NUTRITIONAL PRODUCTS COMPRISING BETA-HYDROXY-BETAMETHYLBUTYRATE
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyratecontaining
nutritional products that are oxidatively stable in the presence of transition
metals such as iron and copper.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] Nutritional products, comprising a targeted selection of nutrition
ingredients generally including protein, lipids, vitamins and minerals are well known and
widely available, some of which may provide a sole source of nutrition while others may
provide a supplement source. These nutritional products include powders that can be
reconstituted with water or other aqueous liquid, as well as ready to drink nutritional
liquids such as milk or protein based emulsions or non-emulsified liquids. These
nutritional products are often used to improve or maintain muscle health in athletes as well
as individuals at risk of affliction with a disease or condition associated with the wasting of
skeletal muscles.
[0003] A common problem in many protein-containing nutritional products is the
metal-catalyzed oxidation of lipids (including DHA and ARA) and vitamins, as well as
other oxidation-prone nutritional product components. Oxidation of these components may
lead to measurable losses of the nutrients, including, for example, lipids, vitamin A,
vitamin D, and folic acid, as well as increases in lipid oxidation off notes, generally
occurring over the course of the product's shelf life. Iron and copper are generally
regarded as the highly active species in this oxidative catalysis.
[0004] These nutrient oxidation problems have previously been addressed by
fortifying nutritional products with conventional antioxidants such as vitamin E and
ascorbyl palmitate; fortifying nutritional products with hydrolyzed proteins, which may
exert antioxidant activity; using nitrogen blanketing to decrease headspace oxygen in the
containers holding the nutritional products; and substituting partially soluble iron salts in
the nutritional products to minimize iron-driven oxidation. To date, however, these
solutions have not been able to completely inhibit the nutrient oxidation problems
associated with many nutritional products.
[0005] It would therefore be desirable to formulate nutritional products with
additional nutrients including vitamins and lipids such that the nutrients are oxidatively
stable over time, even in the presence of iron and copper. Additionally, it would be
beneficial if the nutritional products had improved overall color and/or taste.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0006] One embodiment is directed to a nutritional powder comprising from
about 0.1% to about 10% by weight beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, from about 0.001%
to about 5% by weight of iron, and at least one nutrient selected from fat, protein, or
carbohydrate.
[0007] Another embodiment is directed to a packaged composition comprising a
metal container and a nutritional product packaged therein. The nutritional product
comprises from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and
at least one nutrient selected from fat, protein, or carbohydrate.
[0008] Another embodiment is directed to a nutritional powder comprising from
about 0.1% to about 10% by weight beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, from about 0.001%
to about 5% by weight of iron, and fat.
[0009] It has been found that the metal-catalyzed oxidation of nutrients such as
lipids and vitamins in nutritional products can result in the products providing a reduced
amount of nutrients to the end user. The products may also have a reduced shelf life.
Additionally, in some cases the products may have unpleasing off notes and color.
[0010] It has been discovered that beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB)
provides desirable antioxidant properties in nutritional products by forming an insoluble
salt with undesirable soluble transition metal components, such as iron and copper, that are
typically included in the nutritional product as nutrients, or that enter the product through
contact with metal packaging. These insoluble salts have reduced oxidative reactivity as
compared to their free soluble forms. As such, the inclusion of HMB in nutritional
products may provide oxidative protection to the products by inhibiting and/or reducing the
capacity of the oxidative components to catalyze the oxidation of oxidatively sensitive
components, such as lipids and vitamins. Additionally, by inhibiting oxidation of nutrients,
the inclusion of HMB in the nutritional products may prolong the shelf life, as well as
improve flavor and color in the products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[001 1] Figures 1A and IB depict the capacities of HMB and citric acid to bind to
reactive iron over the concentration range of 10 mEq/L to 40 mEq/L as analyzed in
Example 2.
[0012] Figures 2A and 2B depict the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in
Example 3.
[0013] Figure 3 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 4
[0014] Figure 4 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 4
[0015] Figure 5 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 4
[0016] Figure 6 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 5
[0017] Figure 7 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 5
[0018] Figure 8 depicts the buffering capacity of HMB as analyzed in Example 5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0019] The packaged compositions and nutritional powders of the present
disclosure comprise HMB to reduce or eliminate the oxidative activity of components such
as iron, copper, zinc, and manganese in the compositions and powders. The essential
features of the packaged compositions and nutritional powders and methods of making the
packaged compositions and nutritional powders, as well as some of the many optional
variations and additions, are described in detail hereafter.
[0020] The term "calcium HMB" as used herein, unless otherwise specified,
refers to the calcium salt of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (also referred to as betadydroxy1-
3-methyl butyric acid, beta-hydroxy isovaleric acid, or HMB), which is most
typically in a monohydrate form. All weights, percentages, and concentrations as used
herein to characterize calcium HMB are based on the weight of calcium HMB
monohydrate, unless otherwise specified.
[0021] The term "nutritional powder" as used herein, unless otherwise specified,
refers to nutritional powders that are generally flowable particulates and that are
reconstitutable with an aqueous liquid, and which are suitable for oral administration to a
human.
[0022] The terms "fat" and "oil" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, are
used interchangeably to refer to lipid materials derived or processed from plants or animals.
These terms also include synthetic lipid materials so long as such synthetic materials are
suitable for oral administration to humans.
[0023] The term "shelf stable" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to
a nutritional product that remains commercially stable after being packaged and then stored
at 18-24°C for at least 3 months, including from about 6 months to about 24 months, and
also including from about 12 months to about 18 months.
[0024] The terms "nutritional product" as used herein, unless otherwise specified,
refer to nutritional liquids and nutritional powders, the latter of which may be reconstituted
to form a nutritional liquid, and are suitable for oral consumption by a human.
[0025] The term "nutritional liquid" as used herein, unless otherwise specified,
refers to nutritional products in ready-to-drink liquid form and to nutritional liquids made
by reconstituting the nutritional powders described herein prior to use.
[0026] The term "metal container" as used herein, unless otherwise specified,
refers to a package within which the nutritional product is exposed to at least one metal
surface, including packages where a minority of the interior surface area of the package is
metal. The "metal container" includes at least one metal component selected from iron,
copper, zinc and manganese.
[0027] All percentages, parts and ratios as used herein, are by weight of the total
product, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients
are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include solvents or by-products that may
be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified.
[0028] All references to singular characteristics or limitations of the present
disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristic or limitation, and vice versa,
unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the
reference is made.
[0029] All combinations of method or process steps as used herein can be
performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the
context in which the referenced combination is made.
[0030] The various embodiments of the packaged compositions and nutritional
powders of the present disclosure may also be substantially free of any optional or selected
essential ingredient or feature described herein, provided that the remaining composition or
powder still contains all of the required ingredients or features as described herein. In this
context, and unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially free" means that the
selected composition or powder contains less than a functional amount of the optional
ingredient, typically less than about 1%, including less than about 0.5%, including less than
about 0.1%, and also including zero percent, by weight of such optional or selected
essential ingredient.
[003 1] The packaged compositions and powders may comprise, consist of, or
consist essentially of the essential elements of the products as described herein, as well as
any additional or optional element described herein or otherwise useful in nutritional
product applications.
Product Form
[0032] The nutritional products include nutritional liquids and nutritional solid
forms, which include emulsified liquids, powders, including dry-mixed and/or spraydried
powders that can be diluted with water or other aqueous liquids to form a nutritional liquid
prior to use, nutritional bars and the like.
[0033] The nutritional products may be formulated with sufficient kinds and
amounts of nutrients to provide a sole, primary, or supplemental source of nutrition, or to
provide a specialized nutritional product for use in individuals afflicted with specific
diseases or conditions or with a targeted nutritional benefit.
[0034] Additionally, in another embodiment, the product form includes a
packaged composition that comprises a metal container and a nutritional product disposed
therein. The nutritional product disposed within the metal container may either be a
nutritional liquid or a nutritional powder. Typically, the metal containers include at least
one metal interior surface. In some embodiments, the metal container includes at least 10%
metal on an interior surface, including from about 10% to about 90%, also including from
about 15% to about 70%>, and also including from about 20%> to about 50%>, and also
including from about 25% to about 35%. The inclusion of HMB into the nutritional
product disposed within the metal container is particularly beneficial as transition metals,
including iron and copper, can migrate from the metal container into the nutritional product
over time.
Nutritional Solids
[0035] The solid forms of the nutritional products comprise HMB and at least one
of fat, protein, and carbohydrate. These products are typically in the form of nutritional
powders that are flowable or substantially flowable particulate compositions, or at least
particulate compositions that can easily be scooped and measured with a spoon or similar
other device, wherein the powder can easily be reconstituted by the intended user with a
suitable aqueous liquid, typically water, to form a nutritional formulation for immediate
oral or enteral use. In this context, "immediate" use generally means within about 48
hours, typically within about 24 hours, most typically right after or within 20 minutes of
reconstitution.
[0036] In one embodiment, the nutritional powders include HMB, at least a
portion of which is HMB that has been spray dried with one or more of the other
components of the nutritional powder. In some embodiments, 100% of the HMB present in
the nutritional powders is HMB that has been spray dried with one or more of the other
components of the nutritional powder. Alternatively, the nutritional powder may contain
drymixed or dryblended HMB in an amount up to 100% of the total concentration of HMB.
[0037] In another embodiment, the nutritional solid is a nutritional bar or
nutritional energy bar that includes HMB and at least one oxidatively active material.
Nutritional Liquids
[0038] The nutritional liquids, including nutritional emulsions, comprise HMB
and may be aqueous emulsions further comprising protein, fat and carbohydrate. These
liquids are flowable or drinkable liquids at from about 1 to about 25°C and are typically in
the form of oil-in-water, water-in-oil, or complex aqueous emulsions, although such
emulsions are most typically in the form of oil-in-water emulsions having a continuous
aqueous phase and a discontinuous oil phase.
[0039] The nutritional liquids may be and typically are shelf stable. The
nutritional liquids typically contain up to about 95% by weight of water, including from
about 50% to about 95%, also including from about 60%> to about 90%>, and also including
from about 70% to about 85%, of water by weight of the nutritional liquid.
[0040] These nutritional liquids may have a variety of product densities, but most
typically have a density greater than about 1.01 g/ml, including from about 1.06 g/ml to
about 1.12 g/ml, and also including from about 1.085 g/ml to about 1.10 g/ml.
[0041] The nutritional liquids may have a caloric density tailored to the
nutritional needs of the ultimate user, although in most instances the liquids comprise from
about 100 to about 500 kcal/240 ml, including from about 150 to about 350 kcal/240 ml,
and also including from about 200 to about 320 kcal/240 ml.
[0042] The nutritional liquid may have a pH ranging from about 2.5 to about 8,
but are most advantageously in a range of from about 4.5 to about 7.5, including from
about 5.5 to about 7.3, and including from about 6.2 to about 7.2.
Beta-Hvdroxy-Beta-Methylbutyrate (HMB)
[0043] The nutritional products comprise HMB, which means that the products
are either formulated with the addition of HMB, most typically as a calcium monohydrate,
or are otherwise prepared so as to contain HMB in the finished product. Any source of
HMB is suitable for use herein provided that the finished product contains HMB, although
such a source is preferably calcium HMB and is most typically added as such to the
nutritional products during formulation.
[0044] Although calcium HMB monohydrate is the preferred source of HMB for
use herein, other suitable sources may include HMB as the free acid, a salt, an anhydrous
salt, an ester, a lactone, or other product forms that otherwise provide a bioavailable form
of HMB from the nutritional product. Non- limiting examples of suitable salts of HMB for
use herein include HMB salts, hydrated or anhydrous, of sodium, potassium, magnesium,
calcium, or other non-toxic salt form. Calcium HMB monohydrate is preferred and is
commercially available from Technical Sourcing International (TSI) of Salt Lake City,
Utah and from Lonza Group Ltd. (Basel, Switzerland).
[0045] The concentration of HMB in the nutritional liquids may range up to about
10%, including from about 0.01% to about 10%>, and also including from about 0.1% to
about 5 .0%, and also including from about 0.3%> to about 2%, and also including from
about 0 .4% to about 1.5%, and also including from about 0.3%> to about 0.6%> by weight of
the nutritional liquid. In one specific embodiment, the HMB is present in the nutritional
liquid in an amount of about 0.67%, by weight of the nutritional liquid.
[0046] The total concentration of calcium HMB in the nutritional powders and
bars may range up to about 10%>, including from about 0.1% to about 8%, and also
including from about 0.2% to about 5.0%, and also including from about 0.3% to about
3% , and also including from about 0.3% to about 1.5%, and also including from about
0.3% to about 0.6% by weight of the nutritional powder. All or a portion of the HMB in
the nutritional powder may be spray dried HMB, as discussed herein.
[0047] The total concentration of HMB in the nutritional product may also be
described in relation to the amount of specific oxidatively reactive species. In one
embodiment, the amount of HMB present in the nutritional product is related to the amount
of metal present (transition metal including iron or copper or manganese or zinc).
Specifically, the weight ratio of HMB to metal is from about 150:1 to about 600:1,
desirably from about 180:1 to about 600:1, and desirably from about 200:1 to about 600:1.
[0048] The nutritional products may provide from about 0.1 to about 10
grams/day of HMB. Accordingly, the nutritional products may provide from about 0.5 to
about 2.5 grams, including from about 1.0 to about 1.7 grams, including about 1.5 grams of
HMB per serving, wherein a serving may be about 240 ml of ready to feed nutritional
liquid or about 240 ml of reconstituted nutritional solid. In one specific embodiment, HMB
is provided at a level of about 1.58 grams per 240 ml. An individual may be administered
one serving per day, two servings per day, three servings per day, or four or more servings
per day to receive the desired amount of HMB from the nutritional product.
Oxidatively Active Component
[0049] The nutritional products of some embodiments of the present disclosure
may include oxidatively active components; that is, components that actively catalyze or
otherwise result in the oxidation of at least one nutrient in the nutritional product. For
example, many nutritional products may include a transition metal component, such as
iron, zinc, manganese, or copper, that may modify the physical, nutritional, chemical,
hedonic or processing characteristics of the products, or serve as pharmaceutical or
additional nutritional components when used in a targeted population. Generally, the
transition metal component is present in the nutritional product in a concentration of from
about 0.00001% to about 5%, including from about 0.0001% to about 1%, including from
about 0.00001% to about 0.1% by weight of the nutritional product.
[0050] In some nutritional products, however, these metal components may cause
unwanted oxidation of sensitive nutrient such as vitamins (including, for example, vitamin
C, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin E, and folic acid), lipids (including, for
example, fish oil, marine oil, DHA and ARA), and proteins.
[005 1] In some embodiments, the nutritional product is packaged in a metal
container, or a container that is partially made of metal, such that the product is in at least
partial contact with the metal. Many metal containers may include metal components such
as iron, copper, zinc, manganese or other transition metals that may transition or migrate
into the nutritional product packaged therein. Over time, the concentration of these metal
components can increase to levels sufficient to catalyze the oxidation reactions that result
in unwanted oxidation of desirable nutrients.
Macronutnents
[0052] The nutritional products may further comprise one or more optional
macronutrients including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and combinations thereof. The
nutritional products are desirably formulated to contain all three macronutrients.
[0053] Macronutrients suitable for use herein include any protein, lipid, or
carbohydrate or source thereof that is known for or otherwise suitable for use in an oral
nutritional liquid, provided that the optional macronutrient is safe and effective for oral
administration and is otherwise compatible with the other ingredients in the nutritional
product.
[0054] The concentration or amount of optional lipid, carbohydrate, and protein in
the nutritional liquid can vary considerably depending upon the particular nutritional
application of the product. These optional macronutrients are most typically formulated
within any of the embodied ranges described in the following tables.
Each numerical value preceded by the term "about"
Each numerical value preceded by the term "about"
Protein
[0055] Any protein or source thereof that is suitable for use in oral nutritional
products and is compatible with the essential elements and features of such products is
suitable.
[0056] The concentration of protein in the nutritional liquid may range from about
1.0% to about 30%, including from about 1% to about 15%, and also including from about
1% to about 10% , and also including from about 1% to about 7%, by weight of the
nutritional liquid.
[0057] For powder and bar embodiments, the concentration of protein may range
from about 1.0% to about 50%, including from about 10% to about 50%, and also
including from about 10% to about 30%, by weight of the nutritional powder or bar.
[0058] Non-limiting examples of suitable protein or sources thereof for use in the
nutritional products include hydrolyzed, partially hydrolyzed or non-hydrolyzed proteins or
protein sources, which may be derived from any known or otherwise suitable source such
as milk (e.g., casein, whey), animal (e.g., meat, fish), cereal (e.g., rice, corn), vegetable
(e.g., soy or pea) or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of such proteins include
milk protein isolates, milk protein concentrates, casein protein isolates, whey protein,
sodium or calcium casemates, whole cow's milk, partially or completely defatted milk, soy
protein isolates, soy protein concentrates, and so forth.
Carbohydrate
[0059] Any carbohydrate that is suitable for use in an oral nutritional product and
is compatible with the essential elements and features of such products is suitable.
[0060] Carbohydrate concentrations in the nutritional liquid, for example, may
range from about 5% to about 40%, including from about 7% to about 30%, including from
about 10% to about 25%, by weight of the nutritional liquid. In one specific embodiment,
the carbohydrate is present in the nutritional liquid in an amount of about 10.2%, by weight
of the nutritional liquid.
[006 1] Carbohydrate concentrations in the nutritional powder or bar may range
from about 10% to about 90%, including from about 20% to about 80%, further including
from about 40% to about 60%, by weight of the nutritional powder or bar. In one specific
embodiment, the carbohydrate is present in the nutritional powder or bar in an amount of
about 5 8%, by weight of the nutritional powder or bar.
[0062] Non-limiting examples of suitable carbohydrates or sources thereof for use
in the nutritional products described herein may include maltodextrin, hydrolyzed or
modified starch or cornstarch, glucose polymers, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, rice-derived
carbohydrates, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar
alcohols (e.g., maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol), artificial sweeteners (e.g., sucralose,
acesulfame potassium, stevia) and combinations thereof. A particularly desirable
carbohydrate is a low dextrose equivalent (DE) maltodextrin.
Fat
[0063] Any fat, most typically as emulsified fat that is suitable for use in an oral
nutritional product and is compatible with the essential elements and features of such
products is suitable.
[0064] The fat may be present in the nutritional liquids in an amount of from
about 1% to about 30%, including from about 1% to about 20%>, including from about 1%
to about 15%, and also including from about 1.5% to about 5%, by weight of the nutritional
liquid. In one specific embodiment, the nutritional liquid includes fat in an amount of
about 1.6% , by weight of the nutritional liquid.
[0065] The fat may be present in the nutritional powder or bar in an amount of
from about 1% to about 30%, including from about 1% to about 20% including from about
1% to about 15% , and also including from about 5.0% to about 10%>, by weight of the
nutritional powder or bar. In one specific embodiment, the nutritional powder or bar
includes fat in an amount of about 7.5%, by weight of the nutritional powder or bar.
[0066] Non-limiting examples of suitable fats or sources thereof for use in the
nutritional products described herein include coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, soy oil,
corn oil, olive oil, safflower oil, high oleic safflower oil, MCT oil (medium chain
triglycerides), sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil, palm and palm kernel oils, palm
olein, canola oil, marine oils, fish oils, cottonseed oils, and combinations thereof.
[0067] In one particularly suitable embodiment, the fat includes a long chain
polyunsaturated fatty acid (LC-PUFA). LC-PUFAs, and particularly omega-3 and omega-
6 PUFAs, may provide nutritional benefits to the user, such as helping to maintain the
performance of the heart and cardiovascular system, reducing the levels of triglycerides
(fats) in the blood, helping to regulate blood pressure and helping to maintain a regular
heart beat. In addition, omega-3 LC-PUFAs have been shown to be helpful in maintaining
healthy bones and joints and a healthy brain. These LC-PUFAs may generally be
oxidatively unstable over extended time when included in nutritional products that also
include metals, such as iron and copper. As noted above, by including HMB in the
nutritional products, the oxidation rate over time of LC-PUFAs may be reduced.
[0068] Exemplary LC-PUFAs for use in the nutritional products include
arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),
linoleic acid, linolenic acid (alpha linolenic acid) and gamma-linolenic acid derived from
oil sources such as plant oils, marine plankton, fungal oils, and fish oils. In one particular
embodiment, the LC-PUFAs are derived from fish oils such as menhaden, salmon,
anchovy, cod, halibut, tuna, or herring oil.
[0069] These LC-PUFAs may be included in an amount of from about 0.01% to
about 5% by weight total fat in the product.
Optional Ingredients
[0070] The nutritional products comprising HMB may further comprise other
optional ingredients that may modify the physical, nutritional, chemical, hedonic or
processing characteristics of the products or serve as pharmaceutical or additional
nutritional components when used in a targeted population. Many such optional
ingredients are known or otherwise suitable for use in other nutritional products and may
also be used in the nutritional products described herein, provided that such optional
ingredients are safe and effective for oral administration and are compatible with the
essential and other ingredients in the selected product form.
[0071] Non-limiting examples of such optional ingredients include preservatives,
antioxidants, emulsifying agents, buffers, fructooligosaccharides, chromium picolinate,
pharmaceutical actives, additional nutrients as described herein, colorants, flavors,
thickening agents and stabilizers, and so forth.
[0072] The products may further comprise vitamins or related nutrients, nonlimiting
examples of which include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine,
riboflavin, pyridoxine, vitamin B12, carotenoids, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin,
vitamin C, choline, inositol, salts, and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.
Particularly preferred embodiments include one or more of the following vitamins: folic
acid, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin E.
[0073] When used in the nutritional products, the amount of vitamins will vary
depending on the specific vitamin used, as well as the other components of the nutritional
products. For example, when the nutritional product includes folic acid, the nutritional
product typically includes from about 0.000001% to about 0.00 1% by weight of folic acid,
including from about 0.000005% to about 0.0002%> by weight, and including from about
0.00001% to about 0.0001% by weight of the nutritional product.
[0074] When vitamin D is included in the nutritional product, vitamin D is
included in the nutritional product in amounts of from about 0.0000001% to about
0.00001%, including from about 0.0000005% to about 0.000002%, and including from
about 0.0000003% to about 0.000003% by weight of the nutritional product.
[0075] The products may further comprise additional minerals, non-limiting
examples of which include phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium,
molybdenum, chromium, selenium, chloride, and combinations thereof.
[0076] The products may also include one or more flavoring or masking agents.
Suitable flavoring or masking agents include natural and artificial sweeteners, sodium
sources such as sodium chloride, and hydrocolloids, such as guar gum, xanthan gum,
carrageenan, gellan gum, gum acacia and combinations thereof.
Methods of Manufacture
[0077] The nutritional liquids may be manufactured by any known or otherwise
suitable method for making nutritional liquids, including emulsions such as milk-based
nutritional emulsions.
[0078] In one suitable manufacturing process, a nutritional liquid is prepared
using at least three separate slurries, including a protein-in-fat (PIF) slurry, a carbohydratemineral
(CHO-MIN) slurry, and a protein-in-water (PIW) slurry. The PIF slurry is formed
by heating and mixing the selected oils (e.g., canola oil, corn oil, fish oil, etc.) and then
adding an emulsifier (e.g., lecithin), fat soluble vitamins, and a portion of the total protein
(e.g., milk protein concentrate, etc.) with continued heat and agitation. The CHO-MIN
slurry is formed by adding with heated agitation to water: minerals (e.g., potassium citrate,
dipotassium phosphate, sodium citrate, etc.), trace and ultra trace minerals (TM/UTM
premix), thickening or suspending agents (e.g. Avicel, gellan, carrageenan), and HMB.
The resulting CHO-MIN slurry is held for 10 minutes with continued heat and agitation
before adding additional minerals (e.g., potassium chloride, magnesium carbonate,
potassium iodide, etc.) and/or carbohydrates (e.g., fructooligosaccharide, sucrose, corn
syrup, etc.). The PIW slurry is then formed by mixing with heat and agitation the
remaining protein (e.g., sodium caseinate, soy protein concentrate, etc.) into water.
[0079] The resulting slurries are then blended together with heated agitation and
the pH adjusted to the desired range, typically from 6.6-7.0, after which the composition is
subjected to high-temperature short-time (HTST) processing during which the composition
is heat treated, emulsified and homogenized, and then allowed to cool. Water soluble
vitamins and ascorbic acid are added, the pH is again adjusted to the desired range if
necessary, flavors are added, and water is added to achieve the desired total solid level.
The composition is then aseptically packaged to form an aseptically packaged nutritional
emulsion, or the composition is added to retort stable containers and then subjected to
retort sterilization to form retort sterilized nutritional emulsions.
[0080] The manufacturing processes for the nutritional emulsions may be carried
out in ways other than those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive and that all changes and equivalents also come
within the description of the present disclosure.
[0081] The nutritional solid, such as a spray dried nutritional powder or drymixed
nutritional powder, may be prepared by any collection of known or otherwise
effective techniques, suitable for making and formulating a nutritional powder.
[0082] For example, when the nutritional powder is a spray-dried nutritional
powder, the spray drying step may likewise include any spray drying technique that is
known for or otherwise suitable for use in the production of nutritional powders. Many
different spray drying methods and techniques are known for use in the nutrition field, all
of which are suitable for use in the manufacture of the spray dried nutritional powders
herein.
[0083] One method of preparing the spray dried nutritional powder comprises
forming and homogenizing an aqueous slurry or liquid comprising HMB, and optionally
protein, carbohydrate, and fat, and then spray drying the slurry or liquid to produce a spray
dried nutritional powder. The method may further comprise the step of spray drying, dry
mixing, or otherwise adding additional nutritional ingredients, including any one or more
of the ingredients described herein, to the spray dried nutritional powder.
[0084] The methods of manufacture are preferably formulated with calcium
HMB, which is most typically formulated as calcium HMB monohydrate, as the HMB
source for use in the methods.
Methods of Use
[0085] The nutritional products may be administered orally as needed to provide
the desired level of nutrition, most typically in the form of one to two servings daily, in one
or two or more divided doses daily, e.g., serving sizes typically ranging from about 100 to
about 300 mL, including from about 150 to about 250 mL, including from about 190 mL to
about 240 mL.
[0086] The use of HMB in the nutritional products provides an oxidatively shelf
stable product having reduced off-color that is useful as a nutrition source. Particularly,
when used in a nutritional product with an oxidatively active component such as iron or
copper for example, HMB reduces the ability of the oxidatively active component to
catalyze oxidation of sensitive nutrients in the product. For example, when HMB is used
with the oxidatively active component iron, HMB forms an insoluble ferric salt with the
soluble iron in the product. The insoluble salt form has significantly lower oxidative
activity as compared to that of the soluble iron. This reaction inhibits the capacity of iron
to catalyze the oxidation of oxidizable components such as lipids, vitamins, and protein
side chains, including methionine.
EXAMPLES
[0087] The following examples illustrate specific embodiments and or features of
the nutritional products of the present disclosure. The examples are given solely for the
purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present disclosure,
as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the
disclosure. All exemplified amounts are weight percentages based upon the total weight of
the product, unless otherwise specified.
[0088] The exemplified products are nutritional products prepared in accordance
with manufacturing methods well known in the nutrition industry for preparing nutritional
emulsions and powders.
Example 1
[0089] In this Example, the capacity of HMB for binding iron is compared to that
of various organic and mineral acids.
[0090] Prior to preparing the sample solutions, HMB free acid is prepared by
cation exchange removal of the calcium from CaHMB (Lonza Group Ltd., Basel,
Switzerland). All sample solutions are prepared by mixing the selected acid in water at a
concentration of 26.15 mM. The pH of the sample solutions is adjusted to 7.0 with sodium
hydroxide (NaOH). Iron is added at 20 mg/L as ferrous fumarate, and the solutions are
stirred for three hours at room temperature (RT).
[0091] The samples are then prepared for "reactive iron" determination by
centrifuging at 10,000 X g for five minutes and then diluting the supernatant (2 volumes to
10 volumes) in 0.10 M sodium acetate at a pH of 4.0. The analysis is conducted using
ferrozine colorimetry. "Reactive iron" is the iron that complexes with the ferrozine reagent
to yield the color measured by spectrometry. The results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
a 2-hydroxy-2-methylbutyric acid
2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid
3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid
[0092] As shown in Table 1, the only acid that increased reactive iron versus the
acid-free control is the strong mineral acid hydrochloric acid. All of the organic acids,
including citric acid, decreased reactive iron, due to iron salt formation at the neutral pH.
Notably, HMB decreased reactive iron also, which is indicative of HMB's ability to bind
iron and reduce its reactivity, and hence its oxidative catalytic ability.
Example 2
[0093] In this Example, the capacity of HMB, over the concentration range of
mEq/L (1.2 g/L) to 40 mEq/L (4.7 g/L), to bind iron is compared to that of equivalent
concentrations of citric acid.
[0094] Sample solutions are prepared and analyzed as described in Example 1.
The results are shown in Table 2, as well as Figures 1A and IB.
Table 2
[0095] As shown in Table 2 and Figures 1A and IB, reactive iron increases as the
concentration of citric acid increases, but decreases as the concentration of HMB increases.
This result appears to be attributable to the formation of soluble iron complexes by citric
acid, in contrast to the formation of insoluble ferric salts by HMB. Accordingly, the
addition of HMB is shown to reduce the amount of reactive iron in solution, such that the
iron would not be available for catalytic oxidation.
Example 3
[0096] In this Example, the buffering capacity of adding HMB to the
commercially available Ensure® Plus nutritional emulsion is analyzed.
[0097] HMB is obtained from Lonza as described in Example 1. The Ensure®
Plus emulsions (available from Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, Ohio) used herein are
described in Table 3.
Table 3
Ensure Plus® with HMB Ensure Plus® Control
Milk Protein Caseinate 70% (by weight protein) 70% (by weight protein)
Soy Protein Concentrate 25% (by weight protein) 25% (by weight protein)
Whey Protein Concentrate 5% (by weight protein) 5% (by weight protein)
Citrate 2160 mg/kg of emulsion 2453 mg/kg of emulsion
Phosphate 2380 mg/ g of emulsion 2400 mg/kg (total phosphate) of
emulsion
Mg(OH) 900 mg/kg emulsion N/A
CaHMB 6000 mg/kg of emulsion N/A
[0098] The buffering capacity of the sample emulsions is compared via HCl
titration and via NaOH titration. Specifically, the buffering capacity is analyzed by
determining the millimoles of HCl to lower the pH of 100 mL of nutritional emulsion from
a pH of 6.0 to a pH of 3.0. Similarly, the millimoles of NaOH required to raise the pH of
the 100 mL nutritional emulsion from a pH of 7.0 to a pH of 11.0 is also determined. The
results are shown in Table 4, as well as in Figures 2A and 2B.
Table 4
[0099] As shown in Table 4 and Figures 2A and 2B, the Ensure Plus emulsion
including HMB is significantly more resistant to pH lowering than the control emulsion. A
resistance to pH change, such as is provided by the addition of HMB to the nutritional
product, may decrease the release of bound minerals (e.g., phosphate-bound calcium),
which, in ionic form (i.e., if released from the phosphate salt), may compromise the
physical stability of the product and increase catalytic oxidation of oxidatively active
components of the reconstituted products, such as iron and copper.
Example 4
[00100] In this Example, the buffering capacity of adding HMB to the
commercially available PediaSure® nutritional powder that has been reconstituted is
analyzed.
[00101] HMB is obtained from Lonza as described in Example 1. Two samples
of reconstituted nutritional powder are prepared. The first sample is a control sample of
reconstituted PediaSure® nutritional powder (available from Abbott Nutrition, Columbus,
Ohio). The second sample is reconstituted PediaSure® nutritional powder that has been
fortified with 5.17 g/kg powder HMB. Prior to the addition of free HMB to the nutritional
powder, the pH of the powder is adjusted to 6.7 with NaOH.
[00102] The buffering capacity of the samples is compared via HCl titration.
Specifically, HCl is slowly added to the samples and the pH is measured one minute after
each HCl addition. The hydrogen ion concentration ([H+]) is calculated from the pH
values, and the results are shown in Table 5, as well as in Figures 3 and 4.
Table 5
HCl added, PediaSure® Powder w/o HMB PediaSure® Powder with HMB
mmoles/kg addition addition
pH [H+], nmoles/kg pH [H+], nmoles/kg
0 6.66 2 18 6.71 194
0.40 6.59 256 6.65 228
0.80 6.53 294 6.60 251
1.20 6.46 346 6.54 288
1.60 6.40 397 6.48 330
2.00 6.34 456 6.43 371
2.40 6.28 523 6.38 416
2.80 6.23 587 6.32 477
3.20 6.17 674 6.27 536
3.60 6.1 1 774 6.23 587
4.00 6.06 869 6.1 8 659
Change -0.60 +651 -0.53 +465
[00103] As shown in Table 5 and Figures 3 and 4, there is a measurable buffering
effect associated with the HMB addition to PediaSure® powder; that is, the pH drop is not
as great in the sample including HMB and the corresponding [H+] increase is not as great.
[00104] In a second experiment, two additional samples of reconstituted
PediaSure® powder are prepared. The first sample is a control sample of reconstituted
PediaSure® nutritional powder and the second sample is the powder fortified with HMB as
described above. In this second experiment, 1.32 mg of hydrogen peroxide (H202) per kg
of reconstituted powder is added and the pH is measured after one hour at room
temperature (RT) Again, the [H+] concentrations are calculated from the pH values. The
results are shown in Table 6 and in Figure 5.
Table 6
[00105] As shown in Table 6 and Figure 5, the addition of HMB to PediaSure®
powder exerts a measureable resistance to the pH lowering that generally accompanies
peroxide-initiated oxidation in reconstituted PediaSure® powder and other nutritional
products.
[00106] Additionally, as noted above, the resistance to pH lowering decreases the
release of bound minerals (e.g., phosphate -bound calcium), which, in ionic form (i.e., if
released from the phosphate salt), could compromise physical stability of the powder and
increase catalytic oxidation of metal components of the reconstituted powders such as iron
and copper. Additionally, this resistance to pH lowering could inhibit protein precipitation
from the reconstituted nutritional powder and inhibit vitamin C destabilization, further
leading to product instability.
Example 5
[00107] In this Example, the buffering capacity of adding HMB to the
commercially available Ensure® nutritional emulsion in dialyzates is analyzed.
[00108] HMB is obtained as described in Example 1. The Ensure® emulsions
(available from Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, Ohio) are fortified with either citrate and/or
HMB. The dialyzates are prepared by: cutting a 30-cm length of 6000-8000 MWCO
dialysis tubing (available as #D- 16 14-4 from Baxter) and rinsing the tubing thoroughly
with Milli-Q Plus water. One end of the tubing is tied and 50 mL of Ensure® with HMB is
added. The opposing end of the tubing is then tied and the tubing is placed in a 1-L bottle
containing 950 mL of Milli-Q Plus water. The tubing is stirred continuously for
approximately 15 hours at room temperature (RT).
[00109] The liquid outside of the tubing (i.e., dialyzate) is then analyzed for HMB
and citrate presence using organic acid HPLC. Additionally, the buffering capacity is
determined by measuring pH versus HC1 titration. The results are shown in Table 7, as
well as in Figures 6-8.
Table 7
*39-lB dialyzate to which citrate is added to a concentration of 264 mg/L
**39-lBX to which HMB is added to a concentration of 263 mg/L
[001 10] As shown in Table 7 and Figures 6-8, the presence of HMB in the 39-2B
dialyzate significantly increases its buffering capacity in comparison to the 39-1B
dialyzate. The presence of HMB in the dialyzate demonstrates that the HMB is soluble (as
opposed to simply being suspended, or being bound in micelles) and thereby available for
reaction with soluble iron to form the insoluble ferric HMB thus reducing the concentration
of soluble iron.
[001 11] The concentration of calcium is also analyzed in the dialyzate. As shown
in Table 8, the 39-2B dialyzate calcium concentration is greater than 2 times that of the 39-
1B dialyzate calcium concentration, suggesting that calcium availability may be
significantly greater in the emulsion with HMB addition (39-2B) as compared to the
control (39- IB).
Table 8
Examples 6-10
[001 12] Examples 6-10 illustrate nutritional powders of the present disclosure
including calcium HMB, the ingredients of which are listed in the table below. These
products are prepared by spray drying methods in separate batches, are reconstituted with
water prior to use to the desired target ingredient concentrations. All ingredient amounts
are listed as kg per 1000 kg batch of product, unless otherwise specified.
Ingredient Ex. 6 Ex. 7 Ex. 8 Ex. 9 Ex. 10
Maltodextrin (D.E. 19-24) 436.7 436.7 436.7 436.7 436.7
Sucrose 145.5 145.5 145.5 145.5 145.5
Calcium Caseinate 129.1 129.1 129.1 129.1 129.1
Isolated Soy Protein 57.7 57.7 57.7 61.7 57.7
FOS Powder 33.6 33.6 33.6 33.6 32.6
HO sunflower oil 59.9 55.5 61.24 57.2 62.58
Calcium HMB.H 20 31.6 34.6 28.6 27.6 32.6
Canola Oil 55.1 53.7 56.4 52.42 57.78
Soy Oil 26.7 26.0 27.37 25.36 28.04
Potassium Citrate 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3
Sodium Citrate 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8 5.8
Potassium Chloride 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.2
Magnesium Chloride 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7
Potassium hydroxide 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1
Sodium phosphate dibasic dihydrate 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0
Sodium chloride 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5
Choline Chloride 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8
Vanilla Flavor 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8
Sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6
Potassium phosphate dibasic trihydrate 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1
Flavor 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Vitamin premix 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Ascorbyl palmitate 0.243 0.243 0.243 0.243 0.243
Ascorbic acid 0.240 0.240 0.240 0.240 0.240
Tocopherol-2 antioxidant 0.1 16 0.1 16 0.1 16 0.1 16 0.1 16
Ferrous sulfate 0.010 0.090 0.030 0.020 0.070
Vitamin premix 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.065 0.065
Zinc sulfate monohydrate 0.057 0.057 0.057 0.057 0.057
Manganese sulfate 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.045 0.045
Mineral mix copper sulfate 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035 0.035
Beta carotene 30% 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005
Chromium chloride 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Sodium molybdate 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012 0.0012
Potassium iodide 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.001
Sodium selenite 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004 0.0004
Citric acid AN AN AN AN AN
Potassium hydroxide AN AN AN AN AN
Magnesium sulfate dry AN AN AN AN AN
Ultra micronized tricalcium phosphate AN AN AN AN AN
Ascorbic acid AN AN AN AN AN
AN = As Needed
Examples 11-15
[001 13] Examples 11-15 illustrate nutritional emulsion embodiments of the
present disclosure, the ingredients of which are listed in the table below. All amounts are
listed as kilogram per 1000 kilogram batch of product, unless otherwise specified.
Ingredient Ex. 11 Ex. 12 Ex. 13 Ex. 14 Ex. 15
Water Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S.
Sucrose 89.3 89.3 89.3 89.3 89.3
Maltodextrin 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7 29.7
Sodium Caseinate 25.9 25.9 25.9 25.9 25.9
Milk Protein Caseinate 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.1
Soy Protein Isolate 11.9 11.9 9.9 12.9 13.9
Potassium Citrate 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9
Soy Oil 11.1 9.9 11.4 10.7 11.6
Calcium HMB.H 20 6.7 7.7 8.7 5.7 4.7
Canola Oil 10.2 10.0 10.5 9.8 10.7
Corn Oil 9.3 9.1 9.6 8.9 9.8
Whey Protein Concentrate 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5
Magnesium Phosphate Dibasic 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1
Flavoring Agent 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Stabilizer 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Soy Lecithin 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Sodium Phosphate Dibasic 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Dihydrate
Potassium Phosphate Dibasic 0.985 0.985 0.985 0.985 0.985
Potassium Chloride 0.729 0.729 0.729 0.729 0.729
Choline Chloride 0.480 0.480 0.480 0.480 0.480
Ascorbic Acid 0.469 0.469 0.469 0.469 0.469
Calcium Carbonate 0.451 0.451 0.451 0.451 0.451
Caramel Flavor 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.450
N&A Dairy Cream 32122 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.450 0.450
UTM/TM Premix 0.367 0.367 0.367 0.367 0.367
45% Potassium Hydroxide 0.323 0.323 0.323 0.323 0.323
Carrageenan 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200
Water Soluble Vitamin Premix 0.185 0.185 0.185 0.185 0.185
Vitamin DEK Premix 0.067 0.067 0.067 0.067 0.067
Sodium Chloride 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060 0.060
Gellan Gum 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050
Vitamin A Palmitate in corn oil 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082 0.0082
Corn oil carrier Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S. Q.S.
Vitamin D3 in corn oil 19 mg 19 mg 19 mg 19 mg 19 mg
Potassium Iodide 194 mg 194mg 194 mg 194 mg 194 mg
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A nutritional powder comprising from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight
beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate, from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight of iron, and
at least one nutrient selected from fat, protein, or carbohydrate.
2. The nutritional powder of claim 1 further comprising at least one of
vitamins and minerals.
3. The nutritional powder of claim 1 comprising a fat, wherein the fat
comprises from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a long chain polyunsaturated fatty
acid.
4. The nutritional powder of claim 2 wherein the nutritional powder comprises
at least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin
C, vitamin D, vitamin E and combinations thereof.
5. The nutritional powder of claim 4 wherein the nutritional powder comprises
from about 0.0000001% to about 0.00001% by weight of vitamin D.
6. The nutritional powder of claim 4 wherein the nutritional powder comprises
from about 0.000001% to about 0.001% by weight of folic acid.
7. The nutritional powder of claim 1 wherein the nutritional powder comprises
casein.
8. The nutritional powder of claim 1 comprising a weight ratio of betahydroxy-
beta-methylbutyrate: iron of from about 150:1 to about 600:1.
9. A packaged composition comprising a metal container and a nutritional
product packaged therein, the nutritional product comprising from about 0.1% to about
10% by weight beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate and at least one nutrient selected from
fat, protein, or carbohydrate.
10. The packaged composition of claim 9 wherein the metal container
comprises at least 10% metal on an interior surface.
11. The packaged composition of claim 9 wherein the nutritional product further
comprises at least one of vitamins and minerals.
12. The packaged composition of claim 9 wherein the nutritional product
comprises a fat, wherein the fat comprises from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of a
long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid derived from fish oil.
13. The packaged composition of claim 11 wherein the nutritional product
comprises at least one vitamin selected from the group consisting of folic acid, vitamin
B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and combinations thereof.
14. The packaged composition of claim 13 wherein the nutritional product
comprises from about 0.0000003% to about 0.000003% by weight of vitamin D.
15. The packaged composition of claim 13 wherein the nutritional product
comprises from about 0.0000 1% to about 0.000 1% by weight of folic acid.