DE202011110348U1 - Non-alcoholic beverage with high natural vitamin and mineral content - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-alcoholic beverage containing extract of one or more microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella and the macroalgae Litothamnium calcareum, wherein the beverage at 20 ° C has a total content of extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than as 0.25 g / l.

Description

The present invention relates to a non-alcoholic beverage.

The beverage industry offers a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages. These include, for example, mineral water, bottled water, non-alcoholic beers, soft drinks, fruit juice drinks, fruit spritzers, lemonades and showers. These drinks are consumed not only for eating, but often after mental, physical or other physically strenuous activities. Especially after sports or other physically strenuous activities or after high mental stress drinks to be included is required that they contain a variety of nutrients, minerals and vitamins, in a sufficiently high amount to those in the physical or mental stress due Sweat and metabolic activities to replace, at least in part, lost or used nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

Because of their high protein content, such beverages are often added to bacteria, yeast or algae extracts. For example, it is known that extracts of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina in addition to a high protein content in particular also high levels of vitamins and in particular of vitamin B12, but are inactive and can not be sublimated as expected. Nevertheless, it is already practice to add such Spirulina products in powder form as dietary supplements or these in beverages produce such spirulina additives in the form of solids containing drinks after drinking a bad mouthfeel and the vitamin B12 has rather negative effects in the vitamin B12 sublimation. In addition, such drinks are characterized by a bad smell and taste and especially by a bad aftertaste. Another disadvantage of these drinks is that they do not have a sufficiently high mineral content, in particular calcium and magnesium content, and have no long shelf life. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a non-alcoholic beverage which contains natural vitamins and minerals in a high and physiologically balanced amount as well as in a rapidly absorbable and utilizable form, and which also has an excellent taste, an excellent mouthfeel and a good smell. According to the invention this object is achieved by providing a non-alcoholic beverage containing extract of one or more microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella and extract of the microorganism Lithothamnium calcareum, wherein the drink at 20 ° C on the total amount of the beverage related solids content Extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than 0.25 g / l.

Surprisingly, such a non-alcoholic beverage not only has a comparatively high and physiologically balanced amount of natural proteins, vitamins, especially vitamins B and C and especially vitamin B12, amino acids, polyphenols and especially minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, but is characterized in particular also by an excellent taste, an excellent mouthfeel and a good smell, which brought out excellent values in taste test. In particular, this drink is characterized by a surprisingly dry Nachtrunk and a good Reszenz. Furthermore, the proteins naturally present in the beverage, vitamins B and C and minerals are very bioavailable. In addition, it has surprisingly been found in the context of the present invention that spirulina extract has a taste-enhancing positive property and rounds the fruit base in terms of taste. Another advantage of the drink according to the invention is that it is comparatively calorie-compliant. For the purposes of the present invention, extract means any aqueous extract of microorganisms, that is to say in the present case Spirulina cyanobacteria, Chlorella algae or Lithothamnium calcareum. This is a liquid extract. Such an aqueous liquid extract can be obtained, for example, by extraction of spirulina, chlorella and / or Lithothamnium calcareum biomass or powder in aqueous solution or, more preferably in the case of Lithothamnium calcareum, in acidic aqueous solution. From such a liquid extract can be obtained by drying the liquid extract, for example by spraying or freeze-drying, a dry extract. A particular advantage of these aqueous extracts is that they no longer contain any lipids resulting from the cell membrane of the microorganisms, which contaminate filling plants and can only be removed therefrom by time-consuming and costly flushing with solvents. In principle, aqueous extracts of all microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella can be added to the drink according to the invention. Spirulina is a genus of cyanobacteria that includes several species, and Chlorella is a genus of freshwater algae. In particular, good results are obtained when the extract of microorganisms is an extract of Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima, Chlorella vulgaris and any mixtures of two or more of the aforementioned microorganisms. Especially good results will be obtained when the beverage according to the invention contains an extract of Spirulina platensis and / or Chlorella vulgaris. In order to bring to its one surprisingly in the context of the present invention found taste-enhancing property to full development and on the other to obtain a sufficiently high vitamin content, especially vitamin B12 and vitamin C content, it is proposed in development of the inventive idea that the beverage according to the invention Spirulina and / or Chlorella extract in a dry matter of at least 0.5 g / l, preferably from 0.5 to 10 g / l, more preferably from 1 to 5 g / l and most preferably from 1.5 to 2 , 5 g / l based on the total amount of the beverage contains.

In this context, dry mass refers to the mass of the solid obtainable by evaporation of 1 l of beverage and originating from the spirulina or chlorella extract, ie the sum of the mass of spirulina or chlorella dry extract completely dissolved in the beverage the mass in the beverage undissolved or suspended present Spirulina or Chlorella extract solid. In the drink contained Spirulina- or Chlorella extract solid, so undissolved or suspended present Spirulina extract or Chlorella extract, leads from a certain amount to an unpleasant odor and a bad taste and a bad mouthfeel of the drink , Thus, according to the present invention, the beverage has a solids content of undissolved or suspended extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than 0.25 g / l, based on the total amount of the beverage. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the beverage has a total solids content of undissolved or suspended extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than 5.10 _-2 g / l, preferably less than 10 _-2 g / l, more preferably less than 10 5.10 _-3 g / l, most preferably less than 10 _-3 g / l, and most preferably less than 10 _-4 g / l. In contrast to the above-defined dry matter, solids content in the sense of the present invention means the mass of spirulina or chlorella extract which is undissolved or suspended in the drink. Thus, the extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina or Chlorella in the beverage according to the invention is at least predominantly and preferably completely dissolved. In a further development of the inventive concept, it is proposed that the beverage has a total solids content of less than 0.25 g / l, preferably less than 5.10 _-2 g / l, particularly preferably less than 10 _-2 g / l, more preferably less 5.10 _-3 g / l, more preferably less than 10 _-3 g / l and most preferably less than 10 _-4 g / l. Basically, the present invention is not limited to the amount of Lithothamnium calcareum extract contained in the non-alcoholic beverage. However, in view of a high calcium content of the non-alcoholic beverage, it is preferable that it has a total dry matter of Lithothamnium calcareum extract of at least 1 g / L, preferably at least 5 g / L and more preferably at least 10 g / l.

Lithothamnium calcareum is a calcareous algae of the family Corallinales and is characterized by a high calcium content. High calcium content in the beverage is desirable because calcium is one of the essential minerals that every human organism desperately needs but can not produce by itself. In the context of the present invention, it has surprisingly been found that by adding a correspondingly high amount of Lithothamnium calcareum extract, a beverage containing 10 to 50% or even more of the daily requirement of an adult of calcium by the same amount of silicon covering minerals per 1000 ml which nevertheless has an excellent mouthfeel, a good odor and an excellent taste, in particular a dry after-drink and a good resume.

In order to obtain a drink with a sufficiently high stability, especially with regard to a long shelf life, it is preferred that the non-alcoholic beverage according to the invention has a pH of at most 4. Particularly good results are achieved in this respect in particular if the non-alcoholic beverage has a pH of from 3 to 4, particularly preferably from 3.25 to 3.75, more preferably from 3.4 to 3.6 and most preferably about 3.5 having. For the same reason and also with regard to a refreshing taste, it is proposed in a further development of the inventive concept that the non-alcoholic beverage has a carbon dioxide content of at most 5 g / l, preferably from 4 to 5 g / l, particularly preferably from 4.5 to 5 g / l and most preferably from 4.6 to 4.8 g / l.

According to another particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-alcoholic beverage contains - in addition to water, spirulina and / or chlorella extract and Lithothamnium calcareum extract - a natural extract and / or a natural flavoring of at least one citrus fruit. In particular, the citrus fruit may be a fruit selected from the group consisting of oranges, lemons, mandarins, grapefruit, and any mixtures of two or more the above fruits. The flavoring is a natural flavoring. A particular advantage of this embodiment is that the addition of the extract and / or flavor of at least one citrus fruit increases the bioavailability of the vitamins contained in the spirulina or chlorella extract. Apart from this, the flavor of Spirulina or Chlorella extract is laminated by this addition. In addition or alternatively, the beverage of the invention may contain one or more other additives, for example fruit additives such as extract and / or flavor of a fruit selected from the group consisting of acai, bananas, elderberry, pomegranate, mango and any combination consists of two or more of the above fruits. Also suitable are extracts and / or flavorings of other crops, such. Guarana, cocoa, cola nut and / or tea, such as white tea, pai mu tan, green tea, oolong and black tea. Herbal infusions and extracts and extracts of vegetables, grasses, bushes, such as rooibos and honey bushes, pome fruit, heather plants, rose plants, such as raspberries or blackberries, and cactus plants, such as Hindi fruit, have proven to be suitable. Due to the numerous natural polyphenols and amino acids, additives of taurine and / or caffeine can be dispensed with. Furthermore, one or more inorganic salts, such as, in particular, magnesium salts, in particular magnesium chloride, may optionally be added to the beverage. Preferably, the non-alcoholic beverage has a sugar content of 4 to 6 wt .-%, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5 wt .-% and particularly preferably from about 5.0 wt .-% to.

In addition, it is preferred that the non-alcoholic beverage has a calorie content of between 10 and 30, more preferably between 15 and 25, and most preferably between 20 and 25 kcal / 100 ml of beverage 15, and contains natural sweeteners such as biological agave syrup.

• a) Bereitstellen von Biomasse von einem oder mehreren Mikroorganismen der Gattung Spirulina und/oder der Gattung Chlorella,
• b) Dispergieren der in dem Schritt a) bereitgestellten Biomasse in Wasser,
• c) Wärmebehandeln der in dem Schritt b) hergestellten Dispersion und Abtrennen der extrahierten Biomasse,
• d) Filtrieren des in dem Schritt c) erhaltenen Flüssigextrakts zu einer Lösung mit einem Feststoffgehalt bei 20°C von weniger als 0,025 Gew.-%,
• e) Bereitstellen eines Extrakts von Lithothamnium calcareum und
• f) Zugabe der in dem Schritt d) erhaltenen Lösung, des in dem Schritt e) bereitgestellten Extrakts und von Kohlendioxid zu Wasser.

In principle, the non-alcoholic beverage of the invention may be any kind of non-alcoholic beverage, such as, but not limited to, mineral, bottled, non-alcoholic, soft drink, fruit juice, fruit spritzer, lemonade or effervescent. The method for producing a non-alcoholic beverage described above, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing biomass of one or more microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or of the genus Chlorella,
• b) dispersing the biomass provided in step a) in water,
• c) heat treating the dispersion prepared in step b) and separating the extracted biomass,
• d) filtering the liquid extract obtained in step c) into a solution having a solids content at 20 ° C. of less than 0.025% by weight,
• e) providing an extract of Lithothamnium calcareum and
• f) adding the solution obtained in step d), the extract provided in step e) and carbon dioxide to water.

The dispersion in process step b) can be carried out in any manner known to the person skilled in the art, for example by mixing in a two-component stirrer with a sufficiently high stirring speed. In this case, preference is given to using water whose pH is adjusted to 3 to 4, preferably to 3.25 to 3.75 and particularly preferably to about 3.5.

In process step c), a heat treatment is performed to extract a majority of the spirulina or chlorella ingredients in the water. The dispersion is heated for example for 2 to 12 hours to a temperature of 70 to 95 ° C. In order to remove at least a majority of the solids and preferably the entire solids content from the dispersion, one or preferably a plurality of filtration steps are carried out in process step d). Preferably, at least one ultrafiltration step is carried out in order to determine the solids content of the solution, measured at 20.degree. C., to less than 0.025% by weight, preferably to less than 0.01% by weight, more preferably to less than 0.001% by weight. %, and most preferably less than 0.0001% by weight. Another particular advantage of the liquid extract solution thus prepared is that it no longer contains any lipids resulting from the cell membrane of the microorganisms, which contaminate bottling plants and can only be removed therefrom by time-consuming and costly flushing out. In step e), a dry extract or a liquid extract of Lithothamnium calcareum is prepared, for example, by extracting Lithothamnium calcareum powder in an aqueous-acidic solution.

Finally, in process step f), the spirulina and / or chlorella extract, the Lithothamnium calcareum extract, water, carbon dioxide and the optional other ingredients of the beverage, in particular fermented barley malt, and extract and at least one citrus fruit, are combined mixed to produce the inventive and non-alcoholic drink SPIRULI.

Claims (10)

A non-alcoholic beverage containing extract of one or more microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella and the macroalgae Litothamnium calcareum, wherein the beverage at 20 ° C has a total content of extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than as 0.25 g / l. Non-alcoholic beverage according to claim 1, characterized in that the extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella is selected from the group consisting of extracts of Spirulina platensis, Spirulina maxima, Chlorella vulgaris and any mixtures of two or more of the aforementioned extracts and provides active vitamin B12 for substitution. Non-alcoholic beverage according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dry matter of the extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and / or Chlorella based on the total amount of the beverage at least 0.5 g / l, preferably 0.5 to 10 g / l, particularly preferred 1-5 g / l and most preferably 1.5 to 2.5 g / l. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it at 20 ° C based on the total amount of the beverage solids content of extract of microorganisms of the genus Spirulina and Chlorella of less than 5-10 _- ² g / l, preferably less than 10 _- ² g / l, particularly preferably less than 5-10 _{- has} ³ g / l and at most preferably less than 10 _-4 g / l. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dry matter of the extract of Litothamnium calcareum based on the total amount of the beverage at least 1 g / l, preferably at least 5 g / l and more preferably at least 10 g / l. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a pH of not more than 4, preferably from 3-4, more preferably from 3.25 to 3.75 and most preferably from 3.4 to 3.6. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a carbon dioxide content of at most 5 g / l, preferably from 4 to 5 g / l, more preferably from 4.5 to 5 g / l and most preferably from 4.6 to 4.8 g / l Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also contains an extract and / or natural flavor of a citrus fruit. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a sugar content of 4 to 6 wt .-% and preferably from 4.5 to 5.5 wt .-%. Non-alcoholic beverage according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a mineral water, table water, alcohol-free beer, whey, soft drink, fruit juice drink, a fruit spritzer, lemonade or effervescent.