The instant invention concerns aqueous clear, transparent dispersions of lipid-soluble bioactive materials having particle sizes of 20-180 nm or 20-100 nm, processes for their preparation, their use, especially as or in beverages, solid particles derived therefrom, a process/method to evaluate the applicability of emulsifiers for the preparation of such dispersions.

The instant invention concerns aqueous clear, transparent dispersions of lipid-soluble bioactive materials having particle sizes of 20-180 nm or 20-100 nm, processes for their preparation, their use, especially as or in beverages, solid particles derived therefrom, a process/method to evaluate the applicability of emulsifiers for the preparation of such dispersions.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for producing and using a sugar cane syrup, juice, or powder. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a system and associated processes for processing sugar cane using a cold processing pipeline in a manner that retains its natural nutritional value while producing a syrup, juice, or powder without significant separation of the natural nutrients or use of harmful chemicals.

Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to increase at least one of energy expenditure, sympathetic nervous system activity, or fat oxidation, relative to a composition lacking cinnamaldehyde and zinc but otherwise identical. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to support weight managementor promote weight loss, a method for preventing obesity or overweight, and a method for treating obesity or overweight. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehydeis administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement. The composition can improve one or more of insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, cognitive performance, cognition, mood or memory.

Compositions comprise an amount of cinnamaldehyde that is orally tolerable, thus avoiding an unpleasant mouth feeling, and also tolerable in the gastrointestinal tract. The amount of cinnamaldehyde is supplemented by zinc, and the combination is effective to increase at least one of energy expenditure, sympathetic nervous system activity, or fat oxidation, relative to a composition lacking cinnamaldehyde and zinc but otherwise identical. The composition comprising the combination of cinnamaldehyde and zinc can be used in a method to support weight managementor promote weight loss, a method for preventing obesity or overweight, and a method for treating obesity or overweight. In an embodiment, the composition comprising cinnamaldehydeis administered to a human. The composition comprising cinnamaldehyde may be a medicament, a food product or a supplement. The composition can improve one or more of insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, cognitive performance, cognition, mood or memory.

Grape seed extract compositions and related systems and methods for manufacture are provided. The methods can include obtaining a grape seed extract source material; filtering the grape seed extract source material to obtain a first retentate and a first permeate; drying the first retentate to obtain a first grape seed extract having a first mean degree of polymerization; filtering the first permeate to obtain a second retentate and a second permeate; drying the second retentate to obtain a second grape seed extract having a second mean degree of polymerization less than the first mean degree of polymerization; purifying the second permeate to obtain a purified liquid; and drying the purified liquid to obtain a third grape seed extract having a third mean degree of polymerization less than the second mean degree of polymerization.

Grape seed extract compositions and related systems and methods for manufacture are provided. The methods can include obtaining a grape seed extract source material; filtering the grape seed extract source material to obtain a first retentate and a first permeate; drying the first retentate to obtain a first grape seed extract having a first mean degree of polymerization; filtering the first permeate to obtain a second retentate and a second permeate; drying the second retentate to obtain a second grape seed extract having a second mean degree of polymerization less than the first mean degree of polymerization; purifying the second permeate to obtain a purified liquid; and drying the purified liquid to obtain a third grape seed extract having a third mean degree of polymerization less than the second mean degree of polymerization.

The invention relates to compositions and methods using various combinations of at least one of phytosterols, lunasin peptide and plant extracts, optionally in combination with at least one of, soy extracts, beta-glycolipides and different adjuvants such as, castor oil, polyethylene glycol, or beta-cyclo dextrin, for controlling blood sugar levels, altered insulin resistance and/or hepatic function in a subject, treating an immune related disorder, treating liver damage and restoring liver function, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing or delaying the onset of acute or chronic toxic effect of a drug, and for enhancing the therapeutic effect of a therapeutic agent in a subject.

The invention relates to compositions and methods using various combinations of at least one of phytosterols, lunasin peptide and plant extracts, optionally in combination with at least one of, soy extracts, beta-glycolipides and different adjuvants such as, castor oil, polyethylene glycol, or beta-cyclo dextrin, for controlling blood sugar levels, altered insulin resistance and/or hepatic function in a subject, treating an immune related disorder, treating liver damage and restoring liver function, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing or delaying the onset of acute or chronic toxic effect of a drug, and for enhancing the therapeutic effect of a therapeutic agent in a subject.

Formation of low-crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles via cooling-controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO.sub.2) impregnation of phytosterols into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water dissolution and bioaccessibility of the phytosterols, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.