WO2021180696A1

WO2021180696A1 - Novel coated bulking agent particles

Info

Publication number: WO2021180696A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/055879
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas David Hedges; John Turner Mitchell
Original assignee: Unilever Ip Holdings B.V.; Conopco, Inc., D/B/A Unilever
Priority date: 2020-03-10
Filing date: 2021-03-09
Publication date: 2021-09-16

Abstract

Novel coated bulking agent particles for reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar. A coated bulking agent particle comprising from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition comprising sugar; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) is from 10 to 80 μm.; wherein the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition.; an agglomerated coated bulking agent particle; a process of preparing the particles and a fat-based confection composition comprising the coated bulking agent particles.

Description

NOVEL COATED BULKING AGENT PARTICLES

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to novel coated bulking agent particles for reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar.

Background of the invention

Reduction of calories in fat-based food products comprising sugar is known to have been achieved through replacement of sugar with a substitute of lower calorific value. The substitute may be a bulking agent; however, simple substitution may have the disadvantage of adversely affecting the viscosity, texture and sweetness of the final product (US 5,342,636). Additionally, US 5,342,636 also discloses that only a limited amount of sugar may be substituted by a cellulose or fibrous bulking agent in an oil based product without adversely affecting the viscosity and organoleptic properties of the food product. Therefore, as a sugar substitute to reduce the calories of a product, direct substitution of sugar with a bulking agent provides only a small reduction in calories, if any.

An alternative solution for reducing the calorie content of fat-based food products comprising sugar includes the use of a modified bulking agent as a substitute for the sugar. US 5,342,636 discloses a modified bulking agent and a process for its preparation. The modified bulking agent contains a cellulosic bulking agent and an additive of sugar, protein or a combination thereof. The modified bulking agent has an amount of additive of from about 5% to about 50% by weight of the modified bulking agent final product; more than a total of 50 wt% of the additive results in a modified bulking agent having an excess of additive not bound to the fiber. The modified bulking agent has a reduced binding capacity such that the bulking agent absorbs from about 50% to about 75% of its weight in oil, implying that the bulking agent itself is not fully coated and/or the additive itself binds oil. The reduced oil binding capacity of the modified bulking agent enables the modified bulking agent to be used in milk chocolate with a reduction in calories of 25%. However, US 5,342,636 is silent with regard to the Casson viscosity and Casson yield of the milk chocolate containing the modified buking agent.

An alternative approach to reducing the calorie content of fat-based food products comprising sugar is the substitution of the sugar with amorphous porous particles. WO 2017/093390 A1 discloses amorphous porous particles for reducing sugar in foods.

The amorphous porous particles contain a sugar, a bulking agent (e.g. skimmed milk powder) and surfactant (e.g. casein) having a closed porosity of 20 to 60 %. The porous particles are present in an amorphous form in order to obtain similar sweetness and sensory qualities of the particles in comparison to crystalline granulated sugar. The use of such amorphous porous particles has been suggested to result in a potential reduction of sugar in fat-based food products on a mass basis of 10 to 35 %. However, WO 2017/093390 A1 is silent with regard to the Casson viscosity and Casson yield of these amorphous porous particles in fat-based confection compositions.

There is a need for a particle that may be substituted for sugar in fat-based food products wherein the particles enable significant calorie reduction of the fat-based food products whilst retaining the rheological properties, such as Casson viscosity and Casson yield, of the food product. It would be a significant additional advantage that the particle also retains organoleptic properties similar to those of sugar in food products, it would be of particular advantage that the particle does not impart a dry mouth feel when the fat-based food products are consumed. In addition, it would be of significant advantage that the particle reduced both the calorie content of a fat-based food product and the fat or oil content of a fat-based food product. Such a particle would have the same or similar physical characteristics as crystalline sugar such as oil binding capacity and hygroscopicity. Such a particle would be of particular importance when used as a substitute for sugar in coating compositions for frozen confection products, as the process-ability, resultant uniformity of coating, desired pick-up weight and organoleptic properties of the final coated product of these compositions would be retained.

Summary of the invention The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising: from 30 to 90 wt % coating composition comprising sugar; and from 10 to 70 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) is from IO ΐo dO mGP.

Furthermore, the invention relates to an agglomerated coated bulking agent particle; a process of preparing the particles and a fat-based confection composition comprising the coated bulking agent particles.

It has been discovered that the novel coated bulking agent particles, when used as a substitute for sugar in fat-based food products, result in an up to 70 wt% reduction of sugar of the fat-based food product in comparison to fat-based food products comprising sugar. Additionally, the coated bulking agent particles, when used as a substitute for granulated sugar in fat-based food products, retain the rheological and organoleptic properties of fat-based food products comprising granulated sugar. Furthermore, it has been discovered that it is possible to prepare coated bulking agent particles without the use of surface active agents. Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition comprising sugar; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) of the coated bulking agent particle is from 10 to 80 mhi.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising: from 30 to 90 wt % coating composition; and from 10 to 70 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter D(4,3) is from 10 to 80 mhi, wherein the coating composition is sugar. The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising: from 30 to 90 wt % sugar; and from 10 to 70 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter D(4,3) is from 10 to 80 mhi

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting essentially of from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) of the coated bulking agent particle is from 10 to 80 mhi, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) of the coated bulking agent particle is from 10 to 80 mhi, wherein the coating composition is sugar. Coated bulking agent particle means a particle comprising a bulking agent core and a layer comprising sugar. The layer comprising sugar may also be known as a sugar coating composition, i.e.: a layer comprising sugar includes a layer consisting of sugar. The term sugar coating composition is intended to mean a layer consisting of sugar. Layer comprising sugar may also be known as a coating composition comprising sugar and includes a coating composition consisting essentially of sugar or a coating composition consisting of sugar. Sugar coating composition may also be known as a coating composition consisting of sugar, or alternatively, a layer consisting of sugar. Coated means that the layer comprising sugar is present on at least the surface of the bulking agent. Coated means that the layer comprising sugar is in contact with at least the surface of the bulking agent. The bulking agent may be substantially or fully coated with a layer comprising sugar. Preferably the bulking agent is fully coated with a layer comprising sugar. When present in a fat-based confection composition the bulking agent particles may be substantially coated, fully coated, or both substantially and fully coated with a layer comprising sugar. Coated bulking agent particle in crystalline form means a particle comprising a bulking agent core and a layer comprising sugar; wherein the sugar of the layer comprising sugar is present on at least the surface of the bulking agent and from 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form. Numerical ranges expressed in the format “from x to y” are understood to include x and y, and in specifying any range of values or amounts, any particular upper value or amount can be associated with any particular lower value or amount. Unless otherwise specified, wt% refers to weight percent based on the weight of the entire formulation (including water). Except in the examples and comparative experiments, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. As used herein, the indefinite article “a” or “an” and its corresponding definite article “the” means at least one, or one or more, unless specified otherwise In an embodiment, the layer comprising sugar is present on at least the surface of the bulking agent and from 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form. In a preferred embodiment, from 80 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form.

In a preferred embodiment 95 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar on the surface of the coated bulking agent particle is present in crystalline form. In a particularly preferred embodiment, 98 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar on the surface of the coated bulking agent particle is present in crystalline form.

Sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, glucose, lactose, galactose, allulose, trehalose and mixtures thereof. The coated bulking agent particle comprises from 30 wt% to 90 wt%; from 35 wt% to 85 wt%; from 40 wt% to 80 wt%; from 45 wt% to 75; from 50 wt% to 70 wt% sugar.

The bulking agent is insoluble cellulosic fibre derived from plant-based material such as coffee beans, dried tea leaves, cocoa, fruit, vegetable, nuts, seeds and is present in particulate form. Insoluble cellulosic fibre is selected from the group consisting of oat fibre; bran fibre; wheat fibre; rice fibre; maize fibre; sugar beet fibre; sugar cane fibre; ; pea fibre; vegetable powders; tomato powder; beetroot powder; ground cinnamon; spent coffee grounds; milled tea particles; debittered cocoa; fruit powders and mixtures thereof. The bulking agent may also be an insoluble protein obtainable from, for example: wheat, zein, pea, rice, soya, fava, milk, potato, lupin or lentil. The bulking agent is an insoluble protein selected from the group consisting of: wheat, zein, pea, rice, soya, fava, milk, potato, lupin, lentil and mixtures thereof. The bulking agent may also be an insoluble mineral, for example: calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate. The bulking agent is an insoluble mineral selected from the group consisting of: calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate and mixtures thereof. Preferably the bulking agent has been treated to remove flavour, aroma or both flavour and aroma. Preferably, the bulking agent has reduced flavour, reduced aroma or both reduced flavour and reduced aroma compared to an untreated bulking agent. Preferably, the bulking agent is without aroma, without flavour or without both aroma and flavour. During treatment to reduce flavour, aroma or both flavour and aroma, the bulking agent is centrifuged to obtain a pellet that comprises the bulking agent and water. Consequently, the bulking agent has a reduced water binding capacity in comparison to the bulking agent in dry form prior to centrifugation. The water binding capacity of the bulking agent is preferably less than 4g per g of dry bulking agent. The coated bulking agent particle comprises from 10 wt% to 70 wt%; from 15 wt% to 65 wt% from 20 wt% to 60 wt%; from 25 wt% to 55 wt%; from 30 wt% to 50 wt% bulking agent.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 30 wt% to 90 wt % sugar and from 10 wt% to 70wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 35 wt% to 85 wt % sugar and from 15 wt% to 65 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 40 wt% to 80 wt % sugar and from 20 wt% to 60wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form. The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 45 wt% to 75 wt % sugar and from 25 wt% to 55 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form. The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 50 wt% to 70 wt % sugar and from 30 wt% to 50 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 30 wt% to 90 wt % coating composition and from 10 wt% to 70wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 35 wt% to 85 wt % coating composition and from 15 wt% to 65 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 40 wt% to 80 wt % coating composition and from 20 wt% to 60wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 45 wt% to 75 wt % coating composition and from 25 wt% to 55 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle comprising from 50 wt% to 70 wt % coating composition and from 30 wt% to 50 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar. The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 30 wt% to 90 wt % coating composition and from 10 wt% to 70wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 35 wt% to 85 wt % coating composition and from 15 wt% to 65 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 40 wt% to 80 wt % coating composition and from 20 wt% to 60wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 45 wt% to 75 wt % coating composition and from 25 wt% to 55 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

The present invention relates to a coated bulking agent particle consisting of from 50 wt% to 70 wt % coating composition and from 30 wt% to 50 wt % bulking agent; wherein 50 to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form, wherein the coating composition is sugar.

A coated bulking agent particle is present in particulate form as coated bulking agent particles. Coated bulking agent particles is the term for a plurality of a coated bulking agent particle. Coated bulking agent particles are present in particulate form. The invention relates to a particulate composition of coated bulking agent particles.

In an embodiment of the invention the coating composition does not comprise an oil, fat or mixture thereof that does not originate from the bulking agent. Preferably the coated bulking agent does not comprise an oil, fat or mixture thereof that does not originate from the bulking agent. In an embodiment of the invention the coating composition does not comprise a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of water soluble protein, lecithin, and mixtures thereof. Preferably the coating composition is a homogenous composition. The coated bulking agent particles are in a solid particulate form. The coating composition is physically bound to the bulking agent and the coated bulking agent particles themselves survive shear forces applied through, for example, ball milling. Shear forces, such as those applied by ball milling, may separate coated bulking agent particles that are in an agglomerated form. One coated bulking agent particle is one particle, i.e.: a coated bulking agent particle comprises a bulking agent substantially at the core surrounded by a coating composition that is physically bound to the bulking agent.

The terms sugar crystal, crystalline sugar, granulated crystalline sugar and sugar in crystalline form are interchangeable and mean a solid sugar material whose constituents (i.e. sugar molecules) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice. In addition, macroscopic single crystals are usually identifiable by their geometrical shape, consisting of flat faces with specific, characteristic orientations.

An amorphous solid, or non-crystalline solid is a solid that lacks the long-range order that is characteristic of a crystal. A glass is an amorphous solid that exhibits a glass transition. Glasses are commonly found in spray dried sugar based materials, carbohydrate materials and mixture thereof.

The bulking agent in hydrated form has a particle size volume mean diameter D(4,3) of from 10 to 60 mhi; from 10 to 50 mhi; from 10 to 40 mhi; from 15 to 35 mhi; from 17 to 31 mGTI. The bulking agent in hydrated form has a particle size surface area mean diameter D(3,2) of from 2 to 30 mhi; from 2 to 20 mhi; from 3 to 15 mhi; from 5 to 12 mhi. The coated bulking agent particle in crystalline form has a particle size volume mean diameter D(4,3) of from 10 to 80 mhi; from 15 to 70 mhi; from 20 to 65 mhi; from 20 to 60 mGTI. The coated bulking agent particle in crystalline form has a particle size surface area mean diameter D(3,2) of from 2 to 40 mhi; 2 to 20 mhi; from 3 to 17 mhi; from 3 to 15 mGh; from 5 to 12 mhi.

The coated bulking agent particle in crystalline form has a d(0.9) of from 30 to 150 mhi; 35 to 120 mGh; from 40 to 110 mhi. d(0.9) means that 90% of the particle size volume mean diameter is below the d(0.9) value.

The coated bulking agent particle in crystalline form has a d(0.1) of from 3 to 17 mhi; from 3 to 15 mhi; 5 to 14 mhi; from 7 to 13 mhi. d(0.1) means that 10% of the particle size volume mean diameter is below the d(0.1) value.

It should be noted that when particle size is measured within a chocolate system, additional particles that are not coated bulking agent particles contribute to the average size calculated. Such additional particles include milk protein, crystalline sugar and cocoa.

Volume weighted mean diameter [D(4,3)] (also known as De Brouckere Mean Diameter) is the mean diameter size corresponding to spheres with the same volume. Sauter mean diameter [known as SMD, dz2 or D( 3, 2)] is the mean diameter size of spheres with the corresponding surface area. Calculation of the volume weighted mean diameter and Sauter mean diameter are provided in: [A Guidebook to Particle Size Analysis: Horiba Scientific]

In a preferred embodiment the coated bulking agent particle comprises a bulking agent selected from the group consisting of spent coffee grounds; milled tea particles; debittered cocoa and mixtures thereof; and sucrose.. Agglomerated coated bulking agent particles means a plurality of coated bulking agent particles associated to form one particle; wherein the individual coated bulking agent particles may be separated by, for example: shear forces. Such shear forces may be generated by for example: grinding, blending, overhead mixing, such as Silverson mixing (for example Silverson LC5 mixer with a 20 mm screen) roller milling; ball milling; or a gentle conching process. Such methods are used during preparation of a fat-based confection composition, such as addition of the coated bulking agent particle to a prepared fat-based confection composition followed by mixing; or during the preparation of the fat-based confection composition itself.

Agglomerated coated bulking agent particles may be formed during spray drying of the coated bulking agent particles. Agglomerated coated bulking agent particles obtained directly from the spay drying apparatus are in a form selected form the group consisting of: amorphous form, crystalline form and mixtures thereof. Such agglomerated coated bulking agent particles are from about 100 to about 500 mhi in length; from about 150 to about 450 mhi in length; from about 200 to about 400 mhi in length. Wherein the length is measured as an estimate of the longest linear dimension observable by SEM images. The coated bulking agent particles may also be measured by the same method and have a size of the largest visible coated bulking agent particle of from about 15 to about 80 mhi in length; from about 20 to about 75 mhi in length.

Furthermore, such agglomerated coated bulking agent particles comprising coated bulking agent particles; wherein the agglomerated particle and coated bulking agent particle have a ratio of length estimated from SEM images of from 1:1 to 10:1; from 2:1 to 8:1.

In order for the coated bulking agent particles to form a crystalline form, amorphous coated bulking agent particles must have a crystallisation temperature above that of the glass transition temperature and below that of the sugar melting temperature.

Preferable the onset crystallisation temperatures are from between 45 °C and 140 °C, from between 65 °C and 140 °C, from between 70 °C and 130 °C; from between 80 °C and 129 °C.

Coated bulking agent particles, in individual or agglomerated form, may be added to any fat-based food product to replace granulated sugar. The fat-based food product must be substantially anhydrous. Substantially anhydrous means that the composition comprises no more than 5 wt% water, preferably no more than 3 wt% water and more preferably no more than 1 wt% water. In an embodiment the fat-based food product is a fat-based confection composition. A fat-based confection composition may also be known as an oil-based confection composition. The fat-based confection composition comprises one or more particles selected from the group consisting of: coated bulking agent particles, agglomerated coated bulking agent particles, and mixtures thereof.

Use of one or more particles selected from the group consisting of: coated bulking agent particles, agglomerated coated bulking agent particles, and mixtures thereof in a fat-based confection composition.

Use of one or more particles selected from the group consisting of: coated bulking agent particles, agglomerated coated bulking agent particles, and mixtures thereof in a fat-based confection composition; wherein the fat-based confection composition is a frozen confection coating composition.

Exemplary fat-based confection compositions include: ambient chocolate, chocolate flavour coating; frozen confection coating compositions, fat-based sauces and inclusions. Preferably, the fat-based confection composition is a frozen confection coating composition. Frozen confection coating composition means a composition that, when in liquid form and applied to the surface of a frozen confection, solidifies on or shortly after contact with the frozen confection. Frozen confection coating composition means a fat-based edible material for use to form a coating layer on the surface of a frozen confection. Such coating compositions include chocolate or chocolate analogues (also known as couverture or compound chocolate). Exemplary coating composition formulations are provided in WO 2010/072481 A1; ‘Ice Cream’ 5^th Ed., Marshall and Arbuckle, 1996, Chapman & Hall, New York. N.Y., page 300; and ‘Ice Cream’ 7^th Ed., Goff and Hartel, 2013 Springer, New York, N. Y., pages 274-283.

The term ‘chocolate’ means dark, chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate, flavoured chocolate. Compound chocolate is made from a combination of cocoa solids, non cocoa butter vegetable fats and sweeteners. In a further embodiment, the coated bulking agent particles, in individual or agglomerated form or mixtures thereof, may be used independently or together with other dry ingredients as, for example, a dry sugar coating for bakery or sweet products. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle comprising the steps of: a. Mixing sugar, bulking agent and water; b. Spraying and drying the mix of step a. c. Optionally further drying the product of step b. at from 50 to 100°C, from 60 to 100°C.

A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the bulking agent is pre-wetted prior to step a. Pre-wetted means the bulking agent has been contacted with water and comprises an amount of water greater than its dried state.

Pre-wetted method includes preparing a slurry of the bulking agent with water and milling the wetted bulking agent.

In an embodiment of the invention the bulking agent is washed bulking agent. In an embodiment of the invention the bulking agent is washed cocoa particles.

A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the water of step a. is at least 60°C. A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the product of step c. is added to a fat-based confection composition.

A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; further comprising a step of grinding or mixing the fat-based confection composition comprising the product of step c.

A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the drying of step c. is under vacuum at a temperature of from 50 to 90 °C; from 60 to 85 °C; from 75 to 85 °C. A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the inlet temperature of the chamber of step a. is from 80 to 200 °C; from 100 to 180 °C; from 120 to 160 °C. A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle; wherein the outlet temperature of the chamber of step a. is from 50 to 120 °C; from 60 to 100 °C.

Figures:

Fig 1: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 1c Fig 2: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 1d

Fig 3: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 2a

Fig 4: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 2c

Fig 5: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 2f

Fig 6: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 3a Fig 7: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 3c

Fig 8: Crystalline coated bulking agent particles corresponding to Example 3e

Examples

Preparation of Bulking Agent:

Cocoa:

Cocoa particles [Cargill (10-12% fat FTNG k)] were washed with hot water (70°C) through a 20 pm stainless steel sieve [Endcotts] Washing was continued until a clear filtrate was obtained. The cocoa particles were then transferred to a 25pm sieve sitting over a 20 pm sieve and the material was washed again. The cocoa particles were then mixed with boiling water, cooled and centrifuged on an RC3C centrifuge [ThermoFisher Scientific] at 5000rpm for 15 minutes at 4°C. The centrifugation process was repeated until the cocoa particles were substantially free of aroma. The resultant pellet comprised cocoa [7.3 wt%, dry weight] and the remainder was water.

Preparation of Coated Bulking Agent:

General method: Spray drying Method for Example 1

The spray dried examples were prepared using a Buchi Mini B290 mini-spray dryer. The processing conditions were as follows:

4:1 Water : Sugar ratio Spray Dryer inlet temperature of 190 °C Typical outlet temperature of 100 - 110 °C

Q-flow setting of 40 which equates to approximately 450 I/hr of atomisation gas - ( Nitrogen )

Feed Flow of approximately 540 g/hr which was a pump setting of 25%

The spray dryer was warmed up for at least 10 minutes and configured on water until steady state was achieved and all glassware was up to temperature. In feed material was then switched from water directly to the test feed material, which was held at approximately ambient temperature.

During the spray drying process, the key temperatures, atomisation spray path and subsequent dried particles were monitored and collected.

Spray drying Method for Examples 2 and Examples 3 Spray Dryer inlet temperature of 187-192 °C Typical outlet temperature of 90 - 117 Deg C

Feed Flow of approximately 540 g/hr which was a pump setting of 25%

Preparation of Crystalline Coated Bulkinq Aqent: The amorphous, agglomerated coated bulking agent particles were collected from the spray dryer and heated at 80°C overnight to obtain agglomerated coated bulking agent particles in crystalline form.

All examples:

Individual coated bulking agent particles are obtainable from their agglomerated form through a low shear method of grinding, such as ball milling. Preparation of Fat-Based Confection Compositions Comprising Coated Bulking

Agent Particles:

A fat-based confection composition was prepared in 1.0-1.5 kg batches as follows:

First, the emulsifier was added to the cocoa butter at 45°C to obtain an emulsifier and cocoa butter mix. Coated bulking agent particles (39.1g) were added to (40.9 g) of melted emulsifier and cocoa butter mix using a ball mill. The dry ingredients (sucrose and cocoa) were blended together and added to the cocoa butter and emulsifier mix comprising the coated bulking agent particles and shear was applied until the mixture began to flow easily. The composition was then transferred into a Weiner chocolate ball mill and milled at 40°C on 60 % speed setting until the particles were below 25pm. The slurry was milled and the particle size was measured at regular intervals using a Draper external digital micrometer. Once the particle size had been reduced to less than 25 pm milling, the fat-based confection composition was then removed and transferred into a chocolate mould and stored at -25°C.

Fat-Based confection compositions comprising coated bulking agent particles of examples Pick-Up Weights:

Frozen confection (90 ml) on a stick was held at -18°C overnight, weighed and was then dipped into a fat-based confection composition comprising coated bulking agent particles of the examples. The fat-based confection compositions were held at temperatures between 45 and 50°C. The temperature was varied slightly in order to achieve a dipping volume of approximately 15 ml. The ice cream was lowered into the chocolate and immediately pulled out before allowing the chocolate to run off. Once the chocolate was substantially solid and the chocolate stream had stopped, the last drop was shaken off from the end of the blank. The weight if the chocolate picked up on the ice cream blank was subsequently recorded.

Method for Measurement of D :

Spray Dried Coated Bulking Agent Particles:

The coated bulking agent particles dispersed in chocolate or coconut oil were heated to 40°C. Aliquots of the dispersion were added to a medium chain triglyceride (MCT; DANISCO) as the dispersant. Samples of particles were added to the dispersant chamber until the required sample obscuration was achieved. An average of 3 replicates were analyzed [Mastersizer 2000; Malvern Pananlytica] to give the final particle size, calculated using the Mastersizer software. Values of D[4,3] and D[3,2] were included in the standard output. The particle size was calculated using Franhoffer approximations.

Water insoluble Cellulose Fibre Bulking Agent Particles:

Water insoluble cellulose fibre particles, both in their hydrated forms, were measured using the same method as provided for the spray dried coated bulking agent particles; however, water was used as the dispersant. Samples of particles were added to the dispersant chamber until the required sample obscuration was achieved. An average of 3 replicates were analyzed [Mastersizer 2000; Malvern Pananlytica] to give the final particle size, calculated using the Mastersizer software. Values of D[4,3] and D[3,2] were included in the standard output. The particle size was calculated using Franhoffer approximations. Mastersizer calculations of particle sizes are based on Mie light scattering theory which assumes spherical particles.

Method for Measurement of Casson Viscosity and Casson Yield: Chocolate and oil rheology measurements were made on a Physica MCR501 at 40°C using a 17mm profiled cup and bob (cd 7-0-25/p6 and c-cc17/T200/SS/P).

The method was a step method:

Step 1 is a pre-shear to condition the material at a shear rate of 5 s ¹ Step 2 is shear rate ramp from 2 to 50 s ¹ over 3 mins

Step 3 constant shear rate at 50 s^_1for 1 min

Step 4 is shear rate ramp from 50 to 2 s ¹ over 3 mins

Only step 4 is analysed to extract the Casson parameters. Data analysed is from 50 s ¹to 5 s ¹.

Square root of stress is plotted on the y-axis and square root of shear rate is plotted on the x-axis. The square of the slope gives the Casson viscosity and the square of the intercept gives the Casson yield.

Method for Measurement of Glass transition and Onset sugar crystal melting:

Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) (measurement of glass transition temperature

(T_n), crystallisation temperature, crystallisation enthalpy, sugar melting temperature and sugar melting enthalpy.

Differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) measurements were performed using Perkin Elmer Diamond DSC. Samples were seal into stainless steel pans. Samples were scanned for 20°C to 200°C at 10 degrees/minute. Thermograms were analyzed using standard Perkin Elmer software for peak onset, peak temperature, peak area (DH) and glass transition temperature (T_g). Tg was quoted as the temperature at the mid-point of the specific heat capacity change.

Method for measuring Water Binding Capacity

10ml of water was added to 1g of dry particles in a centrifuge tube. The mix inverted 30 times to ensure adequate hydration and then left overnight (17.5 hours) at chill temperature. The hydrated slurry was separated by centrifugation 2200 g for 30 minutes in a Sorvall® RC3C centrifuge [ThermoFisher Scientific] The supernatant was removed and the resulting pellet blotted with tissue paper. The mass of the pellet was then recorded. The water binding was calculated from the increase in the mass of the particles. Three replicates of each sample were taken and an average was calculated.

Confocal microscopy method The spray dried materials (0.25g) were mixed carefully with 2g mineral oil. A drop was placed between 2 coverslips using a pastette and imaged without any further treatment on the Zeiss LSM 780 confocal microscope in Channel Mode. Some 3D Z-stack ± 3 x 3 tiled images of individual granules were generated using a 63x objective ± 3x zoom. The channel settings were as follows: Channel 1: excitation 405nm / emission 428- 474nm Channel 2: excitation 488nm / emission 517-580nm Channel 3: excitation 561 nm / emission 649-759nmobjective: 10X, 20X, 40X, 63Xresolution: 1024averaging: 4xzoom: Ixscan mode : sequential line pixel dwell: 1.58ps for regular z-stacksFor Z- stacks, the 63x objective & 1pm depth per slice were used. To obtain uniform laser excitation, the microscope was allowed to 'warm up' for at least 2 hours before performing multi-spectral imaging. In past experiments the emission signals have changed in the first few hours after start-up.

Table 1a: Coated Bulking Agent Particle Compositions

Table 1b: Coated Bulking Agent Particle Compositions

Table 2: Fat-Based Confection Composition Comprising Coated Bulking Agent Particles in Crystalline Form

Ingredient List:

Sugar from British Sugar 0.315-1.25mm,

Cocoa butter from Barry Callebaut,

Cocoa powder from Cargill 10-12% fat FTNG k,

Butter oil from 99.8% Meadow foods Ltd,

Spent coffee grounds derived from Douwe Egberts Pure Gold, medium roast, Skimmed milk powder from Aria foods.

Table 2 illustrates that substitution of 35 wt% of the granulated sugar of a fat-based confection composition comprising crystalline coated bulking agent particles result in a comparable Casson viscosity (0.90 PaS compared to 1.6 PaS) and Casson yield (0.0 Pa compared to 0.6 Pa) of the resultant fat-based confection composition in comparison to the same fat-based composition comprising sucrose only. The comparable Casson Viscosity and Casson Yield values demonstrates that a fat-based confection composition comprising crystalline coated bulking agent particles would be suitable, for example, for use as a fat-based coating composition for frozen confections.

Table 2 also illustrates that substitution of 35 wt% of the granulated sugar of a fat- based confection composition comprising a coffee bulking agent results in a significantly higher Casson viscosity (3.2 PaS compared to 1.6 PaS) and Casson yield (1.0 Pa compared to 0.6 Pa) when added to a fat-based confection composition. The significantly increased Casson viscosity and Casson yield values demonstrates that a fat-based confection composition comprising spent coffee grounds as a bulking agent would not be suitable for use as a fat-based coating composition for frozen confection. It’s likely that such an increase in Casson Viscosity and Casson Yield would result in difficulties with processing such as coating frozen confections. Thickness and uniformity of the coating would also be adversely affected. Furthermore, not only is the fat-based confection coating composition comprising crystalline coated bulking agent particles of the invention reduced in calories through the substitution of the sucrose with crystalline coating bulking agent particles, the advantageous physical properties of the coated bulking agent particles of the invention, i.e.; Examples 1c, 2a - 2f, enables a reduced pick-up weight of the coating composition on the frozen confection to be achieved. This allows a further reduction in calories by enabling the reduction of the amount of fat-based confection coating composition required to fully coat frozen confections to the same quality as a fat-based confection coating composition comprising sucrose only. The Casson Viscosity and Casson Yield values illustrate that such compositions greatly reduce the pick-up weight when used as a fat-based confection coating composition, resulting in a decrease in calories per product and a higher quality of coating as the thickness and uniformity of the coating would be adversely affected by higher Casson Viscosity and Yield values, such as a Casson Viscosity of 3.2 PaS and Casson Yield of 1.0 Pa, as observed in the comparative example.

Claims

1. A coated bulking agent particle comprising from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition comprising sugar; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4, 3) of the coated bulking agent particle is from 10 to 80 mhi.

2. A coated bulking agent particle according to claim 1; wherein the particle size area mean diameter d(3,2) is from 5 to 35 mhi.

3. A coated bulking agent particle according to claim 1 or 2; wherein the coating composition is sugar.

4. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 3; wherein the sugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, allulose, glucose, galactose and mixtures thereof.

5. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 4, wherein the d(0.9) is from 30 to 110 mhi.

6. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the bulking agent is selected from insoluble cellulosic fibre, insoluble protein and insoluble minerals.

7. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the bulking agent is insoluble cellulosic fibre selected from the group consisting of oat fibre; bran fibre; vegetable powders; tomato powder; beetroot powder; ground cinnamon; spent coffee grounds; milled tea particles; debittered cocoa; fruit powders and mixtures thereof.

8. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 7, wherein the bulking agent in hydrated form has a particle size volume mean diameter of from 10 to 60 mGTI.

9. A coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 8, wherein the coated bulking agent particle consists of from 10 wt% to 70 wt% bulking agent and from 30 wt% to 90 wt% coating composition comprising sugar; wherein from 50 wt% to 100 wt% of the sugar is in crystalline form; the bulking agent is coated with the coating composition, and the particle size volume mean diameter d(4,3) of the coated bulking agent particle is from 10 to 80 mhi.

10. An agglomerated coated bulking agent particle comprising coated bulking agent particles according to claim 1 to 9.

11. A fat-based confection composition comprising one or more particles selected from the group consisting of: coated bulking agent particles according to claims 1 to 9, agglomerated coated bulking agent particles according to claim 10, and mixtures thereof.

12. A process for the preparation of a coated bulking agent particle according to claims 1 to 8 comprising the steps of: a. Mixing sugar and a bulking agent and water. b. Spraying and drying the mix of step a. c. Optionally further drying the product of step b. under vacuum at from 60 to 100 °C.

13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the bulking agent of step a. is in wetted form.

14. A process according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the product of step b. or c. is added to a fat-based confection composition.

15. A process according to claims 12 to 14, wherein the product of step b. or c. or the fat-based confection composition comprising the product of step b. or c. are ground.