Process for iron supplementation of beverages

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A process for the preparation of an aqueous soluble ferric pyrophosphate concentrate solution, wherein the process comprises the steps of: (a) forming an aqueous dispersion of insoluble ferric pyrophosphate by adding 0.1 to 5 weight/volume % of the insoluble ferric pyrophosphate to water, (b) adding 0.15 to 50 weight/volume % of trisodium citrate to the aqueous dispersion obtained from (a) to form an aqueous ferric pyrophosphate and trisodium citrate solution, and (c) boiling the resulting aqueous ferric pyrophosphate and trisodium citrate solution from step (b) by heating the aqueous ferric pyrophosphate and trisodium citrate solution at a temperature of 100 to 120 C. and a pH of between 4 to 8 for a time of 10 to 120 minutes until complete dissolution of ferric pyrophosphate occurs to thereby obtain an aqueous soluble ferric pyrophosphate concentrate solution.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is practiced to achieve a concentration of ferric pyrophosphate in the aqueous dispersion of between 0.4 and 2 weight/volume %.

3. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced to achieve a concentration of the trisodium citrate in the solution of between 4 and 20 weight/volume %.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the ferric pyrophosphate and the trisodium citrate are present in amounts to achieve a ratio of the ferric pyrophosphate to the trisodium citrate of between 0.01 and 1.

5. The process according to claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of ferric pyrophosphate to trisodium citrate is between 0.05 and 0.5.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is practiced at a pH of about 6.

7. The process according to claim 1, wherein step (a) is practiced by adding the ferric pyrophosphate and the trisodium citrate to boiling water.

8. The process according to claim 7, wherein step (a) is practiced to achieve a concentration of ferric pyrophosphate in the aqueous dispersion of between 0.4 and 2 weight/volume %.

Description

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Preparation of an Orange Juice Supplemented with Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate

(1) For 250 Litre Orange Juice

(2) 18 g Ferric Pyrophosphate and 180 g Tri sodium citrate are dissolved in 3 litre of boiling water. This iron concentrate is stirred and heated until completely dissolved. Then the solution is cooled down and added to 250 litre orange juice. The final drink might be pasteurized.

(3) This drink contains 4.5 mg bioavailable and dissolved iron in 250 ml ready drink.

Example 2: Preparation of Milk Supplemented with Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate

(4) For 250 Litre Milk

(5) 18 g Ferric pyrophosphate and 180 g Tri sodium citrate are dissolved in 3 litre of boiling water. This iron concentrate is stirred and heated until completely dissolved. Then the solution is cooled down and added to 250 litre milk just before pasteurization. This drink contains 4.5 mg added and about 0.2 mg intrinsic iron in 250 ml ready milk.

Example 3: Preparation of Juice Drink Supplemented with Soluble Ferric Pyrophosphate

(6) For 1000 Litre Juice Drink

(7) 72 g Ferric pyrophosphate and 720 g Tri sodium citrate are dissolved in 12 litre of boiling water. This iron concentrate is stirred and heated until completely dissolved. Then the solution is cooled down

(8) 156 kg of sugar syrup 64 Bx, 200 g ascorbic acid, 6 kg citric acid 50% aqueous solution, quantum satis flavour (e.g. orange) and 3 kg of a 1% aqueous stock solution of Beta carotenen 10% CWS/S and step by step added to 200 l water, and carefully mixed without the use of a high speed mixer. Then the cooled down iron solution is added. This syrup is mixed, diluted to 1000 litre and pasteurized.