Carbonated protein drink and method of making
DCFirst Claim
1. A carbonated whey protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising:
- about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight whey protein, wherein the source of said whey protein is whey protein isolate that is essentially free of caseinate and lactose;
about 0.1 volumes to about 4 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of whey protein beverage liquid composition; and
wherein said carbonated whey protein beverage composition exibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the carbonated whey protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the whey protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and said carbonated whey protein beverage is essentially free of active microbes known to be harmful to human health.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A carbonated whey protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising:
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about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight whey protein, wherein the source of said whey protein is whey protein isolate that is essentially free of caseinate and lactose; about 0.1 volumes to about 4 volumes of carbon dioxide gas present per volume of whey protein beverage liquid composition; and wherein said carbonated whey protein beverage composition exibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the carbonated whey protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the whey protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and said carbonated whey protein beverage is essentially free of active microbes known to be harmful to human health. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of preparing a carbonated whey protein beverage. comprising:
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admixing in water a whey protein isolate that is essentially free of caseinate and lactose to achieve a percent by weight of whey protein in the admixture of about 2% to about 15% 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 atexuperature 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 tame period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes;adding carbon dioxide to said admixture to obtain a carbonated whey 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; and packaging said carbonated whey protein beverage in a container which may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the carbonated whey protein beverage. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of preparing a carbonated whey protein beverage, comprising:
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admixing in water a whey protein isolate that is essentially free of caseinate and lactose to achieve a percent by weight of whey protein in the admixture of about 2% to about 15%, 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 admixturer; packaging said carbonated whey protein drink beverage in a container designed for use by a consumer of the carbonated whey protein beverage; and treating said admixture to inactivate biologically active microbes; wherein the packaged and treated carbonated whey protein beverage may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the carbonated whey protein beverage. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification