PARTICULATE FLAVOURING COMPOSITION COMPRISING PLATED LACTATE PARTICLES

Abstract

The present invention provides a particulate flavouring composition comprising at least 60 wt. % of plated lactate particles, the plated lactate particle comprising (i) a lactate particle containing calcium lactate and optionally edible acid; and (ii) a liquid flavouring that is absorbed onto the lactate particle; the plated lactate particle containing: 25-99.5 wt. % calcium lactate; 0-70 wt. % edible acid; and 0.5-40 wt. % of the liquid flavouring; and wherein the combination of calcium lactate, edible acid and the liquid flavouring constitutes at least 90 wt. %, preferably at least 95 wt. % of the plated lactate particle.

This flavour plated lactate powder is easy to produce, exhibits excellent physical stability and is capable of imparting intense flavour notes to foods and beverages.

Claims

1. A particulate flavoring composition, comprising at least 60 wt. % of plated lactate particles, the plated lactate particle comprising (i) a lactate particle containing calcium lactate and optionally edible acid; and (ii) a liquid flavoring that is absorbed onto the lactate particle, the liquid flavoring being liquid at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure; the plated lactate particle comprising: 25-99.5 wt. % calcium lactate; 0-60 wt. % edible acid; and 0.5-40 wt. % of the liquid flavoring; and wherein the combination of calcium lactate, edible acid and the liquid flavoring constitutes at least 90 wt. % of the plated lactate particle.

2. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1, wherein the combination of calcium lactate, edible acid and the liquid flavoring constitutes at least 95 wt. % of the plated lactate particle.

3. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1, wherein the plated lactate particles have a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 10-1000 μm.

4. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 3, wherein the plated lactate particles have a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 50-800 μm.

5. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1, wherein the plated lactate particle comprises 1-24.5 wt. % of a liquid solvent selected from water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triglyceride oil, diglyceride oil, monoglyceride oil, terpene and combinations thereof.

6. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1, wherein the lactate particle comprises: 35-90 wt. % calcium lactate; and 10-65 wt. % of edible acid.

7. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 6, wherein the edible acid covers the surface of the lactate particle.

8. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 6, wherein the edible acid is selected from lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid and combinations thereof.

9. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 6, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the calcium lactate is anhydrous calcium lactate.

10. The particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1, wherein at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate particle is calcium lactate pentahydrate.

11. A method of introducing flavor into an edible composition, the method comprising combining 100 parts by weight of one or more edible ingredients with 0.1-10 parts by weight of a particulate flavoring composition according to claim 1.

12. A process of preparing plated lactate particles, comprising: providing a lactate powder having a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 10-1000 μm, the lactate powder comprising at least 25-100 wt. % calcium lactate and 0-75 wt. % edible acid, the combination of calcium lactate and edible acid constituting at least 90 wt. % of the lactate powder; providing a liquid flavoring that is liquid at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure; and combining the lactate powder and the liquid flavoring.

13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the lactate powder comprises: 30-92 wt. % calcium lactate; and 10-72 wt. % of edible acid.

14. The process according to claim 13, wherein the edible acid covers the surface of the lactate powder.

15. The process according to claim 13, wherein the edible acid is selected from lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid and combinations thereof.

16. The process according to claim 13, wherein at least 50 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate powder is anhydrous calcium lactate.

17. The process according to claim 12, wherein at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate powder is calcium lactate pentahydrate.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A first aspect of the invention relates to a particulate flavouring composition comprising at least 60 wt. % of plated lactate particles, the plated lactate particle comprising (i) a lactate particle containing calcium lactate and optionally edible acid; and (ii) a liquid flavouring that is absorbed onto the lactate particle; the plated lactate particle containing: [0031] 25-99.5 wt. % calcium lactate; [0032] 0-70 wt. % edible acid; and [0033] 0.5-40 wt. % of the liquid flavouring; and

[0034] wherein the combination of calcium lactate, edible acid and the liquid flavouring constitutes at least 90 wt. %, preferably at least 95 wt. % of the plated lactate particle.

[0035] Unless indicated otherwise, the term “lactate” as used herein encompasses both anhydrous and hydrated versions of the salt, such as calcium lactate pentahydrate.

[0036] The term “acid” as used herein refers to the fully protonated acid or, in case the acid contains two or more acid residues, to a fully or partially protonated acid.

[0037] The term “liquid flavouring” as used herein refers to a flavouring that is liquid at 20° C. and atmospheric pressure.

[0038] The particle size (diameter) distribution of the particulate flavouring composition, of the plated lactate particles and of the lactate powder used in the preparation of the plated lactate particles can suitably be determined by means of laser diffraction (eg Malvern Mastersizer 3000).

[0039] The water content of the particulate flavouring composition typically does not exceed 35 wt. %. More preferably, the particulate flavouring composition has a water content of not more than 32 wt. %, most preferably of not more than 30 wt. %. Here the water content includes the water that is contained in hydrated salts.

[0040] The plated lactate particles in the particulate flavouring composition preferably have a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 10-1000 μm, more preferably in the range of 50-800 μm, most preferably in the range of 200-750 μm.

[0041] The combination of calcium lactate and edible acid typically constitutes at least 90 wt. %, more preferably at least 95 wt. % of the lactate particle.

[0042] The plated lactate particle preferably contains 1.5-30 wt. %, more preferably 3-25 wt. %, most preferably 4-15 wt. % of the liquid flavouring.

[0043] The liquid flavouring that is absorbed onto the lactate particle typically contains a significant amount of solvent. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the plated lactate particle contains 1-24.5 wt. %, more preferably 2-20 wt. % of a liquid solvent selected from water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triglyceride oil (including triacetin), diglyceride oil, monoglyceride oil, terpene and combinations thereof.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the liquid flavouring contains a lipophilic solvent. Even more preferably, the plated lactate particle contains 1-24.5 wt. %, more preferably 2-20 wt. % of a liquid solvent selected from triglyceride oil, diglyceride oil, monoglyceride oil, terpene and combinations thereof.

[0045] In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention the lactate particles of the particulate flavouring composition contain a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid. Preferably, the lactate particle contains 30-90 wt. % calcium lactate; and 10-70 wt. % of edible acid. Even more preferably, the lactate particle contains 35-75 wt. % calcium lactate; and 25-65 wt. % of edible acid.

[0046] In the embodiment in which the lactate particles contain a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid, preferably at least 50 wt. %, more preferably at least 70 wt. % and most preferably at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate is anhydrous calcium lactate.

[0047] The water content of the lactate particles containing a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid preferably is in the range of 0-15 wt. %, more preferably of 0-10 wt. % and most preferably of 0-7 wt. %. Here the water content includes the water that is contained in hydrated salts.

[0048] The edible acid in the lactate particle preferably covers the surface of the lactate particle. Lactate powders containing particles in the form of calcium lactate covered by a layer of lactic acid are commercially available. Purac® Powder 55 and Purac® Powder 60 are examples of such commercially available lactate powders.

[0049] The edible acid that may be contained in the lactate particles is preferably selected from lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid and combinations thereof. More preferably, the edible acid selected from lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the edible acid is lactic acid.

[0050] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lactate particles essentially consist of calcium lactate, i.e. the particles contain more than 90 wt. %, preferably more than 95 wt. % calcium lactate.

[0051] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, most of the calcium lactate contained in the lactate particles that essentially consist of calcium lactate is calcium lactate pentahydrate. More preferably, at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate, most preferably at least 90 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate particle is calcium lactate pentahydrate. Puracal® PP is an example of such a calcium lactate powder that is commercially available.

[0052] The water content of the lactate particles essentially consisting of calcium lactate preferably is in the range of 8-35 wt. %, more preferably 10-32 wt. % and most preferably 12-30 wt. %. Here the water content includes the water that is contained in hydrated salts, such as calcium lactate pentahydrate.

[0053] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of introducing flavour into an edible composition, said method comprising combining 100 parts by weight of one or more edible ingredients with 0.1-10 parts by weight of a particulate flavouring composition as described herein before. More preferably, said method comprises combining 100 parts by weight of one or more edible ingredients with 0.2-3 parts by weight of the particulate flavouring composition.

[0054] Examples of edible compositions that may be flavoured by the present method include foods and beverages. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the edible composition is a confectionery product, more preferably a candy.

[0055] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a process of preparing plated lactate particles, comprising: [0056] providing a lactate powder having a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 10-1000 μm, said lactate powder comprising at least 25-100 wt. % calcium lactate and 0-75 wt. % edible acid, the combination of calcium lactate and edible acid constituting at least 90 wt. % of the lactate powder; [0057] providing a liquid flavouring; and [0058] combining the lactate powder and the liquid flavouring.

[0059] Preferably, the process yields plated lactate particles as defined herein before.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment, the combination of calcium lactate and edible acid constitutes at least 90 wt. %, more preferably at least 95 wt. % of the lactate powder.

[0061] The lactate powder that is employed in the present process preferably has a volume weighted mean diameter in the range of 8-800 μm, more preferably in the range of 30-700 μm, most preferably in the range of 150-650 μm.

[0062] The liquid flavouring that is employed in the present process preferably contains one or more flavour substances and optionally a liquid solvent. The liquid flavouring is preferably combined with the lactate powder by mixing the liquid flavouring with the lactate powder. Preferably, mixing of the liquid flavouring with the lactate powder comprising spraying the liquid flavouring onto the lactate powder while the particles of the lactate powder are being agitated.

[0063] The liquid flavouring typically comprises one or more flavouring ingredients selected from an essential oil, an oleoresin, a flavour substance and a compounded flavour composition. The flavouring ingredients can be chemically synthesized, biotechnologically synthesized or from a natural origin. Natural flavouring ingredients can for instance be produced by means of extraction from plant material such as vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices. Typically, these flavouring ingredients constitute at least 3 wt. %, more preferably at least 5 wt. % and most preferably at least 10 wt. % of the liquid flavouring.

[0064] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present process 0.6-40 parts by weight of the liquid flavouring is mixed with 100 parts by weight of the lactate powder. Even more preferably 1.5-30 parts by weight of the liquid flavouring is mixed with 100 parts by weight of the lactate powder. Most preferably, 3-25 parts by weight of the liquid flavouring is mixed with 100 parts by weight of the lactate powder.

[0065] In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the liquid flavouring contains at least 40 wt. % of a liquid solvent selected from water, ethanol, propylene glycol, glycerol, triglyceride oil (including triacetin), diglyceride oil, monoglyceride oil, terpene and combinations thereof. Even more preferably, the liquid flavouring contains at least 40 wt. % of a liquid solvent selected from triglyceride oil, diglyceride oil, monoglyceride oil, terpene and combinations thereof.

[0066] In one advantageous embodiment of the present process the lactate powder employed in the present process contains a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid. More preferably, the lactate powder contains 30-92 wt. % calcium lactate and 8-70 wt. % of edible acid. Even more preferably, the lactate powder contains 35-90 wt. % calcium lactate; and 10-65 wt. % of edible acid. Most preferably, the lactate particle contains 40-85 wt. % calcium lactate; and 15-60 wt. % of edible acid.

[0067] In the embodiment in which the lactate powder contains a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid, preferably at least 50 wt. %, more preferably at least 70 wt. % and most preferably at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate powder is anhydrous calcium lactate.

[0068] The water content of the lactate powder containing a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid preferably is in the range of 0-15 wt. %, more preferably of 0-10 wt. % and most preferably of 0-7 wt. %. Here the water content includes the water that is contained in hydrated salts.

[0069] In case the lactate powder contains a combination of calcium lactate and edible acid, the edible acid preferably covers the surface of the lactate particle.

[0070] The edible acid that may be contained in the lactate powder is preferably selected from lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid and combinations thereof. More preferably, the edible acid selected from lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the edible acid is lactic acid.

[0071] In another embodiment, the lactate powder essentially consists of calcium lactate, i.e. the lactate powder contains more than 90 wt. %, more preferably more than 95 wt. % calcium lactate.

[0072] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, most of the calcium lactate contained in the lactate powder that essentially consist of calcium lactate is calcium lactate pentahydrate. More preferably, at least 80 wt. % of the calcium lactate, most preferably at least 90 wt. % of the calcium lactate in the lactate particle is calcium lactate pentahydrate

[0073] The water content of the lactate powder essentially consisting of calcium lactate preferably is in the range of 8-35 wt. %, more preferably in the range of 10-32 wt. %, most preferably in the range of 12-30 wt. %. Here the water content includes the water that is contained in hydrated salts.

[0074] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0075] Particulate flavouring compositions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 according to the invention were prepared on the basis of the recipes shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Wt. % 1.1 1.2 1.3 Puracal ® PP (ex Corbion Purac) .sup.1 90 85 Purac ® Powder 55 (ex Corbion Purac) .sup.2 90 Orange essential oil 15 (liquid flavouring ex Givaudan) Strawberry flavour (liquid flavouring ex IFF) 10 10 .sup.1 Calcium lactate pentahydrate (13.4-14.5 wt. % calcium, 22-27 wt. % water) .sup.2 Lactate powder (40.0-45.0 wt. % calcium lactate; 53.0-57.0 wt. % lactic acid and max. 2 wt. % water). Lactic acid covers the surface of the powder particles.

[0076] The main component of the orange essential oil is limonene (a liquid terpene). The main component of the strawberry flavour was propylene glycol (91 wt. %)

[0077] Plated lactate powders were prepared by spraying the liquid flavouring onto the powder carriers in a plastic Securitainer® jar by means of a 50 mL atomizer. During the spraying, the mixture was blended with a spatula and/or shaken until the target loading was achieved.

[0078] All plated lactate powders were free flowing. The morphology of the lactate powders was not changed significantly by the plating. Table 2 shows the volume mean diameter (D([4,3]) of the powders before and after plating, indicating that some agglomeration occurred during plating.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 D [4, 3] in μm Puracal ® PP 258 Purac ® Powder 55 256 Plated powder 1.1 300 Plated powder 1.2 388 Plated powder 1.3 279

[0079] The plated lactate powder was stored in a plastic closed cup at 40° C. and 75% RH for 10 weeks, during which the flowability of the powders was monitored. After 10 weeks at 40° C. and 75% RH all powders showed light lumping, which could easily be removed by tapping.

Comparative Example A

[0080] Particulate flavouring compositions not according to the invention was prepared on the basis of the recipes shown in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Wt. % A.1 A.2 Maltodextrin C* Dry MD 01958 (ex Cargill) 90 Salt Suprasele ® medium (ex AkzoNobel) 97 Strawberry flavour (liquid flavouring ex IFF) 10 3

[0081] The plated powders were prepared in the same way as in Example 1.

[0082] The plated powder containing salt as the carrier already looked very wet at 3% loading, following which addition of liquid flavouring was discontinued. The plated powder made with maltodextrin was moist and became a lump after being stored at room conditions for 3 days.