Alkoxylated alcohol fat substitutes

Reference Number: N 04-04

Inventors: Cooper, Charles F.; Harper, Stephen D.

USPTO Link: 5736174

Invention Summary

We have now found that certain alkoxylated alcohols having both short and long chain oxyalkylene units incorporated therein may be directly utilized as reduced calorie fat substitutes without the need to substantially esterify the hydroxyl groups present with fatty acids. This finding was quite unexpected in view of the prior art in the field, which generally teaches that polymeric aliphatic epoxides are too hydrophilic to function as oils or fats.

This invention provides a fat component useful for preparing a reduced calorie food product comprised of an edible triglyceride and an alkoxylated alcohol.

The present invention also furnishes a reduced calorie food product comprised of at least one non-fat ingredient and a fat component, wherein said fat component is comprised of an alkoxylated alcohol having the structure described hereinabove. Additionally provided is a method of reducing calories in a food products comprised of a fat component, where the method comprises replacing at least 25% by weight of the fat component with any of the aforementioned alkoxylated alcohols.