WO2021213994A1

WO2021213994A1 - Dietary powder for use in beverage-dispensing machines

Info

Publication number: WO2021213994A1
Application number: PCT/EP2021/060127
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan CONNOLLY; Stefanie KIRCHEN; Angela Patricia LEON SEGURA
Original assignee: Dsm Ip Assets B.V.
Priority date: 2020-04-22
Filing date: 2021-04-19
Publication date: 2021-10-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dietary powder that comprises or consists of flowable granules. The granules comprise inulin and multiple micronutrients or minerals. The preferred inulin is amorphous inulin. The dietary powder is preferably used in beverage-dispensing machines.

Description

Dietary powder for use in beverage-dispensing machines

Technical field The present invention relates to powder suitable for delivering customized quantities of dietary and nutraceutical supplements. It also relates to metering powdered ingredients in beverage-dispensing machines.

Background of the invention Dietary powders contain dietary ingredients. Vitamins and minerals are examples of dietary ingredients. US 2013/0330309 discloses a dry powder that forms a nutraceutical beverage when mixed with water. WO 2019/023338 discloses a beverage delivery apparatus with a plurality of storage compartments. WO 2019/222085 discloses a dispensing apparatus for delivering a beverage with customized quantities of dietary and nutraceutical supplements. The apparatus has a plurality of storage compartments. Each of the storage compartments is configured to contain at least one canister that contains dietary and nutraceutical supplements.

Storage compartments of beverage-dispensing machines contain a powder. Because the powder is used little-by-little, the powder must be storage stable for a certain time at given storage conditions. The relevant storage conditions depend on the size of the storage compartment, on the number of beverages delivered per day and on the compartment’s accessibility for oxygen and air moisture. Different kinds of storage compartments are known. In some beverage delivery apparatus, storage compartments are sealed, i.e. air-tight. In other beverage delivery apparatus, the powder is constantly exposed to air and thus, to oxygen and humidity. Because many dietary ingredients are oxygen sensitive, this is relevant when manufacturing dietary powders. When providing a dietary powder for beverage-dispensing machines, humidity is a particular challenge as water-solubility and caking-resistance are conflicting requirements: water-soluble powders tend to form clumps (“caking”) when exposed to humidity whereas caking-resistant powders are often not water-soluble and sometimes not even water-dispersible.

If air-tight storage is available, hygroscopic powders are preferred because they tend to have better water-solubility: the higher the solubility, the easier it is to provide a pleasant beverage. Unfortunately, due to cost reasons, many beverage-dispensing machines do not have air-tight storage compartments. Also, for ecologically reasons, some beverage companies deliberately refrain from air-tight capsules that are difficult to recycle.

Pre-defined amounts of a dietary powder are dispensed by the beverage-dispensing apparatus into a glass filled with water. For delivering customized quantities, the dietary powder contained in the storage compartments must be flowable.

Some beverage delivery apparatus provide several hundreds customized beverages per day. Even under heavy usage, the beverage delivery apparatus must stay clean to avoid microbial contamination. Therefore, the dietary powder should be as dust-free as possible. However, even if powder is dust-free at the outset, dust might be generated during the dispensing process due to abrasion (i.e. due to wearing away by friction). This can be avoided by provision of a powder having low friability.

Thus, there is a need for a dietary powder that is suitable to be used in beverage-dispensing machines. The powder should be storage-stable even if it comprises a mixture of sensitive micronutrients and/or minerals. It should be flowable, should be essentially dust-free, should be water-dispersible or water-soluble and/or should have low friability and attrition. Depending on the architecture of the beverage-dispensing machine, the powder must also be resistant to caking when exposed to air moisture. Furthermore, there is a need for a method for manufacturing a dietary powder that can be used in beverage- dispensing machines. The method should be suitable for implementation at industrial scale and should be cost effective.

Summary of the invention The composition of the invention comprises at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral. In a preferred embodiment, the composition of the present invention is a dietary powder. Such dietary powder is essentially dust-free, has low friability and/or attrition, is storage stable, is flowable, is resistant to caking and/or is water-dispersible. Dosing precision is challenging whenever low amounts need to be delivered. This applies to micronutrients such as vitamins. Overdosing by poor metering is to be avoided. Poorflowability has a negative impact on dosing precision.

According to the present invention, flowability is increased by increasing the particle size. This is preferably done by Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). Very fine powders (such as spray-dried powders) are often not flowable and require flow agents such as silicon dioxide. The addition of flow agents is often unwanted in nutritional beverages.

The problems underlying the present invention are solved by granules comprising inulin. In the context of the present invention, inulin exhibits triple functionalities:

• inulin acts as a filler; the addition of a filler increases particle size and thus, improves dosing precision of micronutrients

• inulin also functions as a binder; in most cases, there is no need for adding an additional binder for forming granules · inulin also acts as nutrient; inulin is recognised as a dietary fibre

Different grades of inulin are commercially available. Amorphous inulin does not give well-resolved x-ray diffraction patterns whereas crystalline or semi-crystalline inulin shows at least some distinctive peaks at specific 2Q values in a X-ray diffractogram. Amorphous inulins have higher densities (typically around 1.4 g/mL) than semi-crystalline and crystalline inulins (less than 1 .3 g/mL).

Granules comprising amorphous inulin are particularly easy to manufacture and have low attrition. The method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing granules, comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, wherein said inulin is preferably amorphous inulin.

In step a) of the method of the present invention, granules are formed. When granulating a pre-mix comprising amorphous inulin and dietary ingredients, granules are obtained that are particularly suitable for use in beverage-dispensing machines.

The composition of the present invention comprises or consists of granules that comprise preferably amorphous inulin. The composition of the invention is preferably flowable and thus, metering in an apparatus for providing beverages is particularly easy.

Flowability of granules may be impacted by humidity. This is referred to as caking. One embodiment of the invention relates to caking-resistant granules. Caking-resistant granules are less soluble in water. Beverages can nevertheless be prepared when using a mechanical mixing device.

Preferably, the composition of the present invention comprises multiple micronutrients and/or minerals. To prevent unwanted interactions, three different kinds of granules are preferably manufactured:

• granules comprising inulin, fat-soluble micronutrients and optionally at least one calcium salt

• granules comprising inulin, water-soluble micronutrients and optionally at least one calcium salt

• granules comprising inulin and minerals

The present invention also relates to a flowable composition comprising at least 80 weight-% granules of the invention, based on the total weight of the flowable composition. It further relates to the use of the flowable composition for preparing a beverage. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for providing beverages, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one storage compartment or storage container, and wherein said storage compartment or storage container comprises the flowable composition of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The method of the present invention is a wet granulation process using water (i.e. no organic solvent). Wet granulation is a process to agglomerate small particles into larger structures. The granules of the present invention are preferably manufactured by Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). Textbooks recommend spraying a binder solution (e.g. mixture of water and binder) onto a powder mass that is in state of fluidization. Preferably, this does not apply to the present invention. When following the procedure suggested in textbooks, granules of less good quality are obtained. It is therefore not recommended to spray a mixture of water and inulin onto a pre-mix containing vitamins, minerals or other micronutrients. Preferably, water only is sprayed onto a pre-mix that comprises inulin and, in addition, at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral.

In one embodiment, the granules of the invention comprise i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and ii) at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral, and optionally rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D or a mixture thereof, wherein said inulin is preferably amorphous inulin.

Definitions

Spray-dried particles are very fine. Therefore, powders consisting essentially of spray-dried particles often have poor flowability. Spray-dried particles are not “granules” according to the present invention. “Micronutrients” are chemical elements or substances that are required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms such as the human body.

Cocoa powder is not a micronutrient. The composition of the present invention comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% cocoa powder, based on the total weight of the composition. Similarly, the granules of the present invention comprise preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% cocoa powder, based on the total weight of the granules. Tea and tea extracts are not micronutrients either. The composition of the present invention comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% tea and/or tea extracts, based on the total weight of the composition. Similarly, the granules of the present invention comprise preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% tea and/or tea extracts, based on the total weight of the granules. Salacia extract is not a micronutrient either. The composition of the present invention comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% Salacia extract, based on the total weight of the composition. Similarly, the granules of the present invention comprise preferably less than 1 weight-%, more preferably less than 0.5 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% -% Salacia extract, based on the total weight of the granules.

In the context of the present invention, micronutrients are preferably vitamins. Preferably, the term “vitamin” includes provitamins (such a beta-carotene). In some embodiments, the term vitamin also includes derivatives of vitamins.

The term “fat-soluble vitamin” refers preferably to the group consisting of vitamin A (preferably vitamin A acetate and/or vitamin A palmitate), beta-carotene, vitamin D, vitamin E (preferably tocopherol acetate) and vitamin K. More preferably, the term “fat-soluble vitamin” refers to the group consisting of beta-carotene, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, metabolites of vitamin D3, vitamin E acetate, vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The preferred vitamin D is vitamin D2. Inulin granules comprising vitamin D2 are suitable for vegetarians because plants produce vitamin D2. Beta-carotene is more stable than vitamin A. The human body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A. Therefore, beta-carotene is the preferred source of vitamin A. The term “water-soluble vitamin” refers preferably to the group consisting of vitamin B1 (preferably thiamine), vitamin B2 (preferably riboflavin), vitamin B3 (preferably niacin and/or niacinamide), choline salts (sometimes incorrectly referred to as vitamin B4), vitamin B5 (preferably pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (preferably pyridoxine pyridoxamine and/or pyridoxal), vitamin B7 (preferably biotin), inositol (sometimes incorrectly referred to as vitamin B8), vitamin B9 (preferably folic acid and/or folinic acid), metafolin (preferably a calcium salt of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate acid), vitamin B12 (preferably cyanocobalamin hydroxycobalamin and/or methylcobalamin) and vitamin C (preferably ascorbic acid). More preferably, the term “water-soluble vitamin” refers to the group consisting of thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, D-calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine HCI, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid and biotin.

In the context of the present invention, “minerals” are edible salts that are required for the normal growth and development of living organisms such as the human body. The term “mineral” refers preferably to the group consisting of edible calcium salts, edible copper salts, edible iron salts, edible phosphate salts, edible manganese salts, edible iodine salts, iodine-enriched yeast and edible zinc salts. More preferably, the term “mineral” refers to the group consisting of calcium lactate, magnesium oxide, monopotassium phosphate, zinc gluconate, potassium iodide, iodine-enriched yeast, copper gluconate, ferric pyrophosphate and manganese sulfate. The minerals of the present invention are preferably water-soluble salts or water-dispersible salts. Water-insoluble salts such as magnesium oxide are not preferred. If water-insoluble salts are nevertheless added, salts with a small particles size are preferred. For preparing beverages, water-insoluble salts having a large particles size are not preferred. The minerals of the present invention are preferably edible salts having a particle size D[4,3] of preferably less than 500 pm, more preferably less than 300 pm and most preferably less than 250 pm when determined using an Mastersizer 2000 laser diffractometer using a dry sampling system (Sirocco 2000) from Malvern Instruments.

In the context of the present invention, “room temperature” is preferably from 20°C to 30°C and is more preferably 25°C.

In the context of the present invention, “density” refers preferably to the true density, measured with a gas pycnometer.

Granules of the invention

The granules of the present invention comprise from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% of the herein disclosed inulin with the preferences as herein given, based on the total weight of the granules. The granules have preferably a sieve diameter in the range from about 0.05 mm to about 8 mm, which means that they, or at least 50% of the particles, would normally pass through a sieve having an aperture or opening size of about 8 mm, but not through a sieve having an aperture or opening size of about 0.05 mm or less. Optionally, the granules of the invention may also have a sieve diameter in the range from about 0.1 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.15 mm to about 2.5 mm, or from about 0.15 mm to about 0.60 mm, such as about 0.25 ± 0.20 mm, about 0.5 ± 0.25 mm, about 1 .0 ± 0.25 mm, about 1 .5 ± 0.25 mm, or about 2.0 ± 0.25 mm, respectively. In some embodiments, the granules of the invention may even be larger, having a sieve diameter in the range from about 0.1 mm to about 10 mm, which means that they, or at least 50% of the particles, would normally pass through a sieve having an aperture or opening size of about 10 mm, but not through a sieve having an aperture or opening size of about 0.1 mm or less. Typically, the granules of the invention have approximately spherical or cuboidal shape (i.e. an aspect ratio of longest space diagonal divided by shortest space diagonal anywhere in the range of about 1 to 2.5); such granules have preferably a mass median sieve diameter in the range from 0.01 mm to 8 mm. In a not preferred embodiment, the granules of the invention are more elongated or platelet like shape (i.e. aspect ratios larger than 2.5); such not preferred granules may in some cases exceed the 8 mm and may have a mass median sieve diameter in the range from 0.01 mm up to 10 mm.

Granules comprising inulin and having the above described sieve diameters can be obtained by serval granulation methods. The preferred method of the present invention is fluidized bed granulation. If fluidized bed granulation is used, the granules comprise preferably amorphous inulin.

The granules of the invention are preferably suitable for preparing beverages. Therefore, granules that are not suitable for human consumption are typically excluded. Granules that are neither soluble nor dispersible in water are preferably excluded, too. The granules of the invention comprise preferably less 10 weight-%, more preferably less than 5 weight-%, even more preferably less than 1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% polymers that are not soluble in water, based on the total weight of the granules. The granules of the invention comprise preferably less 10 weight-%, more preferably less than 5 weight-%, even more preferably less than 1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% polymers that control the release of active agents, based on the total weight of the granules. The granules of the invention comprise preferably less 10 weight-%, more preferably less than 5 weight-%, even more preferably less than 1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% lipids, fats and/or esterified fatty acids, based on the total weight of the granules. The granules of the invention are preferably uncoated. The granules of the invention comprise preferably less 10 weight-%, more preferably less than 5 weight-%, even more preferably less than 1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.1 weight-% of crosslinked acrylic acid-based polymers.

Preferably, the granules of the invention are water-soluble or water-dispersible. For measuring water dispersibility, ISO 17758| IDF 087 (International Standards Organisation 2014) is preferably used. This standard involves stirring a specific quantity of powder into water at 25°C for 20s and then passing it through a 150 pm mesh to retain any un-dispersed solids. The granules of the present invention have a dispersibility measured according to ISO/TS 17758:2014 [IDF 87:2014] in the range of preferably 5 to 360 seconds, more preferably 5 to 200 seconds, even more preferably 5 to 200 seconds and most preferably 5 to 30 seconds. In one embodiment, the granules of the invention comprise i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and ii) optionally at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral, wherein said granules have a dispersibility measured according to ISO/TS 17758:2014 [IDF 87:2014] in the range of preferably 5 to 360 seconds, more preferably 5 to 200 seconds, even more preferably 5 to 200 seconds and most preferably 5 to 30 seconds.

Use of inulin for manufacturing granules of the invention Inulin naturally occurs in chicory. The literature describes inulin as a mixture of oligo- and polysaccharides which are composed of fructose units linked by a beta-1 ,2-bond, mainly with an end-standing glucose unit. Preferably, the degree of polymerization of the inulin of the innovation ranges preferably between 3 and 60. The degree of polymerization is preferably measured as disclosed in Li, W., Zhang, J., Yu, C., Li, Q., Dong, F., Wang, G., Gu, G., & Guo, Z. (2015). Extraction, degree of polymerization determination and prebiotic effect evaluation of inulin from Jerusalem artichoke. Carbohydrate Polymers, 121, 315-319.

The use of inulin for manufacturing a dietary powder has multiple advantages: inulin is a prebiotic dietary fibre, has a neutral odour and is water-soluble. The latter is particularly important when manufacturing water-soluble or water-dispersible dietary powders. Depending on the grade, inulin has a certain sweetness, too.

Surprisingly, inulin can be used as a binder when doing aqueous Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). Any kind of inulin can be used when doing FBG. The use of amorphous inulin, however, is preferred. Inulin as used in the context of the present invention is preferably a powder. Such powders are commercially available under tradename Orafti® at BENEO GmbH (Germany). Powders can be analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). In the context of the present invention, X-ray diffractometry is used to distinguish amorphous inulin from crystalline inulin. XRD curves produced of amorphous inulin do not have any sharp diffraction peaks. Crystalline and semi-crystalline inulin have at least one sharp diffraction peak. Surprisingly, commercially available amorphous inulin has a higher density (more than 1.3 g/ml_) than commercially available crystalline inulin. Thereby, density is preferably measured using a Micromeritics AccuPyc II 1340 helium pycnometer (Unterschleissheim, 85716 Germany), giving the true density. In the context of the present invention, the use of crystalline inulin for manufacturing granules by FBG is less preferred because the thus obtained granules are less soluble in water. Preferred is the use of amorphous inulin. Various kinds of amorphous inulin are commercially available. For manufacturing caking-resistant granules, amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C is preferred. It is believed that the caking-resistance is due the uniqueness of the sorption isotherm of amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C (cf. Figure 3). When using a mechanical mixing-device, the thus obtained granules are suitable for preparing beverages. A beverage-dispensing machine comprising a mechanical mixing-device is commercially available under https://gomixfit.com/

The glass transition temperature is preferably determined by thermal analysis of an inulin sample using e.g. a TA Instruments Discovery DSC as follows: approximately 5 mg to 7 mg of a sample are accurately weighted into an aluminum sample pan with aluminum lids. The thermogram of the sample is then obtained by cooling the sample down to -50°C during 5 minutes, followed by heating at a rate of 10°C/min up to 70°C. After 5 minutes, the same cycle is repeated up to 200°C. Nitrogen can be used for cooling.

Amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature lower than 85°C is also suitable for manufacturing granules by FBG. Preferably, such amorphous inulin has a water-solubility lower than 200 g/L. Amorphous inulin having a water-solubility higher than 200 g/L is not preferred because such highly soluble amorphous inulin tends to trigger clumps during FBG. Unless indicated differently, water-solubility of amorphous inulin is measured at a temperature of 25°C.

Granules that comprise amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature lower than 85°C and having a water-solubility lower than 200 g/L are well suited for preparing beverages because such granules are well water-dispersible. The use a mechanical mixing-device might not be needed. Amorphous inulin may contain some moisture. Moisture content is preferably measured with a HR73 Halogen Moisture Analyzer (Mettler Toledo, Leicester, UK). To do so, 5 g of sample is dried at 1050 °C and measured every 2 minutes until the weight of sample remained constant. Moisture content of the sample before drying is then calculated. In the context of the present invention, moisture content of amorphous inulin before drying is indicated in weight-%, based on the total weight of the amorphous inulin.

For preparing highly water-dispersible or water-soluble granules by FBG, amorphous inulin having a moisture content of 3.9 weight-% or less, based on the total weight of the amorphous inulin, is preferably used. In case of a higher moisture content, the binding properties of the amorphous inulin is less pronounced. This can be compensated by adding, in addition to inulin, pectin or any another suitable binder. If pectin is used, the granules of the present invent comprise preferably from 0.1 weight-% to 1.9 weight-% pectin, based on the total weight of the granules. No binder other than inulin needs to be added for FBG when using amorphous inulin that has a glass transition temperature of 85°C or less and that has a moisture content of 3.9 weight-% or less, based on the total weight of the amorphous inulin. Because no binder other than inulin needs to be added, manufacturing of such granules is particularly easy and cost effective. Such amorphous inulin can be easily dispersed in water and thus, the obtained granules are suitable for preparing beverages. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of granules for preparing a beverage, wherein said granules comprise from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% of preferably amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said granules further comprise at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral. An alternative embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of preparing a beverage, wherein granules comprising from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% of preferably amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the based on the total weight of the granules, are dissolved in an aqueous media, and wherein said granules further comprise at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral.

For preparing granules that also comprise a calcium salt, the use of amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C is preferred. The thus obtained granules are suitable for preparing beverages and have particularly low attrition. Thus, when used in beverage-dispensing machines, the generation of dust is prevented or at least reduced. Method of manufacturing the granules of the invention

The preferred method of manufacturing the granules of the present invention is Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). In the context of the present invention, the fluidized bed of particles is referred to as “pre-mix” because it is a mixture of different kind of particles. The pre-mix of the present invention comprises preferably at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral. Optionally, the pre-mix of the present invention also comprises one or more steviol glycosides.

FBG can be done by spraying a liquid from above, from the side or from below onto a fluidized bed of particles. According to the present invention, water is preferably sprayed from the side or from below onto the pre-mix. Surprisingly, spraying from the side or from below (i.e. from the bottom) increases the yield. Spraying water from above (i.e. from the top) is not preferred as the yield is lower. In the prior art, a mixture of water and at least one binder is often sprayed onto a fluidized bed of particles. Surprisingly, when manufacturing the granules of the present invention, better results are achieved when water only (i.e. without any binder) is sprayed onto the pre-mix. In a less preferred embodiment of the invention, water comprising less than 10 weight-%, preferably less than 5 weight-% and even more preferably less than 2 weight-% binder, based on the total weight of the water, is sprayed onto the pre-mix of the invention.

Preferably, the pre-mix of the invention comprises inulin powder or inulin granules. Preferably, said inulin is amorphous and/or has a density of at least 1.3 g/mL and has a water-solubility of preferably less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C.

The method of the present invention comprises step a). In step a) of the method of the present invention, granules are formed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method of manufacturing granules comprises the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from

5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, wherein said inulin is amorphous and/or has a density of at least 1.3 g/mL, and wherein said amorphous inulin has preferably a water-solubility of less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C.

The inulin of the pre-mix functions as filler, nutrient and binder. For forming granules, the addition of a further binder to the pre-mix is optional. In case the pre-mix comprises amorphous inulin that has a moisture content of more than 3.9 weight-%, based on the total weight of the amorphous inulin, the pre-mix of the invention comprises preferably at least one binder that is not inulin. Said binder is preferably a heteropolysaccharide comprising a sugar acid such as galacturonic acid and is most preferably pectin. In case the pre-mix comprises pectin, the amount of pectin in the pre-mix should preferably be less than 2 weight-%, based on the total weight of the pre-mix. Higher amounts of pectin reduce the dispersibility of the granules such that the granules are less suitable for preparing beverages. Thus, one embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing granules comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature preferably lower than 85°C, and wherein said pre-mix comprises in addition to said amorphous inulin at least one further binder if said amorphous inulin has a moisture content of more than 3.9 weight-%, based on the total weight of the amorphous inulin, and wherein said binder is preferably a heteropolysaccharide comprising at least one sugar acid (such as galacturonic acid) and wherein said binder is most preferably pectin.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing granules comprises the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 0.1 weight-% to 1 .9 weight-% pectin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre mix, wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature preferably lower than 85°C.

Unwanted interactions between micronutrients may impact the storage stability of the manufactured granules. To prevent unwanted interactions, the pre-mix of the present invention comprises preferably fat-soluble micronutrients or water-soluble micronutrients but not a mixture of fat-soluble and water-soluble micronutrients. In case the pre-mix of the invention comprises fat-soluble micronutrients or water-soluble micronutrients, the pre-mix of the present invention comprises preferably no minerals other than calcium salt. One embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a water-solubility of less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C, wherein said pre-mix comprises at least three fat-soluble vitamins or at least three water-soluble vitamins or at least three minerals.

A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing caking-resistant granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C, wherein said pre-mix comprises preferably at least three fat-soluble vitamins or at least three water-soluble vitamins or at least three minerals.

An also preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing water-soluble or water-dispersible granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C, wherein said pre-mix comprises preferably at least three fat-soluble vitamins or at least three water-soluble vitamins or at least three minerals. Commercially available inulin granules (e.g. Orafti® GR) comprise amorphous inulin which has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C and which is not enriched with oligofructose. Such inulin is particularly suitable for granulating pre-mixes that comprise calcium salt in addition to fat-soluble vitamins or in addition to water-soluble vitamins. Thus, a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a method of manufacturing water-soluble or water-dispersible granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises at least one calcium salt and from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C, wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, and wherein the weight ratio between said least one calcium salt and said amorphous inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1:2 and is more preferably from 1.5:1 to 1:1.5, and wherein said pre-mix further comprises preferably at least three fat-soluble vitamins or at least three water-soluble vitamins.

The present invention also relates to granules obtainable by the herein described method of the invention.

Composition comprising granules of the invention

The composition of the invention comprises granules. The granules of the composition of the invention are preferably obtained by the method of the invention, i.e. preferably by FBG granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin. Thus, the granules of the composition of the invention comprise preferably the herein described amorphous inulin (of. Figure 1), regardless whether the granules comprise water-soluble micronutrients or fat-soluble micronutrients or minerals.

The composition of the invention is preferably a dietary powder and optionally comprises rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D or a mixture thereof. Dietary powders are meant for human consumption. Thus, any bad taste needs to be masked. The granules of the composition of the invention comprise preferably at least one edible acid that is suitable for taste masking, regardless whether the granules comprise water-soluble micronutrients or fat-soluble micronutrients or minerals. For beverages, acid is a particularly suitable taste masking agent. A well-known edible acid is citric acid. The addition of citric acid increases unwanted caking such that dosage precision might be impacted. Surprisingly, unwanted caking is reduced or prevented if an edible dicarboxylic acid is used as taste masking agent instead of citric acid. Particularly preferred are edible dicarboxylic acid that are solid at room temperature. Caking is particularly well reduced or prevented if the granules of invention comprise malic acid for masking the unpleasant taste of certain micronutrients and minerals. Thus, the present invention also relates to the use of edible dicarboxylic acid as taste masking agent in granules comprising i) inulin and ii) at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral, wherein said edible dicarboxylic acid is solid at room temperature and wherein said edible dicarboxylic acid is preferably malic acid.

In a preferred embodiment, the granules of the present invention and/or the composition of the present invention comprise one or more steviol glycosides. The addition of stevia products allows for a reduction of sugar if a sweet product is desired and/or if further taste masking is needed. Steviol glycosides may be found in stevia extracts or produced by culturing in a suitable medium a microorganism which has been genetically modified to be able to produce such steviol glycosides. Alternatively, steviol glycosides can be obtained through in vitro reactions, such as by treating steviol glycoside substrates with UDP-sugar and UDP glycosyl transferases under suitable reaction conditions. In case that the granules of the present invention and/or the composition of the present invention comprise one or more steviol glycosides, the steviol glycosides are preferably selected from the group consisting of steviol-13-monoside, steviol- 19-monoside, rubusoside, stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside 0, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside F and rebaudioside M. Preferred granules or compositions comprise rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside M or mixtures of two or more thereof. Even more preferred granules or compositions comprise rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D or a mixture thereof. Some inulin grades are sweet themselves. Thus, an alternative or additional taste masking agent is sweet inulin such as amorphous inulin having a water-solubility of at least 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C.

The apparatus for providing beverages as herein described comprises preferably at least three storage compartments, wherein a first storage compartment contains granules comprising water-soluble micronutrients and wherein a second storage compartment contains granules comprising fat-soluble micronutrients and wherein a third storage compartment contains granules comprising minerals. In each compartment, the number of granules is sufficient to delivery serval beverages (e.g. up to 50 beverages). Therefore, the composition of the invention has a weight of preferably at least 1 gram, more preferably a weight of at least 5 grams and most preferably a weight of at least 10 grams, regardless whether the granules of the composition comprise water-soluble micronutrients or fat-soluble micronutrients or minerals. One embodiment of the invention relates to a beverage-dispensing machines comprising at least one storage compartment, wherein said storage compartment comprises preferably at least 1 gram, more preferably at least 5 grams and most preferably at least 10 grams of the composition of the present invention.

To provide personalized beverages, a mixture of different kinds of granules is dispensed from different storage compartments into a single glass of water. Whereas personalisation is important, the vast majority of people need, in comparison to vitamins, a relatively large amount of ionic calcium. Therefore, a calcium salt is added to different kinds of granules, e.g. to both, to granules comprising water-soluble micronutrients and to granules comprising fat-soluble micronutrients. When using the preferred calcium salts, the granules are easily dispersible and thus suitable for preparing beverages. Thereby, the weight ratio between calcium salt and amorphous inulin is preferably in the range from 4:1 to 1:4, more preferably from 3:1 to 1:3 and most preferably from 2:1 to 1:2, wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate.

Composition comprising water-soluble micronutrients

The present invention also relates to a composition comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, preferably at least 85 weight-% granules and most preferably at least at least 90 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 10 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 20 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said inulin has preferably a density of at least 1.3 g/mL, ii) at least 3, preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5 and most preferably at least 6 water-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably selected from the group consisting of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid and biotin, or wherein said micronutrients being preferably selected from the group consisting of niacinamide, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, iii) at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid, iv) preferably less than 1 weight-%, preferably less than 0.1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.01 weight-% ionic phosphorus, based on the total weight of the granules, and v) at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1:2, and wherein said composition has preferably a weight of at least 1 gram, more preferably a weight of at least 5 grams and most preferably a weight of at least 10 grams, and wherein said composition is preferably water-soluble or water-dispersible, and wherein said composition is preferably flowable, and wherein said composition comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, preferably less than 0.1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.01 weight-% citric acid, based on the total weight of the granules, and/or wherein said composition is preferably obtained by granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin as herein disclosed.

These embodiments are illustrated by examples 9 and example 13.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for providing beverages, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one storage compartment, and wherein said storage compartment comprises the above described composition comprising at least 3 water-soluble micronutrients, preferably at least 3 water-soluble vitamins.

The present invention also relates to the use of the described compositions for preparing a beverage that comprises preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, even more preferably at least 5 and most preferably at least 6 water-soluble micronutrient. Thereby, preferably at least 2 of the water-soluble micronutrients are water-soluble vitamins.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition having a weight of at least 1 gram and comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 20 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, ii) at least 3 water-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably water-soluble vitamins that are preferably selected from the group consisting of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid and biotin or said micronutrients being preferably selected from the group consisting of niacinamide, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, iii) at least one an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature being preferably malic acid, iv) less than 0.01 weight-% ionic phosphorus, based on the total weight of the granules, and v) 10 weight-% or more of at least one calcium salt, based on the total weight of the granules, wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate and wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1:2, and wherein said granules are preferably obtained by granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin as herein disclosed.

The method of the present invention is preferably a method of manufacturing granules which comprise preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, even more preferably at least 5 and most preferably at least 6 water-soluble micronutrients, said method comprising preferably the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has preferably a water-solubility of preferably less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C, and wherein said pre-mix further comprises

— at least 3, preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5 and most preferably at least 6 water-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably water-soluble vitamins that are preferably selected from the group consisting of thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, ascorbic acid and biotin or said micronutrients being preferably selected from the group consisting of niacinamide, cyanocobalamin and folic acid, and/or — at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid, and/or

— at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C or has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C, and wherein said pre-mix is preferably prepared by adding at least one vitamin powder, wherein said vitamin powder comprises one vitamin only. Suitable vitamin powders are commercially available at DSM® Nutritional Products (Switzerland).

Composition comprising fat-soluble micronutrients

The present invention also relates to a composition comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, preferably at least 85 weight-% granules and most preferably at least at least 90 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 10 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 20 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said inulin has preferably a density of at least 1.3 g/mL, ii) at least 2, preferably at least 3, and most preferably at least

4 fat-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably fat-soluble vitamins that are preferably selected from the group consisting of pro-vitamin A, vitamin D2, vitamin E and vitamin K1, and wherein said pro-vitamin A is preferably beta-carotene iii) at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid, iv) preferably less than 1 weight-%, preferably less than 0.1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.01 weight-% ionic phosphorus, based on the total weight of the granules, v) at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1 :2, and wherein said composition has preferably a weight of at least 1 gram, more preferably a weight of at least 5 grams and most preferably a weight of at least 10 grams, and wherein said composition is preferably water-soluble or water-dispersible, and wherein said composition is preferably flowable, and wherein said composition comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, preferably less than 0.1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.01 weight-% citric acid, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said granules are preferably obtained by granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin as herein disclosed.

These embodiments are illustrated by example 10.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for providing beverages, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one storage compartment, and wherein said storage compartment comprises the above described composition comprising at least 3 fat-soluble micronutrients, preferably at least 3 fat-soluble vitamins.

The present invention also relates to the use of the above described compositions comprising fat-soluble micronutrients for preparing a beverage that comprises preferably at least 3, preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5 and most preferably at least 6 fat-soluble micronutrients. Thereby, the composition comprises preferably at least 2 fat-soluble vitamins. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition, having a weight of at least 1 gram and comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 20 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, wherein said inulin has preferably a density of at least 1 .3 g/mL, and ii) at least 3, and preferably at least 4 fat-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably fat-soluble vitamins that are preferably selected from the group consisting of beta-carotene, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E and vitamin K1 , iii) at least one edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature being preferably malic acid, iv) less than 0.01 weight-% ionic phosphorus, based on the total weight of the granules, and v) 10 weight-% or more of at least one calcium salt, based on the total weight of the granules, wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate and wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1 :2, wherein said granules are preferably obtained by granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin as herein disclosed.

The method of the present invention is preferably a method of manufacturing granules which comprise at least 2, preferably at least 3, and most preferably at least 4 fat-soluble micronutrients, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a water-solubility of preferably less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C, and wherein said pre-mix further comprises — at least 2, preferably at least 3, and most preferably at least

4 fat-soluble micronutrients, said micronutrients being preferably fat-soluble vitamins that are preferably selected from the group consisting of pro-vitamin A such as beta-carotene, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamin E and vitamin K1 ,

— at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid,

— at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C or has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C.

Fat-soluble micronutrients are not soluble in water. Therefore, the pre-mix of the invention comprises preferably at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible powder that comprises at least one fat-soluble micronutrient. Suitable powders are commercially available at DSM® Nutritional Products (Switzerland).

Composition comprising minerals

The present invention also relates to a composition comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, preferably at least 85 weight-% granules and most preferably at least at least 90 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 10 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 20 weight-% to 40 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said inulin has preferably a density of at least 1.3 g/mL, ii) at least 1 mineral preferably selected from group consisting of edible calcium salts, edible copper salts, edible iron salts, edible phosphate salts, edible manganese salts, edible iodine salts, iodine-enriched yeast and edible zinc salts and more preferably selected from the group consisting of copper gluconate, ferric pyrophosphate and manganese sulfate or preferably selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide and zinc gluconate, iii) at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid, iv) optionally at least one source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate, v) at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate, wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1:2, and wherein said composition has preferably a weight of at least 1 gram, more preferably a weight of at least 5 grams and most preferably a weight of at least 10 grams, and wherein said composition is preferably water-soluble or water-dispersible, and wherein said composition is preferably flowable, and wherein said composition comprises preferably less than 1 weight-%, preferably less than 0.1 weight-% and most preferably less than 0.01 weight-% citric acid, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said granules are preferably obtained by granulation of a pre-mix that comprises amorphous inulin as herein disclosed.

These embodiments are illustrated by examples 11 and example 12.

The present invention also relates to an apparatus for providing beverages, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one storage compartment, and wherein said storage compartment comprises the above described composition comprising at least 1 mineral.

The present invention also relates to the use of the above described compositions comprising minerals for preparing a beverage that comprises at least 1 mineral. A preferred embodiment relates to the use of a composition for preparing a beverage, wherein said composition comprises a source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and/or said composition comprises at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a composition, having a weight of at least 1 gram and comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 10 weight-% to 30 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, ii) at least 1 mineral selected from group consisting of edible calcium salts, edible copper salts, edible iron salts, edible phosphate salts, edible manganese salts, edible iodine salts, iodine-enriched yeast and edible zinc salts and preferably selected from the group consisting of copper gluconate, ferric pyrophosphate and manganese sulfate or selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, zinc gluconate, iii) at least one edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature being preferably malic acid, iv) optionally at least one source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate, v) 10 weight-% or more of at least one calcium salt, based on the total weight of the granules, wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate at least one calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate and wherein the weight ratio between the least one calcium salt and inulin is preferably from 2:1 to 1 :2, and wherein said composition is preferably obtained by the method of the present invention.

The method of the present invention is preferably a method of manufacturing granules which comprise at least 1 mineral, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-%, preferably from 5 weight-% to 70 weight-% and most preferably from 5 weight-% to 40 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a water-solubility of preferably less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C, and wherein said pre-mix further comprises

— at least 1 mineral selected from the group consisting of copper gluconate, ferric pyrophosphate and manganese sulfate and/or at least 1 mineral selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, zinc gluconate,

— optionally at least one source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Figures FIGURE 1 shows a decision tree for choosing an inulin grade that is suitable for manufacturing water-soluble or water-dispersible granules by Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). The decision tree shown in Figure 1 is illustrated by the herein disclosed examples. Each of the decisions shown in the tree of Figure 1 is supported by one or more examples. FIGURE 2 shows the X-ray diffractograms of different grades of inulin. The two top lines having distinctive peaks at 20-values of about 12, 16.1, 17.6 and 21.7 originate from crystalline or semi-crystalline inulin grades (FIPX and FTX). The remaining lines below the two top lines have no distinctive peaks that are separated from one other; these lines originate from amorphous inulin (SYN1, HP, HSI, STGel and GR).

FIGURE 3 shows sorption isotherm (DVS intrinsic) from various inulin grades. For relative humidity between 70% and 80%, the sorption isotherm of inulin grade HP is unique: the slope of its sorption isotherm is approximately zero (i.e. substantially no change in mass when increasing relative humidity from 70% to 80%). Examples

Example 1

The goal of Example 1 was to manufacture water-soluble or water-dispersible inulin granules using Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG). Two commercially available inulin grades were purchased at BENEO GmbFI, Germany:

— Inulin Orafti®FTX (long chain inulin, inulin content approx. 98%, density 1.26 g/ml_)

— Inulin Orafti® FIPX (long chain inulin, inulin content approx. 99.5%, average DP > 23, density 1.2 g/mL) DP: Degree of Polymerisation; ml_: milliliter; g: gram

Neither Oraft® FIPX nor Oraft®FTX could be fully dissolved in water. In both cases, turbid liquid mixtures and/or sediments were obtained. Thus, neither Oraft® FIPX nor Oraft®FTX is suitable for preparing granules that are meant for the preparation of beverages. Powder measurements in an X-ray powder diffractometer were then done. Peaks (20-values) in the X-ray diffractograms revealed that both inulin grades (i.e. Oraft® FIPX and Oraft®FTX) are semi crystalline, i.e. both grades comprise significant crystalline structures (of. Figure 2). For both grades, distinctive peaks were observed at 20-values of about 12, 16.1, 17.6 and 21.7. The most prominent peaks at 20-values of about 12 and 21.7.

Experimental density values were measured using a Micromeritics AccuPyc II 1340 helium pycnometer (Unterschleissheim, 85716 Germany). Helium pycnometry is the most commonly used method to give the closest measurements for powder true density. The difference in helium pressure before and after loading sample is measured to calculate the sample volume. Helium penetrates into smallest pores and crevices and permits to approach the real volume of the sample. During the test, the helium pressure was set to be 21 psi with a purging time of ~15 min. For each measurement, 0.5-1.5 g sample was used. Replicates were run for each sample to ensure good reproducibility with a standard deviation less than 0.001 g/cm3, and the average was reported. Example 1 shows that crystalline inulin is less useful for solving the problems underlying the present invention. Example 2

Example 1 was repeated. This time, however, a different grade of long chain inulin was used:

— Inulin Orafti® HP (long chain inulin, inulin content approx. 99.5%, average DP > 23, density 1.37 g/mL) The lack of distinctive peaks at certain 20-values in the X-ray diffractograms revealed the amorphous structure of Orafti® HP (of. Figure 2). Density of Oraft® HP was higher (1.37 g/mL) than the density of the two crystalline grades tested in Example 1. This is rather surprising as the density of a crystalline powder is often higher than the density of an amorphous powder of the same material.

Oraft® HP could be dispersed in water: when added to water, a turbid liquid mixture was obtained. Glass transition temperature of Oraft® HP was then measured. To determine glass transition temperature, thermal analysis of a given inulin grade was carried out using a TA Instruments Discovery DSC. Nitrogen was supplied to the cooling system. Approximately 5 mg to 7 mg of a sample were accurately weighted into an aluminum sample pan with aluminum lids. The thermogram of the sample is then obtained by cooling the sample down to -50°C during 5 minutes, followed by heating at a rate of 10°C/min up to 70°C. After 5 minutes, the same cycle is repeated up to 200°C. A relatively high value of 89°C was measured.

Example 2 shows that amorphous inulin having a high glass transition temperature can be used for preparing granules that are water-dispersible. However, the turbidity occurring upon dispersion in water also shows that amorphous inulin having a high glass transition temperature is not the preferred choice when striving for granules that are fully water-soluble. Example 3

In Example 3, high soluble inulin powder was used:

— Inulin Orafti® HSI (standard inulin, inulin content approx. 88%, density 1.44 g/ml_) Peaks (20-values) in the X-ray diffractograms revealed the amorphous structure of Orafti® HSI (of. Figure 2). Density of amorphous inulin Oraft® HSI was again higher than the density of the two crystalline grades tested in Example 1. Glass transition temperature of Oraft® HSI was measured as 48°C.

Oraft® HSI could be fully dissolved in water such that a clear (i.e. non-turbid) liquid was obtained. However, Fluidized Bed Granulation (FBG) proved to be difficult due to un-controlled agglomeration, most likely due to the high content of short chain inulin in Oraft® HSI.

Water solubility and sweetness level of different grades of inulin are shown in TABLE 1. High content of short chain inulin (a) decreases inulin content, (b) increases sweetness level and (c) increases water solubility.

Table 1

Example 3 shows that amorphous inulin having a very high water solubility is not the preferred amorphous inulin. Whereas it is a promising starting point to manufacturing granules that are fully water-dispersible, advanced granulation skills are needed to overcome un-controlled agglomeration. Example 4

In Example 4, an inulin grade having medium solubility and medium sweetness was tested:

— Inulin Orafti® ST-Gel (standard inulin, inulin content approx. 90%, average DP > 10, density 1.38 g/mL; sweetness level compared to sucrose: 10%; water solubility measured at 25°C: 120 g/L)

Peaks (20-values) in the X-ray diffractograms revealed the amorphous structure of Orafti® ST-Gel (of. Figure 2). Density of amorphous inulin Orafti® ST-Gel was higher than density of the two crystalline grades tested in Example 1.

Orafti® ST-Gel could be fully dissolved in water such that a clear (i.e. non-turbid) liquid was obtained. However, unless an additional binder (e.g. pectin) had been added to the mixture of particles to be agglomerated (i.e. to the pre-mix), the yield of aggregated granules was low (15%). At low temperatures (e.g. 40°C), Orafti® ST-Gel alone is apparently not sticky enough to efficiently form aggregates when applying the method of the present invention.

To determine glass transition temperature, thermal analysis was done as described in example 2. The glass transition temperature of Orafti® ST-Gel was measured as 66°C, which is relatively high for a water-soluble polymer. For many amorphous compositions, sticky point temperature lies 10°-20°C above the glass transition temperature. Heating to a temperature of 70°C or more is not option when granulating mixtures that contain temperature sensitives vitamins. Therefore, instead of raising the temperature, a binder is preferably added. Example 4 shows that amorphous inulin having a low glass transition temperature can be used for solving the problems underlying the present invention. However, to achieve a reasonably yield upon granulation, the pre-mix to be agglomerated preferably comprises in addition to the amorphous inulin a binder such as pectin. Additional experiments showed that in case of pectin, the amount of pectin in the manufactured granule should be preferably less than 2 weight-%, based on the total weight of the granule. At higher amounts, the obtained granules are less suitable for preparing a beverage. A mixture comprising 13% amorphous inulin, 55 weight-% calcium lactate and 32 weight-% citric acid was completely soluble in water; a clear solution was obtained. Example 5

In Example 5, the inulin grades shown in TABLE 2 were used:

Table 2

Orafti® GR (granulated inulin powder) could be fully dissolved in water such that a clear (i.e. non-turbid) liquid was obtained. Nice granules were obtained (yield: approx. 55%) even though no additional binder had been added. The granules disintegrated easily in water such that a slightly turbid beverage was obtained.

Orafti® Synergyl (combination of longer and shorter chain inulin) could also be fully dissolved in water such that a clear (i.e. non-turbid) liquid was obtained. Again, there was no need to add any additional binder. Nice granules were obtained (yield: approx. 60%) and the granules disintegrated easily in water such that a slightly turbid beverage was obtained.

In both cases (i.e. Orafti® GR and Orafti® Synergyl), the yield could be improved by spraying the aqueous binder liquid from the side or from below onto the fluidized bed of particles. When spraying the aqueous binder liquid from the side or from above onto the fluidized bed of particles, yield was lower.

Example 5 shows that amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature from 40°C to 85°C and having a water solubility from 40 g/L to 140 g/L measured at a temperature of 25°C can be used for solving the problems underlying the present invention.

Example 6

Example 5 was repeated. However, in Example 6, water was sprayed onto the fluidized bed of particles which also comprised calcium lactate pentahydrate (C6H2oCaOii) particles (particle size 212 pm, determined using an Mastersizer 2000 laser diffractometer using a dry sampling system (Sirocco 2000) from Malvern Instruments). Again, the experiment was successful, regardless whether the fluidized bed of particles comprised Orafti® GR particles or Orafti® Synergyl particles.

Attrition of granules without calcium lactate particles (as obtained in Example 5) was then compared with attrition of granules comprising aggregated calcium lactate particles. Attrition (i.e. wearing away by friction; abrasion) is an indication of friability (adjective for something easily crumbled). Thereby, attrition was measured as follows: 10 g of sample (previously sieved to assure particles are between 200 and 600 pm) were placed on a 150 pm sieve with 25 steels balls (weighing 100 g each). The sieve bottom is weighed and the 150 pm sieve is placed onto the sieve bottom on attached to a vibrating sieve Retsch KS1 with horizontal rotation at 160 rpm. After 5 minutes the sieve bottom, containing the fine material which passes through the 150 pm sieve is weighted and attrition is reported as the (weight of material to pass through the 150 pm sieve divided by the initial weight of sample) multiplied by 100. The sieve bottom is weighted, and attrition is reported as %, calculated as "mg" net on sieve bottom in relation with the total sample of 1000 mg. The thus measured attrition is indicated in below TABLE 3:

Table 3

Example 6 shows the synergetic effect between calcium lactate and Orafti® GR: whereas the addition of calcium lactate reduces wearing away by friction for both amorphous inulins, the improvement triggered by the addition of calcium lactate is dramatically higher in case of Orafti® GR. Oraft® GR is an amorphous inulin having a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C.

Example 7 Example 6 was repeated. However, in Example 7, water was sprayed onto the fluidized bed of particles which also comprised solid citric acid crystals (mean particle size 238.96 pm). Again, the experiment was successful, regardless whether Oraft® GR or Orafti® Synergyl was used.

Example 7 shows that granules comprising solid citric in addition to a calcium salt can be easily manufactured by wet granulation of a pre-mix comprising solid citric acid crystals, calcium lactate particles and inulin particles.

Example 8

Example 6 was repeated. However, in Example 8, water was sprayed onto the fluidized bed of particles which also comprised ionic phosphorus particles. The following sources of ionic phosphorus were tested: Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHP04), monocalcium phosphate (Ca(H₂P0₄)₂), tricalcium phosphate (Ca3(P0₄)₂), magnesium hydrogen phosphate (MgHPC ), dicalcium phosphate (H3PO₄) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄). The experiment of Example 8 was successful, regardless whether Oraft® GR or Oraft® Synergyl was used to prepare the aqueous binder liquid. However, depending on the source of ionic phosphorus, the obtained granules disintegrated more or less easily in water. The best result was achieved when using potassium dihydrogen phosphate particles. Additional tests showed that is not possible to obtain a clear liquid when dispersing phosphate salt in water unless potassium dihydrogen phosphate is used as a source of phosphorus.

Example 8 shows how to manufacture water-soluble or water-dispersible granules which comprise a source of ionic phosphorus.

Example 9 Example 9 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Granules comprising inulin, calcium lactate and several micronutrients were prepared by FBG as described in Examples 5 to 8. The detailed composition of the granules manufactured in Example 9 is shown in below TABLE 4. Due to the high content of calcium lactate, the granules contained about 11 wt.-% moisture; they are therefore referred to as partially dried.

Table 4

In Example 9 and in the following examples 9-13, commercially available powders of macro- and micronutrients were used. In some cases, the powders are crystals as such. Whenever crystals as such are not stable, powder formulations thereof were used in examples 9-13. The particle sizes of the macro- and micronutrient powders are preferably within a certain range because agglomeration of particles is more difficult if the particles to agglomerated have very different sizes. The preferred supplier of macro- and micronutrients (crystals and formulations thereof) is DSM® Nutritional Products, Switzerland.

Calcium lactate pentahydrate as used in Examples 9-13 has a mean particle size of 212 pm, measured with a Malvern Mastersizer 2000. In Example 9, good quality granules were obtained at high yield (>65%) and narrow particle size distribution (200-600 pm). The granules disintegrated easily in cold water (<30 s) giving a healthy beverage. Attrition of the granules was low (<6 g/100g).

In Example 9, the weight ratio between calcium salt and inulin was 39.22:31.43=1.2:1. Example 9 shows that good granules are obtained when combining water-soluble vitamins into one granule.

Example 10

Example 10 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Granules comprising inulin, calcium lactate and several micronutrients were prepared by FBG as described in Examples 5 to 9. The detailed composition of the granules manufactured in Example 10 is shown in below TABLE 5:

In Example 10, good quality granules were obtained at high yield (>60%) and narrow particle size distribution (200-600pm). The granules disintegrated easily in cold water (<30s) giving a healthy beverage. Attrition of the granules was low (<7 g/1 OOg).

In Example 10, the weight ratio between calcium salt and inulin was 39.22:30.3=1.3:1. Example 10 shows that good granules are obtained when combining fat-soluble vitamins into one granule.

Example 11

Example 11 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Granules comprising inulin, calcium lactate and several micronutrients were prepared by FBG as described in Examples 5 to 9. The detailed composition of the granules manufactured in Example 11 is shown in below TABLE 6:

Table 6 In Example 11 , good quality granules were obtained at high yield (>65%) and narrow particle size distribution (200-600 pm). The granules disintegrated easily in cold water (<30 s) giving a healthy beverage. Attrition of the granules was low (<11 g/100 g).

In Example 11, the weight ratio between calcium salt and inulin was 39.22:29.84=1.3:1. Example 11 shows that good granules are obtained when combining minerals into one granule.

Example 12

Example 12 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Granules comprising inulin, calcium lactate potassium dihydrogen phosphate and several micronutrients were prepared by FBG as described in Examples 5 to 9. The detailed composition of the granules manufactured in Example 12 is shown in below TABLE 7:

Table 7

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate as used in Example 12 is as a powder where at least 95% passes through a sieve with a mesh size of 0.045 mm.

In Example 12, good quality granules were obtained at high yield (>60%) and narrow particle size distribution (200-600 pm). The granules disintegrated easily in cold water (<30 s) giving a healthy beverage. Attrition of the granules was low (<9 g/100 g). In Example 12, the weight ratio between calcium salt and inulin was 20.2:13.0=1.6:1.

Example 13 Example 13 is a preferred embodiment of the invention. Granules comprising inulin, calcium lactate and several micronutrients were prepared by FBG as described in Examples 5 to 9. The detailed composition of the granules manufactured in Example 13 is shown in below TABLE 8:

In Example 13, good quality granules were obtained at high yield (>63%) and narrow particle size distribution (200-600 pm). The granules disintegrated easily in cold water (<30 s) giving a healthy beverage. Attrition of the granules was low (<12 g/100 g).

In Example 13, the weight ratio between calcium salt and inulin was 39.22:34.52=1.1:1. Example 13 shows that good granules are obtained when combining folic acid, vitamin B12 and niacin into one granule.

Example 14

In Example 14, an apparatus for preparing personalized vitamin beverages was provided by Mixfit Inc. (Delaware, US). The apparatus is equipped with several empty storage containers and a supply for fresh water. The storage containers were then filled with the granules manufactured in Examples 9 to 13.

The granules manufactured in Examples 9 to 13 flowed easily from the respective storage container into the cup. Metering was therefore easy and very accurate. After addition of water into the cup, the granules easily disintegrated after 30 seconds with agitation. Even after prolonged use of the appartus, no dust appeared in the surroundings of the machine. Thus, the granules manufactured in Examples 9 to 13 show little friability. Numerous personlized vitamin beverages were successfully produced in Example 14. No dust was observed after having dispensed the granules.

Example 15 When using the granules manufactured in Examples 9 to 13 for a prolonged time in very humid conditions, caking was observed. In case the beverage-dispensing apparatus has open storage compartments, delivering customized quantities becomes more difficult if the apparatus is located in a humid spot such as Florida (US). To find a solution for humid conditions, Examples 9 to 13 were repeated. However, instead of Orafti® GR, Orafti® HP was used. Whereas this modification impacted the solubility of the granules (cf. Example 2), the impact was not as severe as expected: the solubility of the granules based on Orafti® HP was only slightly worse than the solubility of the granules based on Orafti® GR.

In contrast, the caking-resistance of the granules based on Orafti® HP was dramatically better than the caking-resistance of the of the granules based on Orafti® GR. Sorption isotherms @25°C (DVS intrinsic) were then measured as follows: 20 mg-22 mg of sample were accurately weighted and placed on an aluminium pan holder (previously tared) and inserted into the relative humidity control chamber of a DVS intrinsic apparatus (Surface Measurement Systems), a full cycle (sorption and desorption) from 0% to 80% relative humidity was done, while step DM/DT was set as 0.002.

Surprisingly, the water adsorption of Orafti® HP (measured as an increase in mass in %) is independent of the relative humidity of the environment once a relative humidity of 70% is reached (Figure 3). In other words, the water adsorption of Orafti® HP at 25°C is at 70% relative humidity approximately the same as the water adsorption of Orafti® HP at 25°C is at 80% relative humidity. Such behavior could not be observed of any other grade of the tested inulins. An also preferred embodiment of the invention relates therefore to the use of amorphous inulin, wherein the sorption isotherm (hygroscopicity) has a slope of approximately zero for relative humidities between 70% and 80%. Example 16

In Example 16, further experiments were done to optimize the results of Example 15. The results are shown in TABLE 9.

Table 9

At 60% relative humidity, pre-mixes as such (i.e. before FBG) caked excessively when comprising citric acid. Granulation of the pre-mixes limited caking, but not as significant as desired. Addition of calcium carbonate reduced the negative effects of citric acid but resulted in less soluble granules. The results of example 16 show that the addition of citric acid induced caking even at a low concentration of 2.8 weight-%, based on the total weight of granules. Control granules without any acid exhibited no caking. Thus, if caking is an issue due to the architecture of the beverage machine and/or due to geographic positioning of the beverage machine (i.e. the climatic zone), inulin granules that are free of citric acid are preferred.

However, if the granules contain strong tasting minerals or vitamins, the addition of acid might still be required. Surprisingly, malic acid did not induce caking, not even at concentrations as high as 8.3 weight-%, based on the total weight of granules (pre-mix 2C). Malic acid efficiently masks strong tasting minerals or vitamins and can therefore be used instead of citric acid if caking is an issue.

Claims

1. Composition having a weight of at least 1 gram and comprising at least 80 weight-% granules, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said granules comprise: i) from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and ii) at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral.

2. Composition according to claim 1 , wherein said granules further comprise: iii) at least one edible acid, wherein said edible acid is preferably solid at room temperature, and wherein said at least one edible acid is more preferably an edible dicarboxylic acid that is solid at room temperature, and wherein said edible acid is most preferably malic acid, and/or wherein said at least one mineral is a source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and/or wherein said at least one mineral is a calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate.

3. Use of granules for preparing a beverage, wherein said granules comprise from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% inulin, based on the total weight of the granules, and wherein said granules further comprise at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral.

4. Use according to claim 3, wherein each of said granules comprises at least three micronutrients or at least three minerals, and wherein said granules comprise preferably at least three fat-soluble vitamins or at least three water-soluble vitamins.

5. Use according to claim 4, wherein one of said at least three minerals is a source of ionic phosphorus, wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is preferably potassium phosphate, and wherein said source of ionic phosphorus is more preferably potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and/or wherein one of said at least three minerals is a calcium salt, and wherein said calcium salt is preferably calcium gluconate or calcium lactate, is more preferably calcium lactate and is most preferably calcium lactate pentahydrate.

6. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, or use according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein said inulin is amorphous inulin and/or wherein said granules have a sieve diameter in the range of from 0.05 mm to 8 mm.

7. Method of manufacturing caking-resistant granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature higher than 85°C.

8. Method of manufacturing granules, said method comprising the step: a) spraying water onto a pre-mix, wherein said pre-mix comprises from 5 weight-% to 90 weight-% amorphous inulin, based on the total weight of the pre-mix, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature of 85°C or less, and wherein said amorphous inulin has a water-solubility of less than 200 g/L, measured at a temperature of 25°C.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said inulin has a moisture content of more than 3.9 weight-%, based on the total weight of inulin, and wherein said pre-mix further comprises at least one binder, and wherein said binder is preferably a heteropolysaccharide comprising a sugar acid such as galacturonic acid, and wherein said binder is most preferably pectin.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein said amorphous inulin has a glass transition temperature from 75°C to 85°C, and wherein said pre-mix preferably comprises at least one calcium salt.

11. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said method is fluidized bed granulation.

12. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein said premix further comprises at least one micronutrient and/or at least one mineral.

13. Caking-resistant granule, obtainable by the method according to claim 7.

14. Apparatus for providing beverages, wherein said apparatus comprises at least one storage compartment, and wherein said storage compartment comprises the composition of claim 1 , 2 or 6.

15. Beverage, obtainable by dissolving or dispersing the composition of claim 1, 2 or 6 in an aqueous medium.