The present invention relates to beverage products. In particular, the invention is concerned with a protein system induced by controlled aggregation of milk proteins which imparts outstanding sensory attributes on beverage product, in particular when containing low fat and/or low sugar. A method of producing such beverage and the products obtainable from the method are also part of the present invention.

A composition for fortifying food and/or beverages comprising a complex of Fe(III), phytic acid and an amino compound selected from the group consisting of ammonium hydroxide; ammonium carbonate; ammonium phosphate dibasic; ammonium sodium phosphate dibasic and triammonium phosphate.

The present invention is directed to a new process for supplementation of beverages with soluble and bio available iron in the form of ferric pyrophosphate. This process allows iron supplementation of beverages at low cost, without affecting either the original taste or the colour of the beverages. It is also directed to a concentrate ferric pyrophosphate-citrate solution and its use in the preparation of an iron enriched beverage. The invention also relates to a beverage obtainable by this process.

According to the present invention, provided is a carbonate- and magnesium-substituted hydroxyapatite having a particle size of 5 nm or more and 60 nm or less, wherein a portion of the calcium atoms in the hydroxyapatite are substituted with magnesium atoms and a portion of phosphate groups are substituted with carbonate groups.

Disclosed are processes for reducing the cooked flavor, sulfur odor, and brown color of milk products that have been subjected to ultra-high temperature (UHT) sterilization via the UHT sterilization of certain milk fractions separately.

The invention provides a composition useful in maintaining or improving mobility, preferably joint function and muscle strength in ageing, healthy subjects. The composition includes specific amounts of glucosamine or a pharmaceutically-acceptable derivative thereof, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc. Also provided is the composition in the form of a powdered food product, and a beverage product comprising the composition in the form of a powder which has been reconstituted in a liquid. Also provided is the use of the composition or food or beverage product in maintaining or improving mobility, preferably joint function and muscle strength in ageing, healthy subjects.

The invention relates to a method of producing a food or beverage product, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising, micellar caseins and whey proteins and having a pH of 6.1-7.1 and a concentration of 1-15 wt. % of proteins, and wherein the ingredient composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding 3-25 mM divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, homogenising the ingredient composition; and subsequently pasteurising and stirring the ingredient composition at a temperature of 80-100 C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated proteins comprising caseins and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey proteins, the agglomerates having a size of 5-50 microns as measured by D.sub.(4, 3) mean diameter. The invention relates also to a food or beverage product comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar casein and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.1-7.1, a concentration of 6-40 wt. % milk solids, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations, and wherein the agglomerates having a size of 5-50 microns mean diameter D.sub.(4, 3) as measured by laser diffraction.

The invention relates to a method of producing a dairy concentrate, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising micellar caseins and whey proteins and having a pH of 6.1-7.1 and a concentration of 3-25 wt. % of proteins, and wherein the ingredient composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding 3-25 mM divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, homogenising the ingredient composition; and subsequently pasteurising and stirring the ingredient composition at a temperature of 80-105 C. for a period of 0.5-3 min to form agglomerated proteins comprising caseins and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey proteins, the agglomerates having a size of 3-50 microns as measured by D(4,3) mean diameter. The invention also relates to a method with an ultra-high temperature treatment of the ingredient mix. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dairy concentrate comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar casein and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.0-7.1, a concentration of 6-55 wt. % milk solids, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-8 mM free divalent cations, and wherein the agglomerates having a size of 3-50 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction.

The invention relates to a method of producing a shelf stable ready-to-drink beverage product, comprising the steps of: providing an ingredient composition comprising micellar caseins and whey protein, having a total protein concentration of 1.5-8 wt. %, and wherein the composition has a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, adding divalent cations to provide a concentration of 3-20 mM free divalent cations in the ingredient composition, and 0.025-0.3 wt % of a stabilizing system comprising hydrocolloids, and subsequently heat treating the ingredient composition at ultra high temperature (UHT) at 135-150 C. for 3-30 s to form agglomerated proteins comprising casein and beta-lactoglobulin from the whey protein, the agglomerates having a size of 5-30 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction. The invention also relates to a shelf stable ready-to-drink beverage product comprising aggregated proteins comprising micellar caseins and whey protein aggregates, wherein the product has a pH of 6.6-7.2, 1.5-8.0 wt. % milk proteins, a casein to whey protein ratio of 90/10-60/40, and a concentration of 3-20 mM divalent cations, and the aggregates are of 5-30 microns mean diameter D(4,3) as measured by laser diffraction.

The present disclosure discloses a casein micelle with composition and structural features simulating human milk and a preparation method thereof. The method includes the following steps: adding a citrate ion, a calcium ion, and a phosphate ion to a solution of compound casein to obtain a mixed solution; and then adjusting the pH of the mixed solution to 6.7-7.4, and achieving a constant volume with water to obtain a solution of the casein micelle simulating human milk. Wherein ?-casein, ?-casein, and ?.sub.s1-casein have a mass proportion of 65-71%, 17-23%, and 9-15% in the compound casein respectively. In the solution of the casein micelle simulating human milk, the concentrations of compound casein, citrate ion, calcium ion and phosphate ion were 0.3-0.6%, 1.5-4.2 mM, 4.5-10.8 mM, and 1.1-4.5 mM, respectively. The casein micelle simulating human milk of the present disclosure is similar to human milk casein micelle, and has low allergenicity.