WO2020182789A1

WO2020182789A1 - Sugar fortified with polyunsaturated fatty acids

Info

Publication number: WO2020182789A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/056302
Authority: WO
Inventors: John David KRILL; Sean William MC DONNELL; Qiong TANG
Original assignee: Dsm Ip Assets B.V.
Priority date: 2019-03-12
Filing date: 2020-03-10
Publication date: 2020-09-17

Abstract

The present invention relates to sugar-coated coacervate capsules and to a process of manufacturing such capsules. Preferably, the sugar-coated coacervate capsules have a high content of disaccharides and can therefore be used to fortify sugar. Fortification is particularly beneficial if the coacervate capsules encapsulate an oil which comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Description

Sugar fortified with polyunsaturated fatty acids

Technical field

The present invention relates to the obesity epidemic and other related health problems such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Background of the invention

The idea of fortifying sugar is not novel. US 3,607,310 discloses a method of producing fortified sugar for human consumption comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an unfortified dry sugar product,

(ii) providing selected nutrients means of which at least a portion thereof is coated to negate odor and color, providing masking means in addition to said coating for further masking undesirable physical properties such as odor and color of said nutrient means, and (iii) mixing said unfortified sugar product, said nutrient means and said masking means using a minimum of mechanical work to mix said ingredients with minimum breaking of said nutrient coating to thereby produce fortified sugar.

US 201 1/086139 discloses a granular blend comprising a sweetener fortified with vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. The sweetener may comprise white or brown natural sugar, artificial sweetener, or a mixture of the two.

Neither US 3,607,310 nor US 201 1/086139 discloses sugar fortified polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

PUFAs are contained in oil such as fish oil or algae oil. Presently, there is no technical solution how to fortify sugar with an oil.

There is a need to provide sugar fortified with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). There is also a need for a technical method to fortify sugar with an oil, such as an oil comprising PUFAs. Summary of the invention

Fortifying sugar with PUFAs is meaningful as there is a link between sugar, obesity and PUFA consumption. Coelho et al. have found that n-3 PUFA consumption promotes desirable changes on obese intestinal microbiota making it similar to that of normal weight individuals (Coelho et al.,“Dietary fat and gut microbiota: mechanisms involved in obesity control”, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2018 May 31 :1-9).

The problems underlying the present invention are solved by spray-drying a suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules and sugar. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the coacervate capsules encapsulate omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suspension to be spray-dried comprises at least 15 weight- % of trehalose and/or maltose, based on the total weight of the suspension.

If high levels of sugar are involved, spray-drying is notoriously challenging. This is mostly due to the stickiness of sugar. The present invention solves this problem by a process comprising the steps:

a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water,

coacervate capsules and sugar;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein step b) is preferably done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably an air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is most preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

Thus, the present invention also relates to the use of a spray dryer apparatus for manufacturing fortified sugar, wherein said spray dryer apparatus comprises at least one belt. The thus manufactured product is a powder comprising or consisting of sugar-coated coacervate capsules.

Typically, the powder obtained by the process of the invention comprises or consists of particles having a specific surface area of less than 0.2 m²/g or even less than of less than 0.1 m²/g when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas. The powder obtained by the process of the invention has a very minor or even no off-flavor, even it contains fish oil as a source of PUFAs. This is an important feature as fortified sugar with a off-flavor would not be accepted by consumers.

Several sources of sugar are known and can be used in the context of the present invention. However, because obesity is associated with an increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the suspension of the invention comprises preferably trehalose. According to a recently published study,“Trehalose inhibits solute carrier 2A (SLC2A) proteins to induce autophagy and prevent hepatic steatosis” (DeBosch et al., Science Signaling, Vol 9, Issue 416, ra21 , February 2016).

If an obese person consumes the fortified sugar of the invention, he is effectively treated

1. with a sweet product (sugar) that he will most likely love; this results in high patient’s compliance

2. with a product (PUFA) which returns his intestinal microbiota to normal, and

3. with a product (trehalose) which may help to prevent hepatic steatosis. Thus, the present invention also relates to a powder comprising sugar-coated coacervate capsules for use in the treatment of obesity, wherein said powder comprises omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose.

Detailed description of the invention The present invention relates to fortified sugar. Sugar fortification can be done by mixing sugar (e.g. sucrose) with a fortifying compound. However, in case the fortifying compound has a bad smell and/or taste, the obtained mixture will be useless. In the prior art, the problem is solved by coating the fortifying compound with a taste masking agent before mixing the taste-masked compound with sugar. The present invention is based on a different approach: instead of using a taste masking agent, sugar itself is used for coating the compound which has or may develop a bad smell and/or taste.

The present invention relates a method of producing fortified sugar for human consumption comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an unfortified dry sugar product,

(ii) providing the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the present

invention, and

(iii) mixing said unfortified dry sugar product with the sugar-coated

coacervate capsules of the present invention to thereby produce fortified sugar.

The present invention also relates to a powder comprising or consisting of sugar-coated coacervate capsules. Such powder is obtainable by the process of the invention.

The process of the invention is a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules, sugar, optionally at least one antioxidant, optionally at least one taste masking agent and optionally at least one preservative;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a);

c) optionally adding the sugar-coated coacervate capsules

obtained in step b) to unfortified dry sugar.

In the context of the present invention, the optional at least one antioxidant is preferably a water-soluble antioxidant. Preferred antioxidants are ascorbic acid, edible salts of ascorbic acid (such as sodium ascorbate), citric acid, edible salts of citric acid (such as sodium citrate), chelating agents (such as EDTA) and plant extracts (such as green tea extract or rosemary extract). The most preferred antioxidant is sodium ascorbate.

In the context of the present invention, the optional at least one taste masking agent and the optional at least one preservative are preferably edible. When applying the process of the present invention, sugar-coated coacervate capsules are being produced. Thus, the herein process of manufacturing fortified sugar is also a process of manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules.

Based on the number of polymer types used, coacervate capsules may be simple coacervate capsules (i.e. one polymer type only) or complex coacervate capsules (i.e. more than one polymer type).

Preferably, the coacervate capsules of present invention are complex coacervate capsules. Complex coacervation is a phenomenon in which cationic and anionic water-soluble polymers interact in water to form complex coace rvates.

Optimum coacervation depends on the pH. At the isoelectric point, a polymer such as gelatin has an equal number of anionic and cationic charges. To become a cationic polymer, the pH of the system is to be adjusted

accordingly. In complex coacervation, the cationic polymer is typically chosen from animal proteins (such as pig or fish gelatin), albumin, vegetable proteins (derived, for example, from soya, from potato or from wheat), chitosan and its derivatives, synthetic polymers resulting from the combining of amino acids such as polylysine, or else polymers of vegetable origin (such as guar gum and its derivatives). The anionic polymer is typically chosen from natural polymers, such as gum arabic, alginates, carrageenan, cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethylcellulose, starch derivatives such as carboxymethyl starch, or synthetic polymers (such as acrylic, methacrylic, polylactic or polyglycolic polymers, or combinations thereof).

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules, sugar and optionally at least one antioxidant;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules comprise:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine; and - at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium polyphosphate.

In order to increase the strength of the shell of a coacervate capsule, the polymers in the complex coacervate capsules’ shells can be crosslinked. Various crosslinking agents, such as glutaraldehyde, are known. In the context of the present invention, enzymes and in particular transglutaminase is preferably used to crosslink the polymers in the complex coacervate capsules’ shells at least partially.

Thus, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules are complex coacervate capsules, and wherein the shells of said coacervate capsules preferably comprise at least one cationic polymer being preferably gelatine and at least one anionic polymer being preferably sodium polyphosphate, and

wherein said polymers are preferably at least partially crosslinked.

In a preferred embodiment, the coacervate capsules to be sugar-coated comprise at least one agglomeration of primary coacervate capsules, each individual primary coacervate capsules having a primary shell and the at least one agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell. Such coacervate capsules are described in WO 03/086104, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sugar-coated coacervate capsule comprises a multitude of agglomerations of primary coacervate capsules, and wherein said multitude of agglomerations of primary coacervate capsules is sugar-coated. In the context of the present invention, “multitude of” means more than 1 and preferably at least 3 or at least 5.

In Figure 2, a sugar-coated coacervate capsule comprising thirteen agglomerations of primary coacervate capsules is shown, wherein each individual primary coacervate capsule has a primary shell (1), and wherein each of said agglomeration is encapsulated by an outer shell (2), and wherein said multitude of agglomerations of primary coacervate capsules has a sugar coating (3). The primary shell (1) comprises preferably at least one cationic polymer and at least one anionic polymer which are preferably crosslinked. The outer shell (2) comprises preferably also at least one cationic polymer and at least one anionic polymer. However, in contrast to the primary shell (1 ), the polymers of outer shell (2) are preferably not crosslinked. Primary shell (1 ) and outer shell (2) comprise preferably the same type of polymers.

The size of particles can be measured e.g. by laser granulometry (see, for example, Renliang Xu, "Light scattering: A review of particle characterization applications", Particuology 18 (2015)). In the context of the present invention, a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 is preferably used for measuring the size of the coacervate capsules which are present in the herein described suspension. Preferably, the same Malvern Mastersizer 3000 is also used for measuring the size of the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the invention.

The average particle size D (v,0.5) of the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the present invention ranges preferably between 30 pm and 500 pm, more preferably between 50 pm and 300 pm and even more preferably between 50 pm and 200 pm, measured by Laser Diffraction; Malvern Mastersizer 3000, MIE volume distribution.

Coacervation (and in particular complex coacervation) can be used to encapsulate lipophilic compounds. Thus, in the context of the present invention, the term“fortified sugar” refers to sugar that is fortified with at least one lipophilic compound.

Preferably, the coacervate capsules of the invention encapsulate at least one oil which comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Sugar fortified with PUFAs effectively deals with unwanted side effects of excessive sugar consumption such as unfavorable modification of the intestinal microbiota.

Thus, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps: a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules, sugar and optionally at least one antioxidant;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one lipophilic compound, and wherein said at least one lipophilic compound is preferably an oil, and wherein said oil comprises preferably polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said oil is most preferably fish oil and/or algae oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Preferred PUFAs are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These preferred PUFAs return the intestinal microbiota of obese person particularly effective to normal. Therefore, one embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one oil which comprises eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Sugar is the generic name for sweet- tasting, water-soluble carbohydrates. According to the invention, any kind of sugar can be used. Good results are achieved if the suspension of step a) comprises maltodextrin.

a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules, maltodextrin and optionally at least one antioxidant;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one oil which comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids. Maltodextrin is produced from starch by partial hydrolysis. It comprises or consists of glucose units connected in chains of variable length. An example of a short glucose chain is the disaccharide maltose. Preferably, maltodextrin having a dextrose equivalent from 2 to 10 or maltodextrin having a dextrose equivalent from 40 to 60 is used in the context of the present invention. Most preferably, maltodextrin having a dextrose equivalent of 6 (noted as maltodextrin DE6) is used in the context of the present invention. When using maltodextrin DE6, caking can be prevented even under humid conditions. Particularly good results are achieved if maltodextrin DE6 only is used as illustrated by Example 7a. The person skilled in the art is familiar with the concept of dextrose equivalent (DE). By way of example, if one hundred grams of dry solid from a glucose syrup has a DE of 42 it means that the solids act (in reducing terms) as if they were 42 grams of dextrose. Preferably, the DE of maltose is determined as explained in the publication

“Determination of Dextrose Equivalent Value and Number Average Molecular Weight of Maltodextrin by Osmometry” (Rong, Y.; Sillick, M.; Gregson, C.M., Journal of Food Science, January 2009, 74(1 ):C33-C40). In an also preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of two kinds of maltodextrin is used, wherein one kind of maltodextrin has a lower dextrose equivalent than the other kind of maltodextrin.

Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

a) providing a suspension, said suspension comprising water, coacervate capsules, maltodextrin having a dextrose

equivalent from 2 to 10, maltodextrin having a dextrose equivalent from 40 to 60, and optionally at least one antioxidant;

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one oil which comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids.

An also sweet disaccharide is trehalose. Using trehalose for coating coacervate capsules is particularly beneficial because trehalose may help to prevent fatty liver disease. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease may be linked to obesity, which is in some cases linked to excessive sugar consumption.

Therefore, fortified sugar as herein described is an effective manner to provide an important patient group with trehalose and/or PUFAs. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprising trehalose and/or polyunsaturated fatty acids for use in the treatment of obesity.

An also preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one oil which comprises polyunsaturated fatty acids, and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein said at least one disaccharide is preferably trehalose, maltose or a mixture thereof.

An even more preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one oil which comprises eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-% of trehalose, based on the total weight of the suspension. Suspensions having a high sugar content are sticky and therefore difficult to spray-dry. Surprisingly, spray-drying is successful despite of a high sugar content when a spray dryer apparatus as herein described is used.

Therefore, the present invention also relates to the use of a spray dryer apparatus for manufacturing fortified sugar or for manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, wherein said spray dryer apparatus comprises at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably an air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt. Such spray dryer apparatus is commercially available under the tradename Filtermat®.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing fortified sugar or of manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one lipophilic compound, and wherein said at least one lipophilic compound is preferably an oil, and wherein said oil comprises preferably polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said oil is most preferably fish oil comprising omega-3

polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or algae oil comprising omega-3

polyunsaturated fatty acids, and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt. An even more preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

In a preferred embodiment, an air flow is provided in step b), said air flow directing the sprayed particles downwards onto the herein described belt.

Thus, an even more preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, wherein said at least one belt has air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein an air flow is provided in step b) which directs the sprayed particles downwards onto said belt.

The most preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a process of manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a),

wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate eicosapentaenoic acid

(EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and

wherein said coacervate capsules comprise:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine; and

- at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium polyphosphate, and

wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, wherein said at least one belt has air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein an air flow is preferably provided in step b) which directs the sprayed particles downwards onto said belt.

When applying the process of the invention, a preferably flowable powder is obtained. Said powder comprises coacervate capsules which encapsulate preferably PUFAs. In addition, said powder also comprises a significant amount of sugar. Thus, in case the powder as such is consumed, the powder of the invention is fortified sugar. In case the powder is added to unfortified dry sugar, the obtained blend is fortified sugar. The latter of the two approaches is preferred.

When applying the process of the invention, coacervate capsules having a very smooth sugar coating are obtained. The powder of the invention preferably comprises or consists of particles having a specific surface area of less than 0.2 m²/g, preferably of less than 0.1 m²/g and most preferably of less than 0.05 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas. The person skilled in the art is familiar with BET specific surface area analysis by gas physisorption. In such analysis, surface area is calculated based on the BET model (static volumetric method) normalized by the sample mass. As the amount of gas adsorbed onto the sample surface is critical to the analysis, moisture and other impurities must be removed from the sample surface prior to analysis (degassing).

The sugar-coated coacervate capsules as herein described have a specific surface area of preferably less than 0.2 m²/g, more preferably of less than 0.1 m²/g and most preferably of less than 0.05 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas. Such

sugar-coated coacervate capsule is shown in Figure 1.

Coacervate capsules as used in the context of the invention are preferably complex coacervate capsules, wherein the shells of said coacervate capsules preferably comprise at least one cationic polymer and at least one anionic polymer, and wherein said polymers are preferably at least partially

crosslinked. In the context of the present invention, any suitable cationic polymer, anionic polymer and crosslinker can be used. Preferred cationic polymer are gelatine, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate and canola protein. Preferred anionic polymer are sodium polyphosphate and gum arabic. Preferred crosslinkers are non-toxic crosslinker, in particular enzymes such as transglutaminase.

Thus, the powder of the invention preferably comprises or consists of sugar-coated coacervate capsules. Preferably, said coacervate capsules are complex coacervate capsules, wherein the shell of said coacervate capsules preferably comprise at least one cationic polymer and at least one anionic polymer, and wherein said polymers are preferably at least partially

crosslinked. Preferably, the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the invention have a specific surface area of less than 0.1 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas, and comprise:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine;

- at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium

polyphosphate;

- a mixture of monosaccharides and preferably water-soluble oligosaccharides;

- oil, said oil being preferably fish oil and/or algae oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; and

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium

ascorbate.

More preferably, the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the invention have a specific surface area of less than 0.1 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas, and comprise:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine;

- at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium

polyphosphate;

- a mixture of monosaccharides and preferably water-soluble oligosaccharides;

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium ascorbate,

wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprises 5-90 weight-%, preferably 5-70 weight-%, more preferably 5-60 weight-% and most preferably 5-50 weight-% of at least one disaccharide, based on the total weight of the sugar-coated coacervate capsules, and wherein said at least one

disaccharide is preferably trehalose, maltose or a mixture thereof.

Also preferably, the sugar-coated coacervate capsule of the invention comprises:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine; - at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium

polyphosphate;

- a mixture of monosaccharides and preferably water-soluble

oligosaccharides;

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium

ascorbate

wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsule has a specific surface area of less than 0.2 m²/g, preferably of less than 0.1 m²/g and most preferably of less than 0.05 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas.

Also preferably, the sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the invention comprise:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine;

- at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium

polyphosphate;

- a mixture of monosaccharides and preferably water-soluble

oligosaccharides;

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium

ascorbate

wherein each of said sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprises at least one agglomeration of primary coacervate capsules, each individual primary coacervate capsules having a primary shell and the at least one

agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell, and/or

wherein the average particle size D (v,0.5) size of said sugar-coated coacervate capsules ranges preferably between 30 pm and 500 pm, more preferably between 50 pm and 300pm and even more preferably between 50 pm and 200 pm, measured by Laser Diffraction; Malvern Mastersizer 3000, MIE volume distribution. Some of the negative effects of excessive sugar consumption can be prevented, treated or at least partially alleviated if polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose are consumed on a regular basis. Thereby, regular consumption can be achieved by fortifying a regularly consumed product such as sugar.

Thus, the present invention also relates to the treatment of an obese patient, wherein sugar-coated coacervate capsules of the invention are provided to said obese patient. Thereby, the obese patient replaces his sugar

consumption at least partially with the fortified sugar of the present invention. A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to powder comprising sugar-coated coacervate capsules for use in the treatment of obesity, wherein said powder comprises omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose.

An also preferred embodiment of the invention relates to sugar-coated coacervate capsules as herein described for use in the treatment of an obese person, wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprises omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose.

Figures

FIGURE 1 shows a SEM picture of a sugar-coated coacervate capsule according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. A Hitachi S-4700 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with transmitted electron detector was used for taking the picture. The scale bar in Figure 1 shows the magnification. Such sugar-coated coacervate capsules can be added to unfortified dry sugar. The thus obtained blend is referred to as fortified sugar. Alternatively, sugar-coated coacervate capsules as such can be consumed (i.e. without prior bending with unfortified dry sugar).

The sugar-coated coacervate capsule shown in Figure 1 has a structure similar as depicted in FIGURE 2. Each of the primary coacervate capsules shown in Figure 2 comprises a lipophilic core (0) surrounded by a primary shell (1 ). Said primary shells (1 ) comprise cationic and anionic polymers which are preferably crosslinked. Each agglomeration of primary coacervate capsules is then surrounded by a outer shell (2). The outer shell (2) is preferably made of the same polymers as the primary shells (1) but the polymers are preferably not crosslinked. The third shell (3) is the sugar coating. Due to the agglomerations of primary coacervate capsules within the sugar-coated coacervate capsule, the surface of the particle shown in Figure 1 and depicted in Figure 2 looks like the surface of a raspberry or of a blackberry. Nonetheless, due to the sugar coating, the BET surface of the particles shown in Figure 1 and depicted in Figure 2 is very small.

Examples

Example 1 (FM 4-1)

Step a)

A stock solution of gelatine (solution A) was prepared by mixing 4500 g of warm deionised water and 550 g of gelatine (bovine gelatin, 270 Bloom, supplied by Gelita) and stirring in a vessel until it was completely dissolved; the solution was maintained at 45°C. 80 g of sodium ascorbate dry powder (DSM® Nutritional Products) was added to the vessel and completely dissolved. A stock solution of sodium polyphosphate (solution B) was prepared by mixing 500 g of room temperature deionised water and 55 g sodium polyphosphate (Vitrafos, Innophos) in a beaker until it was completely dissolved.

Solution B was then added to solution A (yielding solution C).

1000 g of PUFA oil (available under the tradename Meg-3™ at DSM®

Nutritional Products) was added to solution C and mixed via a high shear mixer (Silverson L4RT-A, model L4R) at >7000 rpm to produce oil droplets being < 2 pm in average diameter. 10 kg of deionised water was added to the shear mixed solution; the coacervation process was then initiated by adjusting the pH to ~4.5 with a 20% w/w aqueous phosphoric acid solution until a final particle size of 30-50 pm was obtained. In this manner, a slurry with a solid concentration of 10 weight-%, based on the total weight of the slurry, was obtained.

The coacervate slurry was cooled to 6°C, and then 30 g transglutaminase enzyme (Activa®, Ajinomoto Food Ingredients) was added to induce crosslinking of gelatin. Coacervate slurry pH was adjusted to 6.0 with a 20% sodium hydroxide solution, and the slurry temperature was adjusted to 25°C and held for 1 1 hours to ensure complete crosslinking of gelatin. The slurry was subsequently centrifuged, and water was removed to achieve a solid concentration of 15 weight-%, based on the total weight of the slurry. Said slurry contains gelatin-based microencapsulated oil droplet clusters, hereinafter referred to as“Coacervate Solids”.

1 180 g of trehalose powder (supplied by Hayashibara®) and 510 g of GLUCIDEX® Maltodextrin 2 (maltodextrin DE2 powder, supplied by

Roquette®) were then added to the coacervate slurry and stirred until the sugar (i.e. trehalose powder and maltodextrin powder) are completely dissolved.

Step b)

To obtain a flowable dry powder, this liquid slurry was then sprayed via a Filtermat® spray drier (GEA) at the following parameters: 0.032” nozzle diameter (number 67, Spray Systems Co.), 400 psi pump speed, 70-80°C outlet temperature (measured right before the machine’s cyclone).

Example 2 (FM 4-2)

Example 1 was repeated. In example 2, however, maltodextrin DE2 was replaced by maltodextrin DE47. Maltodextrins are classified by DE (dextrose equivalent). The higher the DE value, the shorter the glucose chains and the higher the sweetness.

Example 3 (FM 4-3)

Example 1 was repeated. In example 3, however, Maltodextrin DE2 was replaced with 1 :1 mixture of DE2 and DE47. The composition of powders obtained in Example 1-3 is shown in below TABLE 1. Indicated are weight-%, based on the total weight of the dried powder:

Table 1

Comparative example 4 (FM 4-8)

Example 1 was repeated. In example 4, however, no sugar was added before spray-drying. Thus, the slurry containing“Coacervate Solids” was spray dried without having added maltodextrin, trehalose or any other kind of sugar. Thus, the obtained comparative powder is not fortified sugar.

The composition of powders obtained in comparative Example 4 is shown in below TABLE 2. Indicated are weight-% based on the total weight of the dried powder:

Table 2 Example 5 (sensory testing)

In Example 5, a sensory test was done. The participants of the sensory test were trained and had previously attended at least 50 sensory panels. The participants were asked to rate the“painty” aroma (i.e. the smell/taste of fresh paint) intensity on a scale of 1 to 15. A score of 15 means a very strong, unpleasant and therefor unacceptable aroma.

After two months storage time, the powder of Example 3 scored 0.3 whereas the powder of comparative Example 4 scored 3.8.

A score of 3.8 is unacceptable. Thus, if the product of comparative Example 4 (i.e. uncoated“Coacervate Solids”) was mixed with unfortified dry sugar to provide fortified sugar, such mixture could not be commercialized as the consumer would immediately notify the unpleasant painty aroma. Most likely, the consumer would discharge the seemingly spoilt product.

A score below 2 means that food can be successfully sweetened with the fortified sugar. Thereby, the powder of the invention makes it possible that the consumer can benefit from PUFA’s and trehalose without being bothered by any off-flavor.

The result of the sensory testing is shown in below TABLE 3:

Example Time Point Painty

Example 1 initial

1.2

2 months 1 .0

Example 2 initial

1.2

2 months 0.6

Example 3 initial

1.3

2 months 0.3

comparative Example 4 initial

1.2

2 months 3.8

Table 3 Example 6 (BET testing)

The BET specific surface area of the particles of the powders obtained in example 3 and comparative example 4, respectively, was measured on a Micromeritics TriStar II 3020 (static pressure gas adsorption/Volumetric). Below TABLE 4 shows the results:

¹⁾ surface area calculated based on the BET model normalized by the

sample mass

Table 4

The powder of Example 3 has a sugar content of 50 weight-%, based on the total weight of the dry powder. The powder consists of sugar-coated coacervate capsules. Due to the sugar-coating, the BET surface is particularly low.

The powder of comparative Example 4 consists of uncoated coacervate capsules. Due to the lack of the sugar-coating, the BET surface is higher, which probably explains the more pronounced painty off-flavor.

Example 1

In Example 7, different DE grades of maltodextrin were used to prepare powders as described in Examples 1 to 4. The thus prepared powders were stored in open jars at 25°C /60% RH. After two weeks storage time, caking was observed when using trehalose in combination with maltodextrin DE1 , DE2, DE47 or with mixtures of these maltodextrin grades. The maltodextrin grade that performed well in this test was maltodextrin DE6.

Table 5

When striving for a long term shelf storage at low humidity condition, a mixture of sucrose maltodextrin DE6 is preferred, as illustrated by the composition of Example 7b.

In dry blend beverages which are used in hot and humid climate, the composition of Example 7a is preferred. After 2 months storage at 40°C and 75% relative humidity, the powder of Example 7a did not show any caking or clumping. Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a powder that comprises or consists of sugar-coated coacervate capsules, wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprise 5-90 weight-%, preferably 5-70 weight-%, more preferably 5-60 weight-% and most preferably 5-50 weight-% of maltodextrin DE6, based on the total weight of the sugar- coated coacervate capsules. Further preferred embodiments being resistant to caking are listed below:

1. Process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a).

2. Process according to embodiment 1 , wherein said coacervate capsules encapsulate at least one lipophilic compound, and wherein said at least one lipophilic compound is preferably an oil, and wherein said oil comprises preferably polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said oil is most preferably fish oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or algae oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. 3. Process according to embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight-% and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of sugar, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein said sugar is preferably maltodextrin, and wherein said sugar is more preferably maltodextrin DE6.

4. Process according to any one of embodiment 1 to 3, wherein each of the coacervate capsules comprises at least one agglomeration of primary coacervate capsules, each individual primary coacervate capsules having a primary shell and the at least one agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell.

5. Process according to any one of embodiment 1 to 4, wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

6. Powder comprising sugar and coacervate capsules, wherein said

powder is obtained by the process according to any one the preceding embodiments.

7. Powder according to embodiment 6, wherein said powder comprises or consists sugar-coated coacervate capsules. 8. Powder according to embodiment 6 or 7, wherein said powder comprises or consists of particles having a specific surface area of less than 0.2 m²/g, preferably of less than 0.1 m²/g and most preferably of less than 0.05 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas

physisorption using krypton gas. 9. Powder according to any one of embodiment 6 to 8, wherein said powder comprises:

- at least one cationic polymer, being preferably gelatine, soy protein isolate, pea protein isolate or canola protein;

- at least one anionic polymer, being preferably sodium polyphosphate or gum arabic;

- maltodextrin DE6;

- oil, said oil being preferably fish oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or algae oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; and

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium ascorbate

10. Powder according to any one of embodiment 6 to 9, wherein said

powder comprises 5-90 weight-%, preferably 5-70 weight-%, more preferably 5-60 weight-% and most preferably 5-50 weight-% of sugar, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein said sugar is maltodextrin and wherein said maltodextrin is preferably maltodextrin DE6.

1 1. Use of a spray dryer apparatus for manufacturing sugar-coated

coacervate capsules, wherein said spray dryer apparatus comprises at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably an air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

12. Use according to embodiment 1 1 , wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules comprise omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules preferably comprise

eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

13. Use according to embodiment 1 1 or 12, wherein the spray dryer

apparatus is used for manufacturing fortified sugar, and/or wherein the spray dryer apparatus is used for manufacturing the powder according to any one of embodiments 6 to 10. Powder comprising or consisting of sugar-coated coacervate capsules for use in the treatment of obesity, wherein said powder comprises omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose. Powder according to embodiment 14, wherein said powder is the powder according to any one of embodiments 6 to 10.

Claims

1. Process of manufacturing fortified sugar, said process comprising the steps:

b) spray-drying the suspension provided in step a).

2. Process according to claim 1 , wherein said coacervate capsules

encapsulate at least one lipophilic compound, and wherein said at least one lipophilic compound is preferably an oil, and wherein said oil comprises preferably polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said oil is most preferably fish oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or algae oil comprising omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suspension of step a) comprises at least 5 weight-%, preferably at least 10 weight- % and most preferably at least 15 weight-% of sugar, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein said sugar is preferably trehalose, maltose, maltodextrin or a mixture thereof.

4. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the

coacervate capsules comprises at least one agglomeration of primary coacervate capsules, each individual primary coacervate capsules having a primary shell and the at least one agglomeration being encapsulated by an outer shell.

5. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein step b) is done by spraying the suspension provided in step a) onto at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

6. Powder comprising sugar and coacervate capsules, wherein said powder is obtained by the process according to any one the preceding claims.

7. Powder according to claim 6, wherein said powder comprises or consists sugar-coated coacervate capsules.

8. Powder according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said powder comprises or consists of particles having a specific surface area of less than 0.2 m²/g, preferably of less than 0.1 m²/g and most preferably of less than 0.05 m²/g, when measuring BET specific surface area by gas physisorption using krypton gas.

9. Powder according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein said powder comprises:

- a mixture of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides;

- optionally at least one antioxidant, being preferably sodium ascorbate

10. Powder according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein said powder comprises 5-90 weight-%, preferably 5-70 weight-%, more preferably 5- 60 weight-% and most preferably 5-50 weight-% of sugar, based on the total weight of the suspension, and wherein said sugar is preferably trehalose, maltose, maltodextrin or a mixture thereof.

1 1. Use of a spray dryer apparatus for manufacturing sugar-coated coacervate capsules, wherein said spray dryer apparatus comprises at least one belt, and wherein said at least one belt has preferably an air permeability which enables air to pass through the belt, and wherein said at least one belt is more preferably a wire mesh belt or a wire cloth belt.

12. Use according to claim 1 1 , wherein said sugar-coated coacervate

capsules comprise omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, and wherein said sugar-coated coacervate capsules preferably comprise

eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

13. Use according to claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the spray dryer apparatus is used for manufacturing fortified sugar, and/or wherein the spray dryer apparatus is used for manufacturing the powder according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

14. Powder comprising or consisting of sugar-coated coacervate capsules for use in the treatment of obesity, wherein said powder comprises omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or trehalose.

15. Powder according to claim 14, wherein said powder is the powder

according to any one of claims 6 to 10.