Carbonated protein drink and method of making

• US 20060083844A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Davinas LLC
• Original Assignee: Next Proteins Incorporated
• Inventors: Sherwood, Shawn, Jenkins, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,205,018 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 426/590
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/54 Mixing with gases
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 2/66 Proteins
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2002/00 Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/15 Flavour affecting agent
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2200/204 Anti-foaming agent
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/032 Citric acid
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/044 Malic acid
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/046 Phosphoric acid
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/0644 Taurine
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/11 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/242 Acesulfame K, acetylsulfame
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/264 Sucralose, halogenated sugar
• CPC Class Codes: A23V 2250/54252 Whey protein

Abstract

An improved carbonated protein beverage/drink composition which provides a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight, while simultaneously employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 4 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is whey protein. The carbonated protein beverage has been heat treated to inactivate microbes in the presence of the carbonation which is used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the carbonated protein drink.

Claims

1. A carbonated protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising:

about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of caseinate;

about 0.1 volumes to about 4 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of protein beverage liquid composition; and

,

wherein said carbonated protein beverage composition exhibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4, whereby substantial solubility of the protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and wherein said carbonated protein beverage is essentially free of active microbes known to be harmful to human health, both at the time of packaging of the carbonated protein beverage and for a time period of at least one year after packaging.

2. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said weight % of protein present ranges from about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight.

3. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 2, wherein said weight % of protein present ranges from about 5% by weight to about 8% by weight.

4. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, or claim 2, or claim 3, wherein said carbonation ranges from about 1.6 volumes to about 3.5 volumes per volume of liquid in said carbonated protein beverage.

5. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 4, wherein said carbonation ranges from about 1.7 volumes to about 3.0 volumes.

6. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, or claim 2, or claim 3, wherein said essentially free from active microbe condition is created by the inactivation of microbes in the individual container in which said carbonated protein beverage composition is packaged.

7. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 6, wherein said inactivation was accomplished using a timed temperature condition of the carbonated protein beverage, while said carbonated protein beverage is contained in said individual container.

8. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, or claim 2, or claim 3, wherein said protein is whey protein.

9. A carbonated protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 4, wherein said protein is whey protein.

10. A carbonated protein beverage in accordance with claim 1, or claim 2, or claim 3, wherein said beverage comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a nutrient, calcium or a calcium derivative, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

11. A carbonated protein beverage in accordance with claim 8, wherein said beverage comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

12. A carbonated protein beverage in accordance with claim 9, wherein said beverage comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

13. A method of preparing a carbonated protein beverage, comprising:

admixing in water a protein, an anti-foaming agent, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 3.4, thereby obtaining an admixture;

heating said admixture to a temperature ranging from about 140°

F. to about 188°

F. for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 10 seconds;

cooling said admixture to a temperature of about 40°

F. or less over a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes;

adding carbon dioxide to said admixture to obtain a carbonated protein beverage wherein the amount of carbonation present in said admixture ranges from about 0.1 volumes per volume of liquid admixture to about 4.0 volumes per volume of liquid admixture, whereby said carbonated protein beverage comprises from about 2% by weight and about 15% by weight protein; and

packaging said carbonated protein drink in a container designed for use by a consumer of the carbonated protein drink.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said temperature maximum during heating is about 150°

F.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said protein is whey protein.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to heating of said admixture, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

17. A method in accordance with claim 16, wherein said carbonated protein beverage is clear in color, exhibiting essentially no turbidity.

18. A method of preparing a carbonated protein beverage, comprising:

admixing in water said protein, an anti-foaming agent, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 5.5, thereby obtaining an admixture;

adding carbon dioxide to said admixture to obtain a carbonated protein beverage wherein the amount of carbonation present in said admixture ranges from about 0.1 volumes per volume of liquid admixture to about 4.0 volumes per volume of liquid admixture, whereby said carbonated protein beverage comprises from about 2% by weight and about 15% by weight protein;

packaging said carbonated protein drink in a container designed for use by a consumer of the carbonated protein drink; and

treating said admixture to inactivate biologically active microbes.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein said pH maximum is about 3.4.

20. A method in accordance with claim 18 or claim 19, wherein said treatment of said admixture to inactivate biologically active microbes is carried out in an individual container in which said carbonated protein beverage is subsequently stored and handled by a consumer of the beverage.

21. A method in accordance with claim 18 or claim 19, wherein said protein is whey protein.

22. A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said protein is whey protein.

23. A method in accordance with claim 18 or claim 19, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to inactivation of said biologically active microbes, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

24. A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to inactivation of said biologically active microbes, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

25. A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to inactivation of said biologically active microbes, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

26. A method in accordance with claim 22, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to inactivation of said biologically active microbes, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, an herbal supplement, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent.

27. A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein said carbonated protein beverage is clear in color, exhibiting essentially no turbidity.

28. A method in accordance with claim 24, wherein said carbonated protein beverage is clear in color, exhibiting essentially no turbidity.

29. A method in accordance with claim 25, wherein said carbonated protein beverage is clear in color, exhibiting essentially no turbidity.

30. A method in accordance with claim 26, wherein said carbonated protein beverage is clear in color, exhibiting essentially no turbidity.