Multiple Identities And Characteristic Applications of Polydextrose

Polydextrose is a special compound with low calories and low glycemic index. It has the characteristics of water-soluble dietary fiber and prebiotics. It is a polysaccharide composed of randomly cross-linked glucose, which is formed by high-temperature melt polycondensation of naturally occurring glucose and a small amount of sorbitol and citric acid. Polydextrose can be used as a common food, food additive and nutritional enhancer.

Characteristics of polydextrose.

1. High water solubility.

Polydextrose is easily soluble in water. It can dissolve about 80% when the temperature reaches 25°C, and the solubility is stronger when the temperature rises. Unlike ordinary fiber fillers, polydextrose dissolves faster. If food-grade KHCO3 is added to form polydextrose-K. The dissolution rate will be further improved.

2. Solution viscosity.

Under the same concentration, the viscosity of polydextrose solution is higher than that of sucrose solution and sorbitol solution. The viscosity of polydextrose solution decreases with increasing temperature. This characteristic is very similar to that of sucrose solution, so the taste and texture of polydextrose in food can replace sugars or lipids.

3. Moisture retention.

When the temperature is relatively high, polydextrose will fully absorb water when it is in a solid state, so polydextrose can also be used as a moisturizer for food, control the humidity change of food, and play a certain antiseptic role.

4. Stability.

Polydextrose is very stable and it is difficult for microorganisms to survive in it. When the relative humidity is 75%, the concentration will shrink to 80%; when the relative humidity is 52%, the concentration can shrink to 90%. If it is placed at high temperature for a long time, the color will darken, so it should be placed in a low-temperature closed container.

Applications of polydextrose.

1. Polydextrose is used in the health food industry.

Polydextrose is a health food ingredient that can be used in solid preparations and liquid preparations in appropriate amounts according to production needs. Because polydextrose has a low caloric value (1kcal/g), it can be used to produce low-energy, slimming, and weight-loss health foods for beauty lovers or young women.

2. Polydextrose is used to improve the quality of yogurt.

As a water-soluble dietary fiber with health functions, the most common use of polydextrose is to add it to dairy products to enhance the nutritional health functions and taste of dairy products.

Studies have shown that when polydextrose and white sugar are mixed in a ratio of 4:5 and added to fresh milk for fermentation to make yogurt, it is found that the curd is uniform without whey precipitation, the color is white porcelain, the flavor and taste are good, and it can significantly promote the proliferation of lactic acid bacteria in yogurt, change the organizational state of the product, improve the milk flavor, promote the proliferation of bifidobacteria, and supplement the nutritional and health functions of yogurt.

3. Application of polydextrose in ice cream.

Polydextrose has become an application trend of functional ice cream due to its excellent fat replacement function. Under the premise of keeping other ingredients unchanged, the researchers replaced 20% and 40% of margarine with polydextrose, and measured its expansion rate and other indicators.

The experimental results show that polydextrose can replace part of the fat in ice cream, has no significant effect on the taste and texture of ice cream, and the process performance is similar to that of unsubstituted ice cream products, but the calories are significantly reduced. This shows that the use of polydextrose in functional ice cream will make ice cream more health-care while not affecting sensory and quality evaluation.

4. Application of polydextrose in candies.

Polydextrose is also a good ingredient for sugar-free candies with good tolerance. High water solubility and high viscosity can ensure good chewing properties of hard candies and gummy candies; non-cariogenic, suitable for tooth-healthy candies. Sucrose candies with added polydextrose play the role of strengthening fiber, prebiotics, reducing sucrose, and can also reduce calories or total blood sugar production values.

5. Application of polydextrose in beverages.

Polydextrose has excellent properties such as good water solubility, low pH value, high stability under heating conditions, stability during shelf life, and no fiber loss. It is widely used in beverage products (including solid beverages), has no bad taste, good color and transparency, and can enhance the taste of sugar-free or low-sugar beverages.