FIBER FORMULATION

PREPARATION A BASE DE FIBRES

English Abstract

The invention relates to a composition and a method
of administering a composition suitable for human
consumption. In one embodiment, the composition includes
a dietary acceptable amount of a first fiber comprising
inulin and a dietary acceptable amount of a second soluble
fiber. The composition is in beverage form having a
viscosity on the order of 1.4 cp or less. A serving of
the beverage may comprise a portion, including the entire
portion of a daily predetermined amount of soluble fiber.

Claims

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A composition suitable for human consumption
comprising:
a dietary acceptable amount of a first fiber
comprising inulin; and
a dietary acceptable amount of a second soluble
fiber,
wherein the composition is a beverage having a
viscosity on the order of 1.4 cp or less.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the dietary
acceptable amount of the first fiber comprises about 0.26
to six percent by weight of a beverage volume.
3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the dietary
acceptable amount of the second fiber comprises about
0.0026 to 33 percent by weight of a beverage volume.
4. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a
dietary acceptable amount of ascorbic acid.
5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition
has a pH less than six.
6. A method comprising:
administering a beverage composition suitable for
human consumption comprising:
a dietary acceptable amount of a first fiber
comprising inulin; and
a dietary acceptable amount of a second soluble
fiber,
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wherein the composition has a viscosity on the order
of 1.4 cp or less and represents a portion of a daily
predetermined amount of soluble fiber.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the portion represents
less than the daily predetermined amount of soluble fiber.
8. The method of claim 6, prior to administering,
further comprising:
preparing the beverage composition from a dry mix by
combining with a liquid.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the dry mix is
combined with water.
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Description

CA 02337623 2001-02-21
FIBER FORMULATION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to nutritional supplement and,
more particularly, to a composition and method for dietary
fiber administration.
Description of Related Art
The Food and Nutrition Board of t:he National Academy
of Scientist has not set a Recommended Dietary Allowance
(RDA) for dietary fiber. Nevertheless, the importance of
dietary fiber is recognized by most health organizations
and the federal government. The Dietary Guidelines for
Americans published jointly by the United States
Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services
recommend eating foods that have adequate amounts of
fiber. The National Cancer Institute recommends 20 to 30
grams of fiber per day with an upper limit of 35 grams.
Dietary fiber is a mixture of plant material that are
resistant to breakdown (digestion) by the human digestive
system. In general, there are two major kinds of dietary
fiber - insoluble (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin) and
soluble (gums, mucilages, pectins). Insoluble fiber
promotes normal elimination by providing bulk for stool
formation and hastening the passage of the stool through
the colon. Studies indicate that soluble fibers may play
a role in reducing the level of cholesterol in the blood.
What is needed are compositions and methods of
administration that encourage fiber consumptions.

CA 02337623 2001-02-21
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a composition and a method
of administering a composition suitable for human
consumption. In one embodiment, the composition includes
a dietary acceptable amount of a first fiber comprising
inulin and a dietary acceptable amount of a second soluble
fiber. The composition is in beverage form having a
viscosity on the order of 1.4 centipoise (cp) or less. A
serving of the beverage may comprise a portion, including
the entire portion of a daily predetermined amount of
soluble fiber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a composition suitable for
human consumption. The invention also relates to a method
of administering a beverage composition. In one aspect,
the composition serves as a dietary supplement to provide
the dietary needs of fiber in men and women. By supplying
fiber, particularly, soluble fiber, the composition and
method promote regularity, intestinal health, and a
lowering of the blood cholesterol level in men and women.
In one embodiment, the composition is a beverage
formulated to contain active ingredients of inulin and
soluble fiber. The inulin and soluble fiber are contained
at levels approaching 40 percent by weight per volume and
a viscosity of 1.4 cp.
Inulin is a fructosaccharide derived principally from
chickory root. Inulin is commercially available from
Imperial Sukier Unier of Sugarland, Texas. One suitable
soluble fiber to be combined with inulin is multidextrin
derived from corn. Multidextrin is commercially available
from Archer Daniels Midland of Decatur, Illinois.
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CA 02337623 2001-02-21
In one embodiment, the composition of the invention
is a fortified beverage formulated to contain active
ingredients of inulin, soluble fiber, and vitamin C. The
beverage is non-carbonated and the delivery system may be
in a ready-to-drink form or a concentrated form to be
mixed with a fluid such as water or juice. A pH of the
product ranges from about 4.0-4.6, and preferably about
4.1 to about 4.4. At this pH range, i.nulin is stable in
solution and the acidic nature controls bacteria growth.
In one embodiment, the composition comprises:
(a) about 0.26 to 6.Oo (w/v) of inulin in a soluble
form;
(b) about 0.0026 to 33% (w/v) of soluble fiber;
(c) about 0.013 to 0.260 (w/v) of ascorbic acid;
(d) about 0.009 to 0.560 (w/v) of citric acid;
(e)about 0.003 to 0.140 (w/v), sodium citrate,
preferably granular form;
(f) about 0.002 to 0.0120 (w/v), sodium ascorbate;
(g) different levels of sugars for different flavors
used in the beverage product;
(h) and appropriate levels of flavors which can be,
but not limited to, orange, peach, cranberry,
tangerine, raspberry, grapefruit, mango, black
cherry, strawberry, or any combination of the
above flavors. The colorants can be from natural
sources or from certified F&DC ~~olorants
depending on labeling claim being sought.
In the above embodiment, the flavor choices are
selected for preferred compatibility with the other
ingredients, especially the active ingredients of inulin,
fiber, and vitamin C. Sodium ascorbat~=_, sodium citrate
and citric acid maintain a pH from about 4.1 to about 4.4.
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CA 02337623 2001-02-21
Tables 1-3 present several examples of beverage
composition with different colors and flavors.
The composition of the invention may be prepared as a
single strength composition for consumption or as a
concentrate to be mixed with a fluid prior to consumption.
By single strength, the composition of the invention
represents a predetermined periodic amount, including a
predetermined daily amount or a portion of a predetermined
daily amount of active ingredients (e. g., inulin, soluble
fiber, and vitamin C).
To prepare a single strength composition, a sweetener
(if utilized) is added to a volume of water equivalent to
about 40 percent by weight of a final composition. To the
mixed water and sweetener, inulin is added and mixed well.
Next, a desired amount of soluble fiber is added and mixed
until completely dissolved. Citric acid, sodium citrate
dihyrate, and ascorbic acid are sequentially added and
stirred until little or no particulates remain. Optional
flavors and colorants are added and mixed and the
composition is adjusted with water to achieve the desired
volume of, for example, 300 milliliters (mL) or 10 ounces
(oz) .
A concentrated composition may be prepared in the
following manner. A volume of water equivalent to 20
percent by weight for volume of the final composition is
combined with a sweetener (if utilized). To this
composit;_on, inulin and fiber are added and mixed,
followed by, sequentially, citric acid, sodium citrate
dihyrate, sodium ascorbate, and ascorbic acid. Flavors
and colorants, where desired, are added to the
composition, with agitation. Finally, the desired volume
is achieved by adjusting with water.
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CA 02337623 2001-02-21
The beverage can be prepared in low calorie form,
substituting sweeteners such as sugar, with artificial
sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame-K, or sucralose.
The beverage can be pasteurized through tunnel
pasteurization or hot fill. Cold-fill- in conjunction with
preservation can also be achieved by addition of
preservatives such as potassium benzoate, potassium
sorbate. Slight carbonation can be performed with about 2
to 2.5 volumes. The beverages can also be made in a dry-
mix powder and prepared by mixing wits water or juice.
For example, a 18.0 g of dry-mix powder of 4.4 g inulin,
13.0 g of soluble fiber, and 0.2 g of ascorbic acid may be
combined with 300 mL of water to provide a single-strength
drink.
One merit of the invention, is that it being a low
viscosity soluble fiber, it does not effect the absorption
of minerals, unlike the high viscosity fibers. In
general, as viscosity is increased, the rate of
absorption/diffusion of minerals is reduced. The
composition of the invention as a beverage provides the
nutrients for promoting intestinal health and lowering the
blood cholesterol levels. Addition of vitamin C utilizes
the absorbed calcium and maintain normal calcium crystals
in the bones. None of the available beverage compositions
known to the inventors include inulin and fiber in such a
concentrated form and yet have such a low viscosity.
According to the inventors' best knowledge, there is no
such beverage product in the market that has low viscosity
with such a high concentration of fiber. The beverage
lies midway between a natural medicine and a refreshing
beverage to gain broader consumer acceptance. The liquid
formulation is beneficial to most human subjects,
particularly adult human subjects including elderly human

CA 02337623 2001-02-21
subjects, who may have difficulties in taking solid dosage
forms for regularity.
Tables 1-3 present representative examples of the
composition of the invention.
Table 1
Formula for Peach - Pear Flavored Beverage
INGREDIENT AMOUNT, g (per serving from about
8 to
10 oz)
Multidextrin 13.0
Inulin 4.4
Sugar 18.0
Citric acid 0.12
Sodium citrate, dehydrate 0.2
granular
Ascorbic acid 0.15
Natural Pear flavor 0.33
Natural peach flavor 1.32
Natural fruity red colorant,0.0399
liquid
Natural caramel colorant 0.084
Sodium Ascorbate 0.035
Table 2
Formula for Apple Flavored Beverage
INGREDIENT AMOUNT, g (per serving from about
8 to
10 oz)
Multidextrin 13.0
Inulin 4.4
Sugar 18.45
Citric acid 0.12
Sodium citrate, dehydrate 0.17
granular
Ascorbic acid 0.15
Natural Apple fruit flavor 0.69
Natural caramel colorant 0.087
Sodium Ascorbate 0.035

CA 02337623 2001-02-21
Table 3
Formula for Berrv Blend Flavored Beveraee
INGREDIENT AMOUNT, g (per serving from about
8 to
10 oz)
Multidextrin 13.0
Inulin 4.4
Sugar 18.0
Citric acid 0.12
Sodium citrate, dihydrate 0.17
granular
Ascorbic acid 0.15
Natural strawberry flavor 1.32
Natural Berry flavor 0.298
Natural fruity red colorant,0.6
liquid
Sodium Ascorbate 0.035
In the preceding detailed description, the invention
is described with reference to specific embodiments
thereof. It will, however, be evident that various
modifications and changes may be made thereto without
departing from the broader spirit and scope of the
invention as set forth in the claims. The specification
and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
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