Disclosed herein is a method for improving the health of animal or human microflora using aloe vera. A method of purifying decolorized dried aloe vera leaf juice is also disclosed. The method may include removing an aloe vera leaf from an aloe vera plant, washing and/or sanitizing the leaf, and grinding the leaf into a slurry and subsequently purifying with activated carbon. The method may remove pigmented substances including the undesirable phenolic compounds present in aloe vera latex, and in particular the anthrones aloin A and aloin B, aloesin (a chromone) and aloe-emodin (an anthraquinone). Following purification, the liquid juice may then be spray-dried to form a final dry juice powder.

For coloring foods, nutritional supplements, cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, the invention provides a dye, which contains at least one pigment in the form of a water-insoluble sulfate, carbonate, or phosphate of at least one alkaline earth metal, which is selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and magnesium carbonate.

For coloring foods, nutritional supplements, cosmetic or pharmaceutical products, the invention provides a dye, which contains at least one pigment in the form of a water-insoluble sulfate, carbonate, or phosphate of at least one alkaline earth metal, which is selected from the group consisting of calcium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, calcium phosphate, and magnesium carbonate.

The present disclosure provides a nutritional formula comprising alpha-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate; lactoferrin; oleic acid-palmitic acid-oleic acid triglyceride; lactose; lutein; docosahexanoic acid; arachidonic acid; galactooligosaccharides; and fructooligosaccharides. The provided nutritional formulas may be useful in providing nutrition and/or promoting postnatal development of a subject (e.g., promoting postnatal development of an infant's gastrointestinal tract, promoting proper gastrointestinal function, nutrient absorption, proper immune system development, etc.). Also provided are powder forms, reconstituted formulas, kits, methods, and uses that include or involve a nutritional formula described herein.

The present disclosure provides a nutritional formula comprising alpha-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate; lactoferrin; oleic acid-palmitic acid-oleic acid triglyceride; lactose; lutein; docosahexanoic acid; arachidonic acid; galactooligosaccharides; and fructooligosaccharides. The provided nutritional formulas may be useful in providing nutrition and/or promoting postnatal development of a subject (e.g., promoting postnatal development of an infant's gastrointestinal tract, promoting proper gastrointestinal function, nutrient absorption, proper immune system development, etc.). Also provided are powder forms, reconstituted formulas, kits, methods, and uses that include or involve a nutritional formula described herein.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, method and article of manufacturing for producing an edible multi-color ink image. In some embodiments, first and second fluids are provided where: i. the first fluid is an acidic edible and aqueous ink whose color is pH sensitive, the first fluid comprising anthocyanin-containing extract of anthocyanin-containing plant matter (ACE-ACPM), or solids of the ACE-ACPM; ii. the second fluid is an edible pH-adjusting liquid which is clear, or whose primary colorant is riboflavin or riboflavin-phosphate.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus, method and article of manufacturing for producing an edible multi-color ink image. In some embodiments, first and second fluids are provided where: i. the first fluid is an acidic edible and aqueous ink whose color is pH sensitive, the first fluid comprising anthocyanin-containing extract of anthocyanin-containing plant matter (ACE-ACPM), or solids of the ACE-ACPM; ii. the second fluid is an edible pH-adjusting liquid which is clear, or whose primary colorant is riboflavin or riboflavin-phosphate.

A beverage composition promotes cellular hydration when ingested by a multicellular organism, and includes a carbohydrate clathrate component that includes cyclodextrin, in a concentration of 0.01-5% w/w. A complex-forming compound is also included in a concentration that is less than the clathrate component, and there is an aqueous liquid component, such as still and carbonated aqueous liquids. An inclusion complex is formed with at least some of the clathrate component and at least some of the complex-forming compound and the composition promotes cellular hydration of the multicellular organism when the multicellular organism ingests it. There is also a beverage composition that increases lifespan in the multicellular organism, and methods of promoting cellular hydration and increasing lifespan of the multicellular organism according to a mechanism of action.

A beverage composition promotes cellular hydration when ingested by a multicellular organism, and includes a carbohydrate clathrate component that includes cyclodextrin, in a concentration of 0.01-5% w/w. A complex-forming compound is also included in a concentration that is less than the clathrate component, and there is an aqueous liquid component, such as still and carbonated aqueous liquids. An inclusion complex is formed with at least some of the clathrate component and at least some of the complex-forming compound and the composition promotes cellular hydration of the multicellular organism when the multicellular organism ingests it. There is also a beverage composition that increases lifespan in the multicellular organism, and methods of promoting cellular hydration and increasing lifespan of the multicellular organism according to a mechanism of action.

Disclosed is a curcumin nanoparticle, including curcumin as core material and a wall material, where a weight ratio of the curcumin to the wall material is (5.5-7.5):100, and the wall material includes gum arabic and zein in a weight ratio of (1-5):5. The disclosure further provides a method of making the curcumin nanoparticle and a curcumin beverage containing the curcumin nanoparticle.