BEVERAGE COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF PREVENTING DEGRADATION OF VITAMINS IN BEVERAGES
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a method of preventing vitamin
degradation in vitamin-containing compositions and the resulting composition, which may be a beverage. More particularly, the inventive composition is directed to a vitamin-containing composition that contains Vitamin A, Vitamin Dt Vitamin B12, or mixtures thereof and a vitamin stabilizer.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Vitamins are essential nutrients which serve many functions.
Vitamin deficiency has been cited as a neglected public health problem. As a result, the food and beverage industry has created vitamin fortified compositions to increase the vitamin intake by consumers. However, from the time the vitamin-containing product leaves the production facility and reaches the consumer, the product may be exposed to air, light, acid, temperature, and other ingredient interactions. Unfortunately, exposure to any of the above elements results in vitamin degradation.
[0003] It has been found that light penetration, particularly fluorescent
light, in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and glass bottles can degrade Vitamin A such that claims of Vitamin A content at trade age do not meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). Even at significant levels of 3500 International Units (IU) of Vitamin A, current technologies in PET could not spare Vitamin A content to a 20% dietary reference intake (DRI) claim of 1000 IU. For example, a freshly prepared 3500 IU Vitamin A containing fruit juice in a 20 oz. PET bottle exposed to typical store fluorescent light (as found in in-store visi-coolers) for one week results in approximately 1000 IU of remaining Vitamin A content. The average trade age to a consumer purchase could be significantly longer in time
[0004] Therefore, a need exists to prevent degradation of vitamins in
vitamin-containing compositions, including Vitamin A, as a result of exposure to light, particularly fluorescent light (as found in in-store visi-coolers) when the composition is contained in a clear or substantially clear bottle, such as PET and glass bottles.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vitamin-
containing composition comprising a vitamin selected from Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and mixtures thereof, and at least one vitamin stabilizer, is provided. Typically, the stabilizer will be present in an amount effective to provide at least some stabilization and provide protection from degradation of the vitamins present in the composition. The vitamin stabilizer stabilizes the vitamin or vitamins in the composition and prevents vitamin degradation from exposure to fight and particularly to fluorescent light and comprises a vitamin stabilizer comprising a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure represented by a formula selected from:

[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a
method for preventing or at least reducing vitamin degradation caused by light, and particularly by fluorescent light, in a vitamin-containing composition is provided. The method comprises adding at least one vitamin stabilizer comprising a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure represented by any one of the formulas in Figure 1 or mixtures thereof. Generally, at least one vitamin stabilizer is added in an amount effective to provide at least some vitamin stabilization to at least reduce the rate of vitamin degradation due to, for example, light exposure and particularly fluorescent light.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0007] Phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds (C6-C3) have been found to
prevent vitamin degradation in beverages. C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds are ubiquitous in the family of secondary plant metabolites. Such compounds can be derived from a number of botanical substances or it can be manufactured synthetically. Many of these substances are currently approved for food and beverage use,
[O0OB] While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that these
compounds prevent degradation by acting as a vitamin stabilizer. The vitamin
stabilizer is one of many substances known to be radical scavengers. Free
radicals are believed to be the major reactive species in the process of light
induced degradation of ingredients. When sufficient radical scavenger
concentrations are maintained in a clear packaged beverage, light induced
degradation of ingredients can be reduced to a certain level over the lifetime of a
beverage on the shelf. It is believed that the vitamin stabilizers of the present
invention scavenge free radicals generated in the beverage during fluorescent
light degradation of Vitamin A. The fluorescent light exposure typically occurs
when a beverage is stored in refirgerated visi-coolers installed in stores.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vitamin-
containing composition is provided that comprises at least one vitamin and at least one vitamin stabilizer. Vitamins suitable for the present invention include,

witnout limitation, Vitamin A and its palmitate, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and mixtures thereof. Such vitamins are well known in the art and are readily commercially available.
[0010] The vitamin or vitamins can be present in the composition in
amounts as desired. Typically, the vitamin is present in a vitamin-containing composition of the present invention in an amount sufficient to meet or exceed the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). However, the RDA are guidelines that are subject to revision from time to time; therefore, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the amount of vitamin in the food composition can be adjusted to comply with the guidelines as they evolve or as they may exist at any point in time.
[0011] The vitamin stabilizer of the present invention is, in its broadest
sense, a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound which contains both (i) unsaturation and (ii) oxidation at a carbon atom. The C6-C3phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound can be either botanically derived or synthetically manufactured. The generic C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure can be represented by any of isomeric formulae (a), (b), and (c) below:


[0012] Any compound possessing such a structure alone or as part of a
larger structure is suitable for use as a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound, i.e., a botanically derived or synthetically manufactured vitamin stabilizer, of the present invention, provided that it provides at least some protection or reduction from vitamin degradation. The vitamin stabilizers may be commercially available, may be synthesized according to procedures known in the art or may be supplied by, derived from or isolated or extracted from known botanicals or extracts thereof. A representative extraction procedure includes the one disclosed by B. Buszewski, et al., J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., vol. 11, no. 3, p. 211-215(1993).
[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, C6-C3
phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds suitable for use in the present invention include, without limitation, rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, cichoric acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, cinnamic acid, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, caftaric add, eichloric acid, echinacoside and combinations thereof. It is clear from the structures set forth below that the generic structure Figure 2(a) is present in materials such as rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, and cichoric acid.



[0014] It is also clear from the structures of these substances that
substitution of the generic C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure Figure 2(a), and for that matter substitution of structures Figure 2(b) and Figure 2(c)t so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents include, without limitation, hydroxy!, methoxyl, and others as usually found in plant metabolite phenols. Further, it can be readily appreciated that cichoric acid may well be a more effective vftamin stabilizer than some of the other listed acids, given the presence of two structures Figure 2(a) therein. Generally, it is found that the addition of hydroxyl groups on the aryl rings enhances vitamin stabilization. Hence, vitamin stabilization ability of caffeic acid (2 hydroxyl groups) >ferulic acid >coumaric acid cinnamic acid (no hydroxyl groups) is observed.
[0015] !n certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
above-listed C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound of the botanically derived vitamin stabilizer is provided via an extract of a botanical. Extracts suitable for use in the present invention include, without limitation, rosemary extract, green coffee bean extract, blueberry extract, rhododendron extract, sunflower kernel extract, chicory leaf extract, purple coneflower extract, lettuce

extract and combinations thereof. More generally, extracts of botanicals in any of the labiatae, ericaceae or asteraceae families are suitable for use. As can be seen in Table 1 below, each of the above-noted extracts contains one or more C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds which serve as a vitamin stabilizer.
Table 1

[0016] One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the
amount of a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound present in a given extract will vary. Different species by nature may possess varying amounts of a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound. The amount may also vary depending on the stage of development of a given botanical. As an illustration, Table 2 below shows the variation in chlorogenic acid and echinacoside content in the 'Magical Ruth1 cuttivar of Echinacea purpurea.


results are obtained from 20 plants replicated three times; W. Letchamo, et at., "Cichoric Acid ... in Echinaoea purpurea as Influenced by Flower Developmental Stages", Perspectives on New Crops and New Uses, J. Janick, ed.t ASHS Press, Alexandria, VA, pp. 494-498 (1999).
[0017] In addition, the cichoric acid content of "Magical Ruth* varies from
4.67% at stage I to 1.42% at stage IV. Therefore, it would seem that early
cultivation would provide the richest extract of desirable vitamin stabilizers.
[0018] Other C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compounds suitable for use
in the present invention include, without limitation, cinnamoyl esters, coumarins, chalcones, flavones, chromones, isoflavones, and combinations thereof. Many of these types of compounds can be derived from a group of known natural products called flavonoids, which are found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and flowers, as well as in teas and wines; flavonoids have demonstrated many biological and pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antiviral, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-allergic and inhibitory activities on several enzymes. As can be seen from structures below, each of cinnamoyl esters Figure 4(a), coumarins Figure 4(b), chalcones Figure 4(c) and flavones Figure 4(d) incorporates the generic C6-C3 structure Figure 2(a)f chromones Figure 4(e) incorporate the generic C6-C3 structure Figure 2(c) and isoflavones Figure 4(f) incorporate the generic C6-C3 structure Figure 2(b).

[0019] Cinnamoyl esters (flavors) suitable for use in the present invention
include, without limitation, cinnamyl formate, cinnamyl acetate, ethyl dnnamate, cinnamyl propionate, cinnamyi alpha-toluate, cinnamyl 2-amino benzoate, cinnamyl anthranilate, cinnamyl benzoate, cinnamyl beta-phenyl acrylate, cinnamyl butyrate, cinnamyl cinnamate, cinnamyl isobutyrate, cinnamyl isovalerate, cinnamyl methyl ketone, cinnamyl ortho-amino benzoate, cinnamyl phenyl acetate, cinnamyl 3-phenyl propenoate and combinations thereof. It is clear that substitution on the generic structure Figure 4{a), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents for the generic structure Figure 4(a) include, without limitation, any alky] group including linear, non-linear, cyclic and acyclic alkyls, as well as unsubstituted and substituted alkyls.
[0020] Coumarins suitable for use in the present invention include, without
limitation, coumarin, coumestrol, dalbergin, daphnetin, escutetin, crtropten, noralbergin, umbelliferone, scopoletin, xanthotoxol, psoraten, bergapten, fraxetin and combinations thereof. It is clear that substitution on the generic structure Figure 4(b), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents for the generic structure Figure 4(b) include, without limitation, OH, OCH3, C6H4O2, Ph and CH2=CHO. Table 3 below sets forth the substituents present for the above-listed coumarin compounds suitable for use in the present invention.


Holes: Ph = phenyl blank box = H
[0021] Chalcones suitable for use in the present invention include, without
imitation, chaicone, polyhydroxychalcones, butein, phloridzin, echinatin, marein, soliquiritigentn, phloretin and combinations thereof. It is clear that substitution on he generic structure Figure 4{c), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain i wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents for the generic structure Figure 4(c) include, without limitation, OH, OCH3 and OGIc. Table 4

Deiow sets roan the subsituants preseni ror tne above-listed cnalcone compounds suitable for use in the present invention.
Table 4

Notes: Glc = glucose blank box = H
[0022] Flavones suitable for use in the present invention include, without
limitation, rhoifolin, diosmtn, apiin, apigenin, myricetin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, neodiosmin, quercetin, rutin, balcalein, cupressuflavone, datiscetin, diosmetin, fisetin, galangin, gossypetin, geraldol, hinokiflavone, scutellarein, flavonol, primuletin, pratol, robinetin, quercetagetin, (OH)4 flavone, tangeritin, sinensetin, fortunelin, kampferide, chrysoeriol, isorhamnetin, vitexin and combinations thereof.
[0023] Flavones are primarily bitter, e.g., quercetin, and insoluble.
However, at the use levels of the vitamin stabilizers, the normally associated bitter tastes are not perceived in the utilized beverage matrices due to the phenomenon of mixture suppression of bitterness by the formulated sweetness

and sourness, the maximally preferred use levels of all vitamin stabilizers are governed by their solubility in the desired beverage matrices as determined by routine experimentation.
[0024] It is clear from the structures set forth below that generic structure
Figure 4(d) is present in materials such as rhoifolin and rutin.
[0025] It is also clear from the structures of these flavones that substitution
on the generic structure Figure 4(d), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents include, without limitation, OH, ORut, OApioGIc, ONeoHesp, dlmer, OCH3 and OGIc. Table 5 below sets forth the substituents present for the above-fisted flavone compounds suitable for use in the present invention.

Notes: Rut = rutinose; NeoHesp = neohesperidose; ApioGIc - apiose-glucose; Glc = glucose blank box = H
[0026] Chromones such as chromone are suitable for use in the present
invention. It is clear that substitution on the generic structure Figure 4(e), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom as in Figure 2(c) remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of

sufferable vitamin stablizers. suitable substituents for the generic structure Figure
4(e) include, without limitation, OH, OCH3, OGlc, and the like.
[0027] Isoflavones suitable for use in the present invention include, without
limitation, daidzin, daidzein, biochamin A, prunetin, genistin, glycitein, glycitin, genistein, 6,7,4'-tri(OH)isoflavone, 7,3'4'-tri(OH)isoflavone and combinations thereof. It is clear that substitution on the generic structure Figure 4(f), so long as both unsaturation near and oxidation at a carbon atom as in Figure 2(b) remain, is intended. In fact, substitution is necessary to obtain a wide range of suitable vitamin stabilizers. Suitable substituents for the generic structure Figure 4(f) include, without limitation, OH, OCH3 and OGIc. Table 6 below sets forth the substituents present for the above-listed isoflavone compounds suitable for use in the present invention.



[0028] In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the
above-noted C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyi compounds having any of generic structures Figure 4(a)-(f) can be supplied via an extract of a botanical. Extracts suitable for use in the present invention include, without limitation, horse chestnut, dandelion, eucalyptus, red stringybark, saw palmetto, honeysuckle, hawthorn, noni fruit, red clover, orange, grapefruit, citrumelo, attani, pummelo, sour, orange, lernelo, Natsudaidai orange, buckwheat, chamomile and combinations thereof. As can be seen in Table 7 below, each of the above-noted extracts contains one or more C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyi compounds which serve as a botanically derived vitamin stabilizer.



[0029] As noted above with regard to the botanicals of Table 7. one of
ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the amount of a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound present in a given extract will vary. Different species by nature may possess varying amounts of a C8-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound. The amount may also vary depending on the stage of development of a given botanical or the portion of the botanical from which the extraction is performed. For example, for many of the citrus fruits, higher concentrations of flavones and flavonols occur in the leaves than in the flavedo, albedo and juice vesicles.
[0030] Typically, any of the above-noted vitamin stabilizers (generic
structures Figure 2{a)-(c) and Figure 4(a)-(f)) is present in a vitamin-containing composition of the present invention in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of stabilizer in a beverage ranging from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, preferably from about 50 ppm to about 300 ppm, and more preferably from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm. When the vitamin stabilizer is supplied via an extract of a botanical, the extract is present in a vitamin-containing composition of the present invention in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of stabilizer in a beverage in the same amounts noted above. It is important to note that extracts may have varying amounts of stabilizer contained therein. For example, an

extract may contain 5% active ingredient or stabilizer; accordingly, the use of 500
ppm of the extract would result in the use of 25 ppm of the stabilizer.
[0031] A second aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of
preventing vitamin degradation in a vitamin-containing beverage comprising
adding to said beverage a vitamin stabilizing amount of a vitamin stabilizer.
[0032] Beverages include, without limitation, carbonated soft drinks,
fountain beverages, frozen ready-to-drink beverages, coffee beverages, tea beverages, powdered soft drinks, as well as liquid concentrates, flavored waters, vitamin-enhanced waters, fruit juice and fruit juice flavored drinks, sport drinks, dairy products and alcoholic products. The beverage may be carbonated or noncarbonated. The beverage may be hot-filled.
[0033] The vitamin-containing beverage may be fortified by virtue of the
presence of one or more of the above-noted vitamins. Additionally, the vitamin
stabilizer is also the same as described above with respect to the first aspect of
the present invention. The vitamin-containing composition may be included at
any stage of beverage manufacture, i.e., syrup, concentrate, finished beverage.
[0034] As noted above, a "vitamin stabilizing amount" refers to an amount
sufficient to substantially lessen or prevent the degradation of vitamins in a vitamin-containing beverage. Typically, a vitamin stabilizer is added to a vitamin-containing beverage in an amount ranging from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm, preferably from about 50 ppm to about 300 ppm, and more preferably from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm. When the vitamin stabilizer is supplied via an extract of a botanical, the extract is present in a vitamin-containing food composition of the present invention in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of stabilizer in a beverage in the same amounts noted above.
[0035] Optionally, the method of preventing degradation of vitamins in a
vitamin-containing beverage according to the present invention further comprises adding to said beverage a non-aryl enoic carbonyl compound selected from sorbic acid, aconitic acid, abscisic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, or any combination thereof. When present, a non-aryl enoic carbonyl compound is

typically aaaea TO a oeverage in an amount ranging Trom about 10 pprn to about
200 ppm, and preferably from about 25 ppm to about 100 ppm.
[0036] A third aspect of the present invention is directed to a stable
vitamin-containing beverage comprising a vitamin and a vitamin stabilizing amount of a vitamin stabilizer. The stable vitamin-containing beverage of the third aspect of the present invention may optionally contain a non-aryl enoic carbonyl compound selected from sorbic acid, aconitic acid, abscisic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, or any combination thereof. The amounts of each of the vitamin, the vitamin stabilizer and the non-aryl enoic carbonyl compound are as described above with respect to the first and second aspects of the invention.

Example 1 Clear L/L CSD with Vitamin C and EDTA in clear glass
[0037] A clear lemon-lime (UL) carbonated soft drink (CSD) with Vitamin C
and ethylene-diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was prepared. Seven samples of the carbonated soft drink were prepared each containing 2500 IU of Vitamin A Palmitate which can be obtained from Roche and the amount of rutin, SanMelin or blueberry leaves extract indicated in Table 8. All samples were packaged in dear glass containers. The Dark and Light samples were each free of rutin, SanMeiin or blueberry leaves extract. The Dark sample was shielded from light. AH the other samples, including the Light sample were exposed to typical store fluorescent light. The values in the table were all measured at one week.

Example 2 Clear L/L CSD with Vitamin C and EDTA in clear glass
[0038] Example 2 differed from Example 1 in that the starting amount of
Vitamin A Palmitate was 2000 III.
Example 3 Pink Lemonade 5% Juice Non-carbonated in PET bottle
[0039] A non-carbonated pink lemonade beverage composed of 5% juice
was prepared. Seven samples like the ones in Examples 1 and 2 were prepared except that the starting amount of Vitamin A Palmitate was 3500 III and the samples were packaged in PET containers.
Example 4 High acid milk product in clear glass, retorted
[0040] A high acid milk product was prepared. Seven samples like the
ones in Example 2 were prepared each containing 2000 IU of Vitamin A Palmitate and retorted.
[0041] While the invention has been described with respect to certain
preferred embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Example 2 Clear LA CSD with Vitamin C and EDTA in clear glass
[0038] Example 2 differed from Example 1 in that the starting amount of
Vitamin A Palmitate was 2000 IU.
Example 3 Pink Lemonade 5% Juice Non-carbonated in PET bottle
[0039] A non-carbonated pink lemonade beverage composed of 5% juice
was prepared. Seven samples like the ones in Examples 1 and 2 were prepared except that the starting amount of Vitamin A Palmitate was 3500 IU and the samples were packaged in PET containers.
Example 4 High acid milk product in clear glass, retorted
[0040] A high acid milk product was prepared. Seven samples like the
ones in Example 2 were prepared each containing 2000 IU of Vitamin A Palmitate and retorted.
[0041] While the invention has been described with respect to certain
preferred embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes, modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims:
1. A vitamin-containing composition comprising a vitamin selected from the
group consisting of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and mixtures thereof, and
at least one vitamin stabilizer comprising a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl
structure represented by a formula selected from the group consisting of.

2. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the
Vitamin A is Vitamin A Palmitate.
3. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1t wherein the
vitamin stabilizer is present in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of
vitamin stabilizer in a beverage ranging from about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm.
4. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 3, wherein the
vitamin stabilizer is present in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of
vitamin stabilizer in a beverage ranging from about 50 ppm to about 300 ppm.

0. I he vitamin-containing composition according to claim 4, wherein the vitamin stabilizer is present in an amount sufficient to provide an amount of vitamin stabilizer in a beverage ranging from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm.
6. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the
vitamin stabilizer is botanically derived.
7. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the
vitamin stabilizer is synthetically derived.
8. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the
C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl compound is selected from the group consisting
of rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, cichoric acid, caffeic acid, coumaric acid,
cinnamic acid, feruiic acid, sinapic acid, caftaric acid, eichbric acid, echinacoside
and mixtures thereof.
9. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1, wherein the
C6-C3 phenylpropenaic carbonyl compound is selected from the group consisting
of cinnamoy! esters, coumarins, chalcones, flavones, chromones, isoflavones,
and mixtures thereof.
10. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
cinnamoyl ester is selected from the group consisting of cinnamyl formate,
cinnamyl acetate, ethyl cinnamate, cinnamyl propionate, cinnamyl alpha-toluate,
cinnamyl 2-amino benzoate, cinnamyl anthranilate, cinnamyl benzoate, cinnamyl
beta-phenyl acrylate, cinnamyl butyrate, cinnamy! cinnamate, cinnamyl
isobutyrate, cinnamyl isovalerate, cinnamyi methyl ketone, cinnamyl ortho-amino
benzoate, cinnamy! phenyl acetate, cinnamy! 3-phenyl propenoate and mixtures
thereof.
11. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
coumarin is selected from the group consisting of coumarin, coumestrol,

dalbergin, daphnetin, esculetin, citropten, noralbergin, umbellerone, scopoietin, xanthotoxol, psoralen, bergapten, fraxetin and mbctures thereof.
12. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
chalcone is selected from the group consisting of chalcone,
polyhydroxychaicones, butein, phloridzin, echinatin, marein, isoliquiritigenin,
phloretin and mixtures thereof.
13. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
flavone is selected from the group consisting of rhoifolin, diosmin, apiin, aptgenin,
myricetin, kaempferol, luteolin, morin, neodiosmin, quercetin, rutint balcatein,
cupressuflavone, datiscetin, diosmetin, fisetin, galangin, gossypetin, geraidol,
hinokiflavone, scutellarein, flavono!, primuletin, pratol, robinetin, quercetagetin,
{OH)4 flavone, tangeritin, sinensetin, fortunelin, kampferide, chryoeriol,
isorhamnetin, vitexin and mixtures thereof.
14. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
chromone is chromone.
15. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 9, wherein the
isoflavone is selected from the group consisting of daidzin, daidzein, biochamin
A, prunetin, genistin, glycitein, glycitin, genistein, 6,7,4'-tri(OH)isoflavone, 7,3',4',-
tri(OH)isoflavone and mixtures thereof.
16. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 13, wherein the
rutin is an enzymatically modified isoquercitrin.
17. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 6, wherein the
botanically derived vitamin stabilizer is supplied by an extract of a botanical.
18. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 17, wherein the
extract is selected from the group consisting of rosemary extract, green coffee

Dean extract, blueoerry extract, rhoaoaenaron extract, sunflower Kernel extract, chicory leaf extract, purple coneflower extract, lettuce extract and mixtures thereof.
19. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 17, wherein the
extract is selected from the group consisting of horse chestnut extract, dandelion
extract, eucalyptus extract, stringybark extract, saw palmetto extract,
honeysuckle extract, hawthorn extract, noni fruit extract, red clover extract,
orange extract, buckwheat extract, chamomile extract and mixtures thereof.
20. The vitamin-containing composition according to claim 1 further
comprising a non-aryl enoic carbonyl compound selected from the group
consisting of sorbic acid, aconitic acid, abscisic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid
and mixtures thereof.
21. A method of preventing degradation of vitamins in a vitamin-containing
beverage comprising:
adding at least one vitamin stabilizing compound wherein said stabilizing compound comprises a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure represented by a formula selected from the group consisting of:



and mixtures thereof.
22. A stable, vitamin-containing beverage comprising a vitamin selected from the group consisting of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and mixtures thereof, and at least one vitamin stabilizer comprising a C6-C3 phenylpropenoic carbonyl structure represented by a formula selected from the group consisting of:

Dated this 3 day of November 2006