Soluble oat flour and method of making utilizing enzymes

1. A method of producing a whole oat flour having soluble fiber comprising:

combining a whole oat flour starting mixture and an α-amylase enzyme water solution to form a wetted enzyme starting mixture having a moisture content of about 25 to about 40 wt. %;

heating the wetted enzyme starting mixture to between about 120° F. and about 200° F.; and

adding the heated wetted mixture to an extruder and extruding for 1 to 1.5 minutes at a barrel temperature of about 140° F. to about 250° F. to form the whole oat flour having soluble fiber;

wherein the temperature of the mixture increases in the extruder to a temperature to deactivate the enzyme.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the whole oat flour starting mixture comprises whole oat flour, granulated sugar, and at least one antioxidant.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the whole oat flour starting mixture further comprises a maltodextrin.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the whole oat flour starting mixture comprises about 50 to about 95 wt % whole oat flour, about 3 to about 15 wt. % granulated sugar, 0 to about 15 wt. % maltodextrin, and at least one antioxidant.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the whole oat flour starting mixture comprises about 80 to about 95 wt. % whole oat flour.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the whole oat flour starting mixture comprises about 90 to about 95 wt. % whole oat flour.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising forming pelletized whole oat flour having soluble fiber.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising granulating the pelletized whole oat flour having soluble fiber.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the extruding occurs at a dough temperature of about 212° F. to about 260° F.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the wetted enzyme starting mixture is heated to 140° F. to about 180° F.

11. A method for preparing a beverage containing a whole oat flour having soluble fiber comprising:

combining a whole oat flour starting mixture and an α-amylase enzyme water solution to form wetted enzyme starting mixture having a moisture content of about 25 to about 40 wt. %;

heating the wetted enzyme starting mixture to between about 120° F. and about 200° F.; and

adding the heated wetted mixture to an extruder and extruding for 1 to 1.5 minutes at a barrel temperature of about 140° F. to about 250° F. to form the whole oat flour having soluble fiber;

wherein the temperature of the mixture increases in the extruder to a temperature to deactivate the enzyme; and

adding the whole oat flour having soluble fiber to a beverage.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the beverage is selected from the group consisting of fruit juices, dairy beverages, and carbonated soft drinks.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the whole oat flour having soluble fiber is added to provide a beverage having 1 to 25 wt. % fiber based on total weight of the beverage.

14. A beverage prepared in accordance with the method of claim 11 .

15. A method for preparing a food product containing a whole oat flour having soluble fiber comprising:

combining a whole oat flour starting mixture and an α-amylase enzyme water solution to form a wetted enzyme starting mixture having a moisture content of about 25 to about 40 wt. %;

heating the wetted enzyme starting mixture to between about 120° F. and about 200°; and

adding the heated wetted mixture to an extruder and extruding for 1 to 1.5 minutes at a barrel temperature of about 140° F. to about 250° F. to form the whole oat flour having soluble fiber;

wherein the temperature of the mixture increases in the extruder to a temperature to deactivate the enzyme; and

adding the whole oat flour having soluble fiber to a mixture for a food product.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the food product is selected from the group consisting of bars, cereals, puddings, smoothies, ice cream, cookies, and crackers.