 15% by weight of sorbitol and 1.5. Maltitol molasses-containing crystals consisting of -10% by weight maltotriitol and a higher degree of polymerization, i.e. a sugar alcohol with DP≥3. 3. The maltitol aqueous solution is continuously supplied to an extruder having an elongated cooling / kneading zone, cooled / kneaded in the presence of seed crystals to produce maltitol magma, and then continuously discharged from an extrusion nozzle. Maltitol-containing crystals according to any one of claims 1 or 2, produced by mechanically extruding. 4. A slender cooling system comprising a plurality of continuous zones for an aqueous solution of maltitol having a concentration of 80 to 98% by weight and a content of maltitol in the solid content of 80 to 99% by weight.
It is continuously supplied to the first zone of an extruder having a kneading zone, cooled and kneaded to 50 to 90 ° C., and the maltitol aqueous solution therein is fed to the second zone where it reaches 50 to 80 ° C. with respect to the extrusion amount. 3 to 80% by weight of seed crystals are continuously or intermittently added and kneaded, and further cooled in the continuous third zone.
The maltitol-containing crystal according to claim 1, which is produced by continuously kneading the formed maltitol magma after kneading, cooling and kneading to 25 to 60 ° C in the final zone, and then extruding the maltitol magma. . 5. A) 0.5 to 15% by weight of sorbitol and 80 to 9% of maltitol at a concentration of 80 to 98% by weight.
A maltitol aqueous solution having a composition of 8% by weight and maltotriitol and a sugar alcohol having a molecular weight (DP ≧ 3) of 1.5 to 10% by weight and having an elongated cooling / kneading zone consisting of a plurality of continuous zones. It is continuously fed to the first zone of the extruder, cooled and kneaded to 50 to 90 ° C., and the maltitol aqueous solution therein reaches the second zone where the temperature reaches 50 to 80 ° C. A seed crystal of wt% is continuously or intermittently added and kneaded, and further cooled and kneaded in a continuous third zone, and 25 to 60 in the final zone.
After cooling and kneading to ℃, the first step of extruding the formed maltitol magma from the extrusion nozzle, b) Extruding maltitol magma at 15-80 ° C for 5
Second step of aging for ~ 30 minutes, c) Then coarsely crush the aged maltitol magma,
The maltitol-containing malt crystal according to claim 1, which is produced by sequentially passing through respective steps of drying at 80 to 115 ° C for 60 minutes or more, pulverizing and classifying, and a third step.