阅读说明：本技术 在重构时保持其拉伸特性并且用于促进患有吞咽困难的个体的安全吞咽的粉末状增稠剂 (Powdered thickening agent which retains its tensile properties upon reconstitution and is useful for promoting safe swallowing in individuals with dysphagia ) 是由 G·马切西尼 J·恩格曼 C·韦德默 T·达特 于 2018-06-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种增稠粉末,其促进患有吞咽困难的个体对组合物的安全吞咽,并且可用于治疗吞咽困难、促进组合物的安全吞咽、以及减轻在组合物的吞咽期间的误吸风险的方法。该粉末含有β-葡聚糖和为碳水化合物的载体成分,该β-葡聚糖和为碳水化合物的载体成分对所述组合物的拉伸特性而言是中性的或增强所述组合物的拉伸特性。载体成分优选为异麦芽酮糖或低分子量碳水化合物诸如蔗糖或乳糖的至少一种。所述粉末可在包含水或乳中的至少一种的液体中稀释以形成组合物诸如营养产品的至少一部分,并且改善所述组合物的粘结性。(A thickening powder that promotes safe swallowing of a composition by an individual suffering from dysphagia, and is useful in methods of treating dysphagia, promoting safe swallowing of a composition, and reducing the risk of aspiration during swallowing of a composition. The powder contains a beta-glucan and a carrier component which is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component which is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The carrier component is preferably at least one of isomaltulose or a low molecular weight carbohydrate such as sucrose or lactose. The powder can be diluted in a liquid comprising at least one of water or milk to form at least a portion of a composition, such as a nutritional product, and improve cohesiveness of the composition.)

1. A thickening powder formulated for dilution into at least a portion of a composition, the thickening powder comprising a β -glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition.

2. The thickening powder of claim 1, wherein the carrier ingredient is selected from isomaltulose, sucrose, lactose and mixtures thereof.

3. Thickening powder according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the carrier component is isomaltulose.

4. The thickening powder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thickening powder consists of the β -glucan and the carrier component.

5. the thickening powder of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickening powder comprises the carrier component and the beta-glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1.

6. The thickening powder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is a liquid composition.

7. A method of preparing a thickening powder formulated for dilution into at least a portion of a composition, the thickening powder comprising β -glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, the method comprising:

Extracting said beta-glucan from a source selected from the group consisting of grain, mushroom, yeast, seaweed, algae, and mixtures thereof; and

At least one step selected from: (i) adding the carrier component to the source prior to extracting the beta-glucan from the source, and (ii) adding the carrier component to the beta-glucan after extracting the beta-glucan from the source.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the composition is a nutritional product.

9. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, wherein the carrier component comprises isomaltulose.

10. The method of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the carrier component is added to the beta-glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the source comprises oat bran.

12. The method of any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the carrier component is added to the source prior to extracting the beta-glucan from the source.

13. A method of preparing a composition, the method comprising forming at least a portion of the composition by diluting a thickening powder comprising β -glucan and a carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein diluting the thickening powder comprises mixing the thickening powder in a liquid comprising at least one of water or milk at a liquid to liquid ratio of about 100: 1 to about 15: 1: the powder weight ratio dilutes the thickening powder.

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 14, wherein the carrier ingredient is selected from isomaltulose, sucrose, lactose and mixtures thereof.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the carrier component is isomaltulose.

17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the thickening powder consists of the β -glucan and the carrier component.

18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the thickening powder comprises the carrier component and the beta-glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1.

19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein an aqueous solution is present in the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, all at 20 ℃ at 50s¹And provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

20. A composition comprising:

An aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, the composition comprising an amount of the aqueous solution that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1mPas to about 200mPas, all at 20 ℃ in 50s¹And provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the composition is a liquid, preferably a thin liquid composition.

22. A method of treating a swallowing disorder in a subject having the swallowing disorder, the method comprising administering to the subject a composition comprising an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, the composition comprising an amount of the aqueous solution that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1mPas to about 200mPas, all at 50s at 20 ℃, to the subject^-1And provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

23. A method of promoting safe swallowing of a composition in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising:

Adding to the composition an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, adding to the composition the aqueous solution in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, all at 50s^-1And at 20 ℃; and providing a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃; and

Administering to the individual the composition to which the aqueous solution has been added.

24. A method of reducing the risk of aspiration during swallowing of a composition in an individual in need thereof, the method comprising:

adding to the composition an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, adding to the composition the aqueous solution in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, all at 20 ℃ for 50s^-1At a shear rate of (a); and providing a relaxation time, as determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment, of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms) at a temperature of 20 ℃; and

Administering to the individual the composition to which the aqueous solution has been added.

25. A method for improving the cohesiveness of a composition, the method comprising forming at least a portion of the composition by diluting a thickening powder comprising β -glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the aqueous solution is present in the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, all at 50s¹And 20 ℃ and provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

Background

The present disclosure relates generally to powdered thickeners for promoting safe swallowing of compositions by individuals with dysphagia, methods of treating dysphagia by administering compositions prepared by diluting the powdered thickeners, methods of preparing the powdered thickeners, and methods of improving cohesiveness of compositions by diluting the powdered thickeners. The powdered thickener retains its tensile properties upon reconstitution.

Dysphagia (Dysphagia) is a medical term used for symptoms of Dysphagia. Dysphagia may be a sensation that suggests that solids or liquids (i.e., nutritional products) are difficult to transport from the mouth to the stomach.

During handling of the nutritional product in the oral cavity as well as during swallowing, the viscosity of the nutritional product changes due to the shear forces experienced. In most cases, the viscosity of the nutritional product decreases as the shear and shear rate (e.g., masticatory force) applied to the nutritional product increases. Individuals with dysphagia often require thickened nutritional products. Thickening of the nutritional product is achieved by adding a thickening agent, such as a starch or gum thickener, to increase (among other things) the shear viscosity of the product. The thickened nutritional product reduces the likelihood of aspiration of an individual with dysphagia during transfer of the nutritional product from the oral cavity to the stomach.

Individuals with dysphagia may find that the nutritional product causes coughing, splashing or even choking, and so the thickened nutritional product enables individuals with dysphagia to swallow safely. The addition of thickeners is believed to improve bolus control and timing of swallowing, but individuals with dysphagia dislike the resulting thickness due to the additional swallowing effort required. In addition, thickeners leave a residue with a high viscosity level, resulting in undesirable sensory characteristics. This is particularly relevant for liquids and beverages, as dysphagia patients desire a liquid that still has the organoleptic properties of a true thin liquid rather than a liquid product exhibiting a high viscosity. Furthermore, thickened nutritional products in which only shear viscosity is increased often lack the cohesiveness that saliva typically provides to a food mass.

Dysphagia is divided into three main types: oropharyngeal dysphagia, esophageal dysphagia, and functional dysphagia.

Oropharyngeal dysphagia is often not treatable with medications. Oropharyngeal dysphagia affects individuals of all ages, but is more common in older individuals. Worldwide, oropharyngeal dysphagia affects approximately 2200 million people over the age of 50. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is often the result of an acute event such as a stroke, brain injury, or surgery for oral or laryngeal cancer. In addition, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can weaken muscles and degrade nerves associated with the physiology and innervation of the swallowing reflex. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is also common for individuals with progressive neuromuscular diseases such as parkinson's disease, causing these individuals to experience increasing difficulty in swallowing initiation. Representative causes of oropharyngeal dysphagia include those associated with neurological disorders (brain stem tumors, head trauma, stroke, cerebral palsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, poliomyelitis, post-polio syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, metabolic encephalopathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia), infectious diseases (diphtheria, Porter gonorrhea, Lyme disease, syphilis, mucositis [ herpetic keratitis, cytomegalovirus, Candida species, etc.), autoimmune diseases (lupus, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome), metabolic diseases (amyloidosis, cushing's syndrome), thyrotoxicosis, Wilson's disease, myopathic diseases (connective tissue 15 disease, dermatomyositis, etc.), inflammatory disorders (inflammatory disorders of the brain, inflammatory disorders of the brain, inflammatory processes of the brain, inflammatory diseases of the brain, inflammatory processes of the brain, inflammatory, Myasthenia gravis, myotonic dystrophy, oculopharyngeal dystrophy, polymyositis, sarcoidosis, paraneoplastic syndrome, inflammatory myopathy), iatrogenic diseases (drug side effects [ e.g., chemotherapy, neuroleptics, etc. ], post-surgical musculo-or neurogenic diseases, radiation therapy, erosive [ pill injuries, intentional injuries ]) as well as structural diseases (circumpharyngeal crista, Cenker's diverticulum, cervical webs, oropharyngeal tumors, osteophytes and skeletal abnormalities, congenital diseases [ cleft palate, diverticulum, bursa, etc. ]).

Esophageal dysphagia can affect individuals of all ages. Esophageal dysphagia is commonly treatable with drugs and is considered to be a less severe form of dysphagia. Esophageal dysphagia is often the result of mucosal disease, mediastinal disease, or neuromuscular disease. Mucosal (intrinsic) diseases narrow the lumen by inflammation, fibrosis or tumor formation associated with various conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal rings and esophageal webs (e.g., iron-deficiency dysphagia or the prammer-Vinson syndrome), esophageal tumors, chemical injury (e.g., sclerotherapy of swallowing a corrosive substance, troche esophagitis, varices), radiation injury, infectious esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis). Mediastinal (extrinsic) diseases obstruct the esophagus by direct invasion or by lymph node enlargement associated with various disorders (tumors [ e.g., lung cancer, lymphoma ], infections [ e.g., tuberculosis, histoplasmosis ], and cardiovascular disorders [ atrial dilation and vascular compression ]). Neuromuscular diseases can affect the esophageal smooth muscle and its innervation, interfering with peristalsis or lower esophageal sphincter relaxations, or both, often associated with various conditions (achalasia [ spontaneous and associated with Chagas' disease ]), scleroderma, other motor disorders, and surgical consequences [ i.e., following fundoplication and anti-reflux intervention ]). Individuals with intraluminal foreign bodies often experience acute esophageal dysphagia.

functional dysphagia is limited to a subset of patients in whom no organic cause of dysphagia is found.

Dysphagia is often not diagnosed. The main consequences of dysphagia are affecting health and medical costs of individuals suffering from dysphagia. Individuals with severe dysphagia experience a sensation of impaired transport of the nutritional product from the mouth to the stomach, which occurs immediately after swallowing. In community-resident individuals, the perceived symptoms may prompt individuals with dysphagia to visit a doctor. In hospitalized individuals, the health care practitioner may observe symptoms or listen for opinions of individuals with dysphagia or their family members suggesting swallowing impairment, and then advise individuals with dysphagia to be evaluated by a specialist. Dysphagia is often not diagnosed and treated due to the low overall awareness of swallowing impairments by first-line practitioners. However, the patient may be evaluated clinically, and the diagnosis of dysphagia may be determined by recommending to a swallowing specialist (e.g., speech language pathologist).

The first-line practitioner has less overall awareness of swallowing impairments. Many people, especially the elderly, suffer from swallowing impairment that has not been diagnosed and treated. One reason is that first-line community caregivers (e.g., general practitioners/geriatrics, home care nurses, physiotherapists, etc.) typically do not screen for conditions. If they are aware of the severity of swallowing impairment, they will not typically use a follow-up screening method.

The severity of dysphagia can vary in the following respects: (i) there is a slight (perceived) difficulty in safely swallowing a nutritional product, (ii) an inability to swallow a nutritional product without a significant risk of aspiration or asphyxiation, and (iii) a complete inability to swallow a nutritional product. The inability to properly swallow a nutritional product may be due to the breaking up of the food mass of the nutritional product into smaller pieces that may enter the airway or leave unwanted debris (e.g., aspiration) in the oropharyngeal and/or esophageal passages during the swallowing process. If enough material enters the lungs, the patient may suffocate with the nutritional products accumulated in the lungs. Even small amounts of a malsorbed nutritional product may lead to bronchopneumonia infections, while chronic malsorption may lead to bronchiectasis and may cause some cases of asthma.

Silent aspiration is common in the elderly and refers to aspiration of the oropharyngeal contents during sleep. People can counteract the less severe swallowing impairment by self-restricting the diet. The aging process itself, coupled with chronic diseases such as hypertension or osteoarthritis, predisposes the elderly to dysphagia with potentially undiagnosed and untreated clinical symptoms until clinical complications such as pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition and related complications arise.

Dysphagia and aspiration can affect quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. In institutionally attended individuals with dysphagia and aspiration, the rate of mortality is high (45%) for twelve months. Thus, the economic burden of clinical outcome from diagnosis and lack of early management of dysphagia is significant.

As mentioned, pneumonia is a common clinical consequence of dysphagia. Pneumonia may require acute hospitalization and emergency room visits. Among individuals who develop pneumonia due to aspiration, a differential diagnosis of "aspiration pneumonia" is not necessarily derived due to current care practices.

Pneumonia is life-threatening for individuals with dysphagia, and the chance of death is about 50% within 3 months (van der Steen et al, 2002). In addition, acute injury (intult) such as pneumonia often causes a spiral decline in the health status of elderly people. The damage is associated with malnutrition, hypofunction and weakness resulting from insufficient intake and lack of activity. Specific interventions (e.g., to promote oral health, help restore normal swallowing, or enhance a bolus of swallowing safety) would benefit people at risk of recurrent pneumonia (due to aspiration of oropharyngeal contents, including occult aspiration) or who are experiencing recurrent pneumonia.

Like pneumonia, dehydration is a life-threatening clinical complication of dysphagia. Dehydration is a common complication in hospitalised individuals with neurodegenerative disease (and thus likely with swallowing impairment). Nevertheless, dehydration is an avoidable clinical complication of dysphagia. This highlights the need for a thin liquid that can be safely consumed and is organoleptically acceptable for persons suffering from dysphagia.

Malnutrition and related complications (e.g., [ urinary tract ] infections, pressure ulcers, more severe dysphagia [ requiring more restricted food options, tube feeding and/or Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement, and decreased quality of life ], dehydration, functional decline, and related consequences [ fall, dementia, weakness, loss of mobility, and loss of autonomy ]) can occur when swallowing impairment leads to fear of choking of food and liquids, decreased eating rates, and self-restriction of food choices. Inadequate nutrient intake, if uncorrected, exacerbates dysphagia because muscles that help promote normal swallowing become weakened due to depletion of physiological stores. Malnutrition is associated with having an infection risk that is more than 3 times higher. Infections are common in individuals with neurodegenerative diseases (and thus likely with chronic swallowing impairment that endangers dietary sufficiency).

Malnutrition has a serious impact on patient recovery. Malnourished patients are more likely to be hospitalized again, and are more expensive for hospitalization care. In addition, malnutrition leads to unintended weight loss and significant loss of muscle and strength, ultimately impairing mobility and self-care. As the function is lost, the caregiver becomes increasingly burdened, requiring an informal caregiver first, then a formal caregiver, and then a delivery to the institution for care. Malnutrition, however, is an avoidable clinical complication of dysphagia.

In people with neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., alzheimer's disease), unintentional weight loss (as a marker of malnutrition) occurs prior to cognitive decline. In addition, physical activity can help stabilize cognitive health. Therefore, it is important to ensure that people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders have adequate nutrition to help them possess the strength and endurance to participate in regular therapeutic exercises and to prevent unintentional weight loss, muscle atrophy, loss of physical and cognitive functioning, weakness, dementia and increased burden on caregivers.

Falls and related injuries are a particular concern in elderly people with neurodegenerative disorders, associated with loss of function. Falls are the leading cause of traumatic death in older adults. In other words, by applying evidence-based practices (including medical nutrition therapy, as nutritional interventions are effective in preventing falls and related injuries (e.g. bone fractures) in elderly, falls are a reason that can reasonably be prevented.

Difficulty chewing and swallowing are well recognized risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are considered to be an avoidable medical error that can be reasonably prevented by applying evidence-based practices (including nutritional care, as pressure ulcers are more likely to occur when under-nourished). Pressure ulcers can be reasonably prevented, in part, by ensuring adequate nutrient intake. In addition, specific interventions (including the use of specialized nutritional supplements) help to reduce the time to expect a healing of a pressure ulcer after it occurs.

Disclosure of Invention

as described in co-pending U.S. application serial No. 15/327,745, published as WO2016/012403, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, the inclusion of beta-glucan in a nutritional product surprisingly achieves a similar or identical (and possibly even enhanced) effect of increasing the cohesiveness of a food mass (e.g., for patients with impaired salivation). However, the present inventors have found that dosing of β -glucan as a rheology modifier to achieve a target extensional viscosity in a nutritional formulation is very challenging (for liquids or powders as modifiers) because the amount required to achieve significant extensional behavior is rather low (few wt%). Thus, the inventors have identified carrier ingredients that are neutral to or enhance the tensile properties of the final product.

Surprisingly, the inventors found that the combination of β -glucan with certain carbohydrate carriers (e.g. isomaltulose) shows such effects. The carrier material may be added before or after extraction of the beta-glucan from the oat bran source and separation of insoluble material by centrifugation. To the best of the inventors' knowledge, there are no commercial solutions available to patients that are capable of providing high extensional viscosities to compositions in a controlled manner for safe swallowing.

The inventors found that the addition of isomaltulose resulted in similar or even increased elastic (binding) behavior compared to the oat bran extract reference, depending on the process sequence and pH.

Accordingly, in one general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a thickening powder formulated for dilution into at least a portion of a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or water), the thickening powder comprising a β -glucan and a carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and the carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition.

In one embodiment, the carrier component is selected from isomaltulose, low molecular weight carbohydrates (e.g., sucrose and/or lactose), and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the carrier component is isomaltulose.

In one embodiment, the thickening powder consists essentially of β -glucan and a carrier component. Preferably, the thickening powder consists of beta-glucan and a carrier component.

In one embodiment, the thickening powder comprises a carrier component and β -glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1, preferably about 20: 1 to about 200: 1, more preferably about 20: 1 to about 150: 1 (e.g., about 150: 1), and most preferably about 20: 1 to about 100: 1.

In one embodiment, the thickening powder comprises a carrier component and an oat extract containing β -glucan in a weight ratio of about 1: 1 to about 30: 1, preferably about 2: 1 to about 20: 1, more preferably about 2: 1 to about 15: 1 (e.g., about 15: 1), most preferably about 2: 1 to about 10: 1, e.g., the oat extract contains 14% β -glucan. Preferably, the oat extract contains 10% to 18%, 12% to 16%, or more preferably 14% beta-glucan.

in one embodiment, the composition is a liquid composition.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a thickening powder formulated for dilution into at least a portion of a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or water), the thickening powder comprising a beta-glucan and a carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier ingredient that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The method comprises the following steps: extracting beta-glucan from a source selected from the group consisting of grain, mushroom, yeast, seaweed, algae, and mixtures thereof; and at least one step selected from: (i) adding a carrier component to the source prior to extracting the beta-glucan from the source, and (ii) adding a carrier component to the beta-glucan after extracting the beta-glucan from the source.

In one embodiment, the carrier component comprises isomaltulose.

In one embodiment, the thickening powder comprises a carrier component and β -glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1, preferably about 20: 1 to about 200: 1, more preferably about 20: 1 to about 150: 1 (e.g., about 150: 1), and most preferably about 20: 1 to about 100: 1.

In one embodiment, the thickening powder comprises a carrier component and an oat extract containing β -glucan in a weight ratio of about 1: 1 to about 30: 1, preferably about 2: 1 to about 20: 1, more preferably about 2: 1 to about 15: 1 (e.g., about 15: 1), most preferably about 2: 1 to about 10: 1, e.g., the oat extract contains 14% β -glucan.

In one embodiment, the source comprises oat bran.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier component is added to the source prior to extracting the beta-glucan from the source.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of making a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or a water-based beverage). The method comprises forming at least a part of the composition by diluting a thickening powder comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component which is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component which is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The dilute thickening powder may include dilute thickening powder in a liquid comprising at least one of water or milk at a liquid to powder weight ratio of 100: 1 to 15: 1.

The carrier component may be selected from isomaltulose, low molecular weight carbohydrates (e.g. sucrose and/or lactose) and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the carrier component is isomaltulose. The thickening powder may consist essentially of beta-glucan and a carrier component. Preferably, the thickening powder may consist of beta-glucan and a carrier component. The thickening powder may comprise the carrier component and the beta-glucan in a weight ratio of about 10: 1 to about 300: 1, preferably about 20: 1 to about 200: 1, more preferably about 20: 1 to about 150: 1 (e.g., about 150: 1), most preferably about 20: 1 to about 100: 1. The thickening powder may comprise a carrier component and an oat extract containing beta-glucan in a weight ratio of about 1: 1 to about 30: 1, preferably about 2: 1 to about 20: 1, more preferably about 2: 1 to about 15: 1 (e.g., about 15: 1), most preferably about 2: 1 to about 10: 1, e.g., the oat extract contains 14% beta-glucan. Preferably, the oat extract contains 10% to 18%, 12% to 16%, or more preferably 14% beta-glucan.

The aqueous solution may be present in the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all at 50s¹And 20 ℃ and provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20ms to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50ms to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100ms to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides compositions (e.g., nutrition)Product and/or water-based beverage) comprising: an aqueous solution comprising β -glucan and a carrier component which is a carbohydrate, the β -glucan and the carrier component which is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The composition comprises an amount of an aqueous solution that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all at 20 ℃ in 50s¹And provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20ms to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50ms to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100ms to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃. Preferably, the composition is a water-based beverage, more preferably, the composition is a liquid composition, even more preferably a thin liquid composition. The composition can be used for treating dysphagia.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of treating a swallowing disorder in a subject suffering from a swallowing disorder. The method comprises orally administering to the individual a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or a water-based beverage) comprising an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The composition comprises an amount of an aqueous solution that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all measured at 20 ℃ at a shear rate of 50s "1, and a relaxation time as determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20 to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50 to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100 to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides for promoting a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or water) inA method of safe swallowing in an individual in need thereof. The method comprises the following steps: adding to the composition an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component which is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component which is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The aqueous solution is added to the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all at 50s at 20 ℃ to about 20mPas^-1And provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20ms to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50ms to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100ms to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃. The method comprises administering to the individual a composition to which an aqueous solution has been added.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of reducing the risk of aspiration during swallowing of a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or water) in an individual in need thereof. The method comprises the following steps: adding to the composition an aqueous solution comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition, adding the aqueous solution to the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all at 20 ℃ at 50s, and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, and adding the aqueous solution to the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, and most^-1and provides a relaxation time determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment of from about 10 milliseconds (ms) to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20ms to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50ms to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100ms to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃. The method comprises administering to the individual a composition to which an aqueous solution has been added. Preferably, the composition is water.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for improving the cohesiveness of a composition (e.g., a nutritional product and/or water). The method comprises the following steps: at least a portion of the composition is formed by diluting a thickening powder comprising beta-glucan and a carrier component that is a carbohydrate, the beta-glucan and the carrier component that is a carbohydrate being neutral to or enhancing the tensile properties of the composition. The aqueous solution may be present in the composition in an amount that provides the composition with a shear viscosity of from about 1 to about 200mPas, preferably from about 2 to about 100mPas, more preferably from about 4 to about 50mPas, most preferably from about 5 to about 20mPas, all measured at 20 ℃ at a shear rate of 50s1, and a relaxation time, determined by a capillary breakup extensional rheology (CaBER) experiment, of from about 10 to about 2,000 milliseconds (ms), preferably from about 20 to about 1,000ms, more preferably from about 50 to about 500ms, and most preferably from about 100 to about 200ms, all measured at a temperature of 20 ℃.

An advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to facilitate safer swallowing of a bolus of a nutritional product in an individual with dysphagia.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to improve the life of a large and growing number of individuals suffering from dysphagia.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is that supporting a particular intervention (e.g., to promote oral health, help restore normal swallowing, or enhance a swallow-safe bolus) can enable an individual to eat orally rather than tube feeding and/or require PEG placement and experience psychosocial aspects of the nutritional product associated with overall well-being, while preventing potential negative consequences due to lack of sufficient swallowing ability.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is that it improves nutritional product intake for individuals suffering from dysphagia and thus may enable such individuals to safely and comfortably swallow a greater variety of nutritional products, which may result in a healthier overall condition of the individual and prevent further health-related decline.

Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to provide natural cohesiveness that saliva typically provides to a food mass of a nutritional product when consumed by an individual.

Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to alter the rheological properties of the nutritional product to prevent bolus infiltration and aspiration.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a nutritional product having similar cohesiveness to saliva produced in the oral cavity, thereby providing a more natural feeling to individuals suffering from dysphagia.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a nutritional product that lacks the thickening sensation (high shear viscosity) from conventional thickeners because one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure do not leave a residue in the oral cavity of an individual suffering from dysphagia. This is particularly relevant for liquid products that should retain their thin liquid character.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is a nutritional product having sensory characteristics that are superior to known thickened nutritional products.

Further, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is improved cohesion of the food mass to prevent the food mass from breaking down into smaller pieces that may enter the airway or leave unwanted debris in the oropharyngeal and/or esophageal passages during the swallowing process.

Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to reduce swallowing efforts in individuals with dysphagia.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to reduce the risk of debris accumulation in the oropharyngeal and/or esophageal tract of dysphagia patients.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is to increase cohesiveness and improve nutritional intake for individuals suffering from dysphagia by enabling individuals to safely and comfortably swallow a wider range of food and beverage products, for example by improving lump integrity ("cohesiveness"), thereby giving confidence to individuals suffering from dysphagia to enable the individuals to consume a wider range of products.

Another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is improved swallowing ability and efficiency, thereby improving safety by reducing the risk of pulmonary aspiration.

Furthermore, another advantage of one or more embodiments provided by the present disclosure is greater independence from feeding assistance and/or a reduced length of time for feeding assistance during meal consumption.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will be apparent from, the following drawings and detailed description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method used in the experimental embodiments disclosed herein.

Fig. 2 is a table showing results from experimental examples disclosed herein.

Fig. 3 is a graph showing results from experimental examples disclosed herein.

Detailed Description

Definition of

Some definitions are provided below. However, definitions may be located in the "embodiments" section below, and the above heading "definitions" does not imply that such disclosure in the "embodiments" section is not a definition.

All percentages expressed herein are by weight of the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise indicated. The weight based on total solids is expressed as "% TS".

As used herein, "about" and "substantially" are understood to mean a number within a range of values, for example in the range of-10% to + 10% of the number referred to, preferably-5% to + 5% of the number referred to, more preferably-1% to + 1% of the number referred to, most preferably-0.1% to + 0.1% of the number referred to. All numerical ranges herein should be understood to include all integers or fractions within the range. Additionally, these numerical ranges should be understood to provide support for claims directed to any number or subset of numbers within the range. For example, a disclosure of 1 to 10 should be understood to support a range of 1 to 8, 3 to 7, 1 to 9, 3.6 to 4.6, 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" ("a," "an," and "the") include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "an ingredient" or "the ingredient" includes two or more ingredients.

The words "comprise", "comprises" and "comprising" are to be construed as inclusive and not exclusive. Likewise, the terms "including" and "or" ("include," and "or") should be considered inclusive, unless the context clearly prohibits such interpretation. However, the compositions disclosed herein may be free of any elements not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, disclosure of embodiments using the term "comprising" includes disclosure of embodiments "consisting essentially of and embodiments" consisting of the indicated components. A composition "consisting essentially of" contains at least 75% by weight of a reference component, preferably at least 85% by weight of a reference component, more preferably at least 90% by weight of a reference component, and most preferably at least 95% by weight of a reference component.

The term "and/or" as used in the context of "X and/or Y" should be interpreted as "X" or "Y" or "X and Y". As used herein, the terms "example" and "such as" (especially when followed by a list of terms) are merely exemplary and illustrative and should not be considered exclusive or comprehensive.

The term "nutritional product" refers to a product or composition intended for ingestion by an individual (such as a human being) and providing at least one nutrient to the individual.

"preventing" includes reducing the risk and/or severity of a condition or disorder. The terms "treat," "alleviate," and "alleviate" include both prophylactic or preventative treatment (prevention and/or slowing of the development of the pathological condition or disorder of interest) and curative, therapeutic, or disease-modifying treatment, including curative, slowing, lessening the symptoms of, and/or interrupting the progression of, a diagnosed pathological condition or disorder; and includes treating patients at risk of contracting a disease or suspected of contracting a disease, as well as treating patients who are ill or have been diagnosed as having a disease or medical condition. The term does not necessarily mean that the individual is treated until complete recovery. These terms also refer to health maintenance and/or promotion in individuals who do not have the disease but may be prone to developing unhealthy conditions. These terms are also intended to include the enhancement or otherwise enhancement of one or more primary preventative or therapeutic measures. The terms "treat," "alleviate," and "alleviate" are also intended to include dietary management of a disease or condition or dietary management of preventing or preventing a disease or condition. The treatment may be patient-related or physician-related.

The term "individual" refers to any animal, including humans, that may suffer from cognitive aging and thus benefit from one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Generally, the subject is a human or avian animal, bovine, canine, equine, feline, caprine, wolf, murine, ovine, and porcine animal. A "companion animal" is any domesticated animal and includes, but is not limited to, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters, mice, gerbils, horses, cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, pigs, and the like. Preferably, the subject is a human or a companion animal, such as a dog or cat.

As used herein, an "effective amount" is an amount that prevents a defect, treats a disease or medical condition in an individual, or more generally, reduces symptoms, manages progression of its disease, or provides a nutritional, physiological, or medical benefit to an individual. The relative terms "promoting", "improving", "increasing", "enhancing", and the like refer to the effect of a nutritional product comprising the thickened powders disclosed herein relative to a nutritional product lacking the thickened powders but otherwise identical.

Beta-glucans ("Beta-glucans" and "Beta-glucans") refer to homopolysaccharides of D-glucopyranose monomers linked by (1 → 3), (1 → 4) glycosidic linkages. Beta-glucans can be obtained from plant or microbial sources by methods well known to the skilled person, such as from cereals (e.g. oats, barley), certain types of mushrooms (reishi, lentinus edodes, maitake), yeasts, seaweed and algae, for example as described by Lazaridou et al in "A synthetic study on structure-function relationships of mixed-links (1 → 3), (1 → 4) linear beta-D-glucans' in food hydrocolloids, 18(2004)," 837-855 "(comparative study of the structure-function relationships of mixed links (1 → 3), (1 → 4) linear beta-D-glucans", "food colloid", 2004, Vol.18, p.837-855) ".

"isomaltulose" is 6-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-D-fructose and is also known as Palatinose^TM。