DESC:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to stabilized precursor formulations comprising high water content matrices of predetermined shape and size. Particularly, it relates to precursor formulations which retain the shape and structural integrity of the high water content matrices.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Structural stability and shape retentivity of raw materials once they have been formulated into final products is of rampant importance. This is essentially because the raw materials when consumed are able to provide desired freshness, mouth feel, and consumer delight expected of them. While most raw materials tend to retain shape and hence are capable of providing the activity desired of them, certain raw materials such as raw materials and ingredients that have a highwater content, tend to lose their structure integrity and shape very quickly if untreated. Therefore, it is a requirement that structural integrity and shape of raw materials as added at the stage of processing be retained in the final formulation. In another example, formulations wherein shape of certain active ingredients containing matrices is retained provides the consumer with a perception of a high load of active which they relate to superior product efficacy. However, formulations are essentially complex systems wherein various ingredients interact with each other physically and sometimes chemically. In such conditions, retention of shape and physical character of highwater content raw material becomes a challenge for formulators. While there are some solutions available in the art whereby water loss from high moisture / water containing raw materials can be prevented, for example by increasing the osmotic level of the base formulation by addition of salt or sugars, followed by suspending the high moisture containing raw materials therein, however not all these solutions are satisfactory. Hence, there remains an unmet need in the art for preservation of structure of raw materials in final formulations. It is known that some of the raw materials, for example, when consumed in their freshly cut format, provide a certain level of consumer satisfaction and therefore it is a requirement that the physical form of raw materials be retained. One of the physical characters of fresh cut raw materials is their shape. In a specific example where, raw material is one which contains high percentage of water, loss of water happens inadvertently when the raw material comes in contact with external environment. This water loss which happens in the form of dripping leads to loss in structure of the raw material. It is also essential to arrest this water loss in order to maintain the water content of these matrices thereby providing hydration to the end consumer e.g. in the form of a beverage containing a high moisture containing fruit piece chunk that will help to provide hydration to the consumer.

Some of the raw materials, for example, when applied to a substrate such as face or hair in their freshly prepared format, provide an instant refreshing feel which the consumer connotes with more efficacy and therefore it is a requirement that the physical form of raw materials be retained for a longer duration of time and even more desirable if the structure of high moisture containing freshly prepared matrices is retained even in the final formulation.

Use of plant-based matrices for various end applications in beverages, cosmetics, nutraceuticals as well as medicines and other relevant areas is widely known since several years. Majority of the finished formulations and methods reported in these areas deal with specific end applications wherein plant-based matrices are employed in conjunction with various additives and excipients to improve sensorials like mouth-feel or emolliency or hydration or moisture retention properties of the matrices.

Finished goods formulations that comprise matrices, particularly plant based matrices comprising commonly known excipients such as sugar syrups, thickening and suspending agents, high brix containing materials with varying levels of preservatives have been disclosed in Patent publications IN201621030814, IN201721000470, IN201721000471 (comprise high brix materials and high amount of preservatives) , CN20181701018 (comprises high amount of granulated sugar), CN201410402232 (comprises honey, material with high brix content); Further, KR20050046775, CN20081244649. CN106360184A, CN101574165B also disclose various finished formulations with high sugar content and high brix content. WO2017002072A1 discloses a process and an apparatus for packaging a fluid food product containing solid pieces, which enable maintaining as far as possible the integrity of the product contained. However, it is silent with regard to a precursor formulation capable of providing pre-treated matrices that would retain stability in finished formulations.

One of the shortcomings of the abovementioned finished formulations, approaches and methods provided in the prior art is that they invariably teach use of high amounts sugar or other materials with very high amount of brix content. Further, in many instances despite the use of sugars or materials with high brix content, the suspended matrices in these formulations are still prone to lose their structural integrity in a short span of time. Furthermore, excessive use of sugars or materials with high brix content restrict the scope of the use of the plant-based matrices in a whole range of end applications wherein it is desirable to avoid these materials.

The present disclosure in one aspect is directed to solve the above problems by providing a stable precursor formulation of matrices that offers matrices capable of retaining high structural integrity as well as high moisture retention amidst non-sugar-based carrier systems or carrier systems with extremely low brix content in a wider variety of finished formulations.

The matrices derived from the precursor formulations as envisaged in the present disclosure maintain structural integrity in a variety of finished formulations that are devoid of sugars or comprise materials with extremely low brix content. This however, by default does not limit the use of the matrices precursor formulation to only those finished formulations with low sugar or no sugar/brix content. The matrices from the precursor formulations have also been found to be relatively more stable in terms of structural integrity and microbial load in finished formulations with high sugar/brix content.

Apart from maintaining structural integrity, the matrices derived from the stable precursor formulation also offer superior sensorials in terms of freshness, mouthfeel effect, aesthetics complemented with improved microbial as well as physical stability. The pre-treated matrices derived from stable precursor formulations envisaged in the disclosure can therefore potentially unlock new areas of end applications for these matrices. None of the available literature in the art reports a precursor formulation of the raw material matrix in solid form which shows high stability for a longer period and can be also incorporated into a wide variety of finished formulations.

Be it cosmetics, medicinal or food products, organic appeal coupled with aesthetic simplicity is increasingly accepted. When it comes to products that comprise natural or plant-based materials invariably, arresting the loss of structure and shape owing to water loss become imperative to ensure requisite shelf-life retentivity and hydration in finished formulation. Further, movement of such products during supply chain renders them vulnerable to lose their freshness, water content, aesthetic appeal as well as structural integrity of raw material on account of various factors. Some of the peculiar undesirable effects include discoloration, undue desiccation, etc.

There is a long felt need to develop products with longer shelf life albeit with/without/minimal amount of preservatives and also devoid of sugar syrup or optionally with sugar syrup. Despite various advances in storage facilities and transport means, there still remains a huge scope to improve structural stability of final products containing such highwater containing products, structurally, aesthetically as well as microbially. The present inventors have surprisingly developed a shelf stable precursor formulation comprising shape retained solid matrices which can be utilized in various applications and which ameliorates the aforesaid shortcomings of the prior art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shelf stable precursor formulation of solid matrices having high water content.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf stable precursor formulation, wherein the shape and structural integrity of the solid matrices is maintained for a longer duration of time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shelf stable precursor formulation, wherein the freshness, aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of the solid matrices is maintained and is also microbial stable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a shelf stable precursor formulation of solid matrices having high water content.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a finished formulation comprising the shelf stable precursor formulation of solid matrices having high water content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure-1 shows drip loss percentage in 10 days of this comparative sample (untreated aloe vera gel matrices).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, components or groups thereof.

The term “precursor” as used herein means a formulation containing raw material solid matrices treated with the additives for maintaining the sustainability, and retaining shape and size when incorporated into a finished formulation.

The present invention relates to a shelf stable precursor formulation of solid matrices having high water content. The stabilized precursor formulations have a longer shelf life in the presence of substantially minimal amount/without preservatives.

Water retention ability of solid matrices of raw material has been maintained in a sustained manner by treatment of these matrices with at least one matrix boosting agent in conjunction with at least one film forming agent at specific concentrations under controlled conditions. The matrices as envisaged not only offer improved shelf life but also obviate the need for add-on preservatives.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the solid matrix is in a form selected from chunks, block, cube, piece, fillet and the like or mixtures thereof of variable shapes and sizes. In an embodiment, the present invention is directed to preparing a precursor formulation of plant-derived matrices. In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to preparing a precursor formulation of a synthetically derived matrix.

In one of the embodiments, the matrices are precursor of gel-based matrices. In another embodiment, the matrices are precursors of fiber-based matrices.

In an embodiment, the plant derived matrices are fruit chunks, vegetable chunks, plant chunks or combinations thereof.

In one of the embodiments, the matrices are precursors of aloe vera gel chunks. In another embodiment, the plant derived matrices are precursor watermelon chunks or litchi chunks or combinations thereof.

Currently, commercially available Aloe vera is in juice, crush or gel forms which are widely used in Food & Cosmetic industries but same are with addition of preservatives. Also, the preparations are in the form of sugar syrup which affects the osmolarity of the product and is also not advisable for people with diabetes. Aloe leaves contain 99% of fluid matter in it, so, as soon as they are peeled/filleted, fluids ooze out, drip losses start and shrinkages in aloe leaf gel occurs. The present inventors have developed a formulation to arrest same and also retain shape for a commercially produced aloe gel chunk through its shelf life. This could be done with modification in general process and addition of stabilisers to alter internal matrix of gel.

Typically, the matrices with high water content are characterized by average size ranging from (2-8) mm and the water content therein is at least 90 wt.%, preferably 95wt.% and most preferably above 98wt%. In an embodiment, the solid matrix present in the precursor formulation is present in an amount ranging from 50 to 80 wt.%. In an embodiment, the range of water content in the aloe vera gel chunks ranges from 90 to 99 wt.%.

The stabilised precursor formulation comprises at least one matrix-boosting agent selected from the group that includes but is not limited to pectin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, gellan, acacia gum, gum arabic, guar gum and the like. Typically, the amount of matrix boosting agent varies in the range from 0.02 to 2.7 wt.%.

The stabilized precursor formulation comprises at least one coating agent that is selected from the group that includes but is not limited to sodium alginate, potassium alginate and the like. Typically, the amount of coating agent varies in the range from 0.05 wt.% to 0.4 wt.%.

Typically, the matrices are suspended in a carrier medium. The carrier medium typically includes at least one solvent selected from but not limited to water, fruit juices such as aloe juice, litchi juice, monosaccharides, disaccharide, oligosaccharide solution, mixture thereof and the like. The average brix content of precursor typically ranges between 0.5ºBrix to 7º Brix. In some of the embodiments, natural sugars from the plant material may contribute to 90 to 100% of the total brix content of the carrier medium.

Further, the carrier medium comprises a wide variety of excipients and additives that include but are not limited to an osmotic agent, pH regulator, colorant, antioxidant and the like or combinations thereof. Typically, the osmotic agent is at least one selected from the group that includes but is not limited to, electrolytes and the like.

In some of the embodiments, citric acid is used as a pH regulating agent. Typically, the amount of pH regulating agents varies in the range from 0.1 to about 2.5 wt.% in the stabilized formulation. A pH regulating agent may be at least one selected from the group consisting of but not limited to organic acids like citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid and Ascorbic Acid.

In some of the embodiments, the stabilised aqueous precursor formulation as provided in this disclosure also comprises at least one benefit agent or at least one active agent with desired nutritional, cosmetic or therapeutic property.

The stabilised aqueous precursor formulation is shelf stable for a period ranging from 8-12 months at temperatures ranging from 5-10ºC at relative humidity ±65 in the presence of substantially minimal amounts of preservatives. In some of the embodiments, the stabilized aqueous formulations remain shelf-stable.

Advantages of the present invention are:
• Shelf stability of at least 8 months
• Structural integrity throughout the shelf life
• Water retention within the matrix in excess of 99%
• Precursor Formulation containing shape retained matrices of present invention are applicable in various industries such as
? Foods & Beverages
? Cosmetics/ Skin care
? Nutraceutical/ Therapeutic
? Carrier/ Delivery System products
? Medicinal applications/ Wound Healing & Bandage
• The stabilized solid matrices in the present invention are precursor materials that may be added in a wide variety of finished formulations.

EXAMPLES:
The following examples are meant to illustrate the present invention. The examples are presented to exemplify the invention and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE -1:
Working Examples:
EMBODIMENT 1:
Examples 1 and 2 have been formulated according to present invention as shown in below Table-1a comprising aloe chunks alongwith various combinations of matrix boosting agent and coating agents at specified concentrations and suspended in carrier medium of aloe juice. The aloe chunks have been commercially produced by a method comprising steps of:

Aloe Vera>Filleting>Washing>Dicing>Heating>Carrier medium addition> Coating>Heating> Packaging.

Ex.
No. Carrier medium (20%) Matrix (Aloe chunks) Observations and Remarks
Combinations wt% Dosage Water (%) Citric Acid (%) Aloe Juice (°Brix) Sugar syrup
(°Brix)
1 Xanthan Gum
1.3
NA 0.2 – 1 0.5 NA 80% Microbiologically Stable Matrices till 8 months while retention of shape and drip loss of not more than 10%
Potassium Alginate 0.1
2 Xanthan Gum 2.5 NA 0.2 – 1 0.5 NA 80%
Sodium Alginate 0.3
Table-1a

It is observed that typically, the volume of the matrix does not shrink more than 10%, preferably more than 5%, most preferably more than 1% of its original volume during the shelf-life.

EMBODIMENT 2 – Sugar syrup incorporation
Examples 3 and 4 have been formulated according to present invention as shown in below Table-1b comprising aloe chunks alongwith various combinations of matrix boosting agent and coating agents at specified concentrations and suspended in carrier medium of sugar syrup to achieve required Brix level of precursor.

The aloe chunks have been commercially produced by a method comprising steps of:
Aloe Vera > Filleting > Washing > Dicing > Heating > Carrier medium addition > Coating > Heating > Packaging

Ex.
No. Carrier medium (20%) Matrix (Aloe chunks) Observations and Remarks
Combinations wt% Dosage Water (%) Citric Acid (%) Aloe Juice (°Brix) Sugar syrup
(°Brix)
3 Xanthan Gum
1.3
NA 0.2 – 1 NA 30 80% Microbiologically Stable Matrices till 8 months while retention of shape and drip loss of not more than 10%
Potassium Alginate 0.1
4 Xanthan Gum 2.5 NA 0.2 – 1 NA
30 80%
Sodium Alginate 0.3
Table-1 b
The percentage change in volume (of matrix- 80% of formulation) was assessed in terms of average Particle Size Distribution after 8 months and is provided herein below Table-2:

Particle size 4 mm and above (3-4) mm (2-3) mm Below 2 mm
Ex-2 Ex-2 Ex-2 Ex-2
Matrix at day 0 78.9% 1.1% - -
Matrix after 8 months 62.5% 2.5% 1.3% 3.7%

Table-2
It is observed from aforesaid Table-2 that difference in chunk volume across respective average matrix sizes was not more than 10% after 8 months.

Microbial stability
Microbial stability report for the stabilised aqueous precursor formulation according to Examples 1 and 2 after 8 months is provided herein below Table-3:
Parameter Result for Example 1 Result for Example 2 Protocol
Total Plate Count,cfu/g 3 X 102 7 X 102 IS 5402:2012 (RA 2018)
Yeast and Mould count, cfu/g <10 <10 IS 5403: 1999 (RA 2018)
Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria, cfu/10g Absent Absent Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods-Chapter 24.64,5th edition.
Heat Resistant Mould, cfu/10g Absent Absent Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods-Chapter 21,5th edition.
Table-3
It is observed from the aforesaid Table-3 that precursor formulations prepared according to present invention are microbially stable for at least 8 months.

EXAMPLE-2
Non-working Examples/ Comparative Examples:
Water loss in different conditions was studied in untreated aloe vera gel matrices.

It was concluded that, on an average, approx. 20% of loss is inevitable post cutting at ambient temperature. This water loss continues to happen irrespective of temperature conditions. Figure-1 shows drip loss percentage in 10 days of this comparative sample (untreated aloe vera gel matrices). Table-4 below describes the comparative examples:

Ex. No. Combinations % Dosage Carrier Medium Observations & Remarks
Sugar Syrup (°Brix) Aloe Juice
20 30 40 50 60 70 0.5°Brix
3 Pectin 0.01 v Retention of shape was not more than 2 months
Sodium Alginate 0.01
4 Pectin 3.5 v Average particle size was not maintained
Potassium Alginate 0.02
5 Xanthan Gum 0.01 v Water loss was more than 30%
Potassium Alginate 1.2
6 Xanthan Gum 4.1 v Not Microbially stable more than 1 month
Sodium Alginate 1.5
7 Xanthan Gum 0.01 v Shrinkage of chunks within 3 days
Sodium Alginate 0.01
8 Pectin 0.01 v Retention of shape is not more than 2 months
Sodium alginate 0.1
9 Pectin 2.5 v
Average particle size is not maintained
Potassium alginate 0.02

Table-4
Inference: It is observed from the aforesaid that when ranges for a combination of matrix-boosting and coating agents and carrier medium are outside the working ranges as recited above matrices in such context were not found to be stabilised & shelf stable. Example -5 aloe vera matrices formulation having xanthan gum and sodium alginate outside the defined range was not microbially stable. Furthermore, the aforesaid data also establish that even presence of sugar syrup in itself (Examples 3-5, 7) does not help in maintaining the water content, shape and integrity of the aloe chunks. Examples 8 and 9 show that even if one of the components is outside the defined working range then desired stability and particle size is not achieved. In an embodiment, the precursor formulation of the present invention are devoid of sugar syrup and the brix content of these samples ranges from 0.5º Brix to 7º Brix. In another embodiment, the precursor formulation contains sugar syrup.

Further, after chunking, following were used individually as treatment upon aloe vera (100%) and the effect was observed as in Table 5 below.

Stabilising Agent % Dosage Carrier Medium Observations & Remarks
Aloe vera chunks + Pectin 0.05 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
0.2 NA 10% Drip loss was arrested; Exceeded upper limit for microbial stability in 2 days
1.0 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
3.0 NA 2.5% Drip loss was arrested
Aloe vera chunks + Xanthan Gum 0.1 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
0.5 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
2.0 NA 2% Drip loss was arrested
3.0 NA 10% Drip loss was arrested; Exceeded upper limit for microbial stability in 2 days
4.0 NA 5.5% Drip loss was arrested
Aloe vera chunks + Sodium Alginate 0.05 NA 3% Drip loss was arrested
0.1 NA 10% Drip loss was arrested; Exceeded upper limit for microbial stability in 2 days
0.8 NA 1% Drip loss was arrested
1.6 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
2.4 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment
3.2 NA Drip loss % is identical as without treatment

Table 5

Inference: With use of stabilising agent but in absence of Carrier medium, drip losses are inevitable resulting in shrinkage of matrices.

As observed for the working examples according to present invention (Tables 1a and 1b) comprising the matrix boosting agents and film coating agents at defined concentration help in achieving microbiologically stable matrices till 8 months while retention of shape and drip loss of not more than 10%.

EXAMPLE-3
Stability of the treated matrices according to present invention in finished formulations:
A] Stability of treated matrices according to present invention in finished formulation with sugar:
Litchi Beverage-XG_A_TAC_WS 14_10.5
Parameter 0 day 11 Month
Added quantity of chunks (4 gm/100 ml) 4 3.4
Percent of Size for added quantity of chunks
4 mm and above 100% 82.32
3-4 mm 0% 4.6
2-3 mm 0% 8.78
below 2 mm 0% 4.3
Microbial parameter
Total Plat Count cfu/g <10 <10
Yeast & Mold, cfu/g <10 <10
Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Heat Resistant Mould cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Table 6a
B] Stability of treated matrices according to present invention in finished formulation without sugar:
Litchi Beverage-XG_A_TAC_WOS 2.5
Parameter 0 day 11 Month
Added quantity of chunks (4 gm/100 ml) 3.96 3.3
Percent of Size for added quantity of chunks
4 mm and above 100% 77.42
3-4 mm 0% 6.99
2-3 mm 0% 9.53
below 2 mm 0% 6.06
Microbial parameter
Total Plat Count cfu/g <10 <10
Yeast & Mold, cfu/g <10 <10
Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Heat Resistant Mould cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Table 6b
Inference: From the aforesaid Tables 6a and 6b, it is observed that the treated matrices of the precursor formulations as envisaged in the present invention maintains structural integrity and stability in a variety of finished formulations that are devoid of sugars or even those containing sugar.

C] Stability of treated matrices according to present invention suspended in a finished product slurry (containing xanthan gum, alginate, etc.) versus untreated matrices directly suspended (without treatment) in the same finished product slurry.
a) Treated matrices according to present invention in finished formulation:
Litchi Beverage-XG_SA_TAC
Parameter 0 day 11 Month
Added quantity of chunks (4 gm/100 ml) 4 3.2
Percent of Size for added quantity of chunks
4 mm and above 100% 84.82
3-4 mm 0% 5.78
2-3 mm 0% 8.2
below 2 mm 0% 1.2
Microbial parameter
Total Plat Count cfu/g <10 <10
Yeast & Mold, cfu/g <10 <10
Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Heat Resistant Mould cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Table 7a
b) Untreated matrices suspended directly in finished formulation (comparative example):
Litchi Beverage-XG_SA_UTAC
Parameter 0 day 3 Month
Added quantity of chunks (4 gm/100 ml) 3.8 1.52
Percent of Size for added quantity of chunks
4 mm and above 100% 21.26
3-4 mm 0% 5.78
2-3 mm 0% 5.55
below 2 mm 0% 67.41
Microbial parameter
Total Plat Count cfu/g <10 <10
Yeast & Mold, cfu/g <10 <10
Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Heat Resistant Mould cfu/10 g Absent Absent
Table 7b

Inference: From the aforesaid Tables 7a and 7b, it is evident that precursor formulations containing the treated matrices according to present invention, show a higher stability in chunk volume in the finished formulation for a longer period (11 months) as compared to the untreated matrices suspended directly into the same finished formulation (3 months).

It is to be understood that the present invention is susceptible to modifications, changes and adaptations by those skilled in the art. Such modifications, changes, adaptations are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.
,CLAIMS:
1. A shelf stable precursor formulation comprising:
a. 50 to 80 wt.% of solid matrices having a water content ranging from 90 to 99 wt.%;
b. 0.02 to 2.7 wt.% of matrix-boosting agent;
c. 0.05 to 0.4 wt.% of coating agent;
d. Carrier medium comprising solvent and optional additives;
Wherein, said precursor formulation has a brix content ranging from 0.5º Brix to 7º Brix.

2. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solid matrix is in a form selected from chunks, block, cube, piece, fillet or mixtures thereof.

3. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrices are selected from gel based matrices or fiber based matrices.

4. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrices are selected from plant-based matrices or synthetic matrices.

5. The formulation as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plant-based matrices are selected from fruit chunks, vegetable chunks, plant chunks or combinations thereof.

6. The formulation as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plant-based matrices are selected from aloe vera gel chunks, watermelon chunks, litchi chunks or combinations thereof.

7. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the average size of solid matrices ranges from 2 to 8 mm.

8. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the matrix-boosting agent is selected from pectin, xanthan gum, carrageenan, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, gellan, acacia gum, gum arabic, guar gum or combinations thereof.

9. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating agent is selected from sodium alginate, potassium alginate or combinations thereof.

10. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from water, fruit juice, monosaccharides solution, disaccharide solution, oligosaccharide solution, or combinations thereof.

11. The formulation as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optional additives are selected from osmotic agent, pH regulator, colorant, antioxidant or combinations thereof.

12. The formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 further comprising sugar syrup.

13. A finished formulation comprising the shelf stable precursor formulation as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 12.