Method for dispersing plant sterol in aqueous phase and plant sterol-dispersed beverages

Abstract

Disclosed are a method for dispersing plant sterol in aqueous substrates and a plant sterol-dispersed beverage. The dispersion of plant sterols starts with the admixing of plant sterol to an emulsifier, followed by melting the admixture by heating at 60 to 200° C. Afterwards, the molten substance is mixed with an aqueous beverage alone or an emulsifier-containing aqueous beverage. This resulting mixture is stirred at a high speed to give a dispersion of plant sterols in an aqueous beverage. Optionally, the dispersion may be homogenized. In the beverage thus obtained, there are contained nano-sized micelles which are superior in bioavailability, having no influence on the characteristic taste and flavor of the beverages. Also, the improvement in the dispersion stability of the plant sterol micelles has the effect of prolonging the life span of the beverage, guaranteeing the stability of the products for a long period of time.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for dispersing plant sterol, comprising the steps of: 
 thermally melting an admixture of plant sterol and an emulsifier at 60 to 200° C.;    admixing the molten mixture to an aqueous beverage or an emulsifier-containing aqueous beverage; and    stirring the admixture at a high speed to give a dispersion of plant sterol in the beverage.    
     
     
         2 . A method for dispersing plant sterol, comprising the steps of: 
 thermally melting an admixture of plant sterol and an emulsifier at 60 to 200° C.;    admixing the molten mixture to an aqueous beverage or an emulsifier-containing aqueous beverage; and    stirring the admixture at a high speed and homogenizing to give a plant sterol-dispersed beverage.    
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising the step of drying the dispersion to produce aqueous plant sterol powder.  
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the drying step comprises evaporating or freeze-drying or spray-drying.  
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the plant sterol is selected from the group consisting of sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostanol, campestanol and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the plant sterol is sitosterol.  
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of sucrose fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polysorbate, polyglycerol fatty acid, propylene glycerol fatty acid, polyglycerine fatty acid ester and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the emulsifier is sucrose fatty acid ester.  
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the aqueous beverage is water, a juice beverage, a carbonated drink, milk, soya milk, a drink made of grains, and a favorite drink.  
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the melting step is carried out at 120 to 150° C.  
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the plant sterol is mixed at a weight ratio of 1:0.01 to 1:10 with the emulsifier in total.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the plant sterol is mixed at a weight ratio of 1:0.2 to 1:2.0 with the emulsifier in total.  
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the emulsifier admixed with the aqueous beverage is used at an amount of 80% by weight or less based on the weight of the emulsifier admixed with the plant sterol.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the plant sterol is mixed at a weight ratio of 1:10 to 1:10,000 (w/w) with the aqueous beverage.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the plant sterol is mixed at a weight ratio of 1:10 to 1:100 with the aqueous beverage.  
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the admixture of the aqueous beverage and the plant sterol after the admixing step is maintained at 60 to 140° C.  
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the aqueous beverage is water.  
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the dispersion has a transmittance at 700 nm of 80.0% or greater.  
     
     
         19 . The method as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the homogenizing step is carried out by use of a high-pressure homogenizer, a colloid mill or a sonicator.  
     
     
         20 . A plant sterol-dispersed beverage prepared by the method of  claim 1  or  2 .  
     
     
         21 . The plant-sterol-dispersed beverage as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein the beverage is based on water, a juice beverage, a carbonated drink, milk, soya milk, a drink made of grains, or a favorite drink.  
     
     
         22 . An additive suitable for use in beverages, prepared by thermally melting an admixture of plant sterol and an emulsifier at 60 to 200° C.  
     
     
         23 . The additive as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the admixture is heated at 130 to 140° C.  
     
     
         24 . The additive as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the plant sterol is selected from the group consisting of sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitostanol, campestanol and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         25 . The additive as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of sucrose fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester, polysorbate, polyglycerol fatty acid, propylene glycerol fatty acid, polyglycerine fatty acid ester, and mixtures thereof.