Soluble isoflavone compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides isoflavone compositions exhibiting improved solubility (e.g., light transmittance), taste, color, and texture characteristics, and methods for making the same. The isoflavone compositions are useful for incorporation in a variety of foodstuffs, beverages, dietary supplements, and pharmaceutical compositions allowing for improved taste, texture, color, and optical properties of the same.

1 . An isoflavone composition, said composition comprising: 
 a. two or more isoflavones, wherein said isoflavones represent about 15% to about 70% by weight of the composition;    b. about 0.5% to about 30%, by weight, of a hydrophilic polymer, wherein said composition, upon preparation of a mixture of about 0.03% by weight of the composition in water, exhibits a transmittance at 500 nm of at least 75%; and    c. one or more excipients selected from the group consisting of buffers, stabilizers, diluents, sweeteners, flavorings, preservatives, and solubilizers.    
     
     
         2 . A method of reducing symptoms of menopause in a woman, said method comprising administering an amount of said composition of  claim 14  to said woman effective to reduce said symptoms of menopause.  
     
     
         3 . A composition, comprising: 
 a. at least two isoflavones in a total amount ranging from about 15% to about 70% by weight of the composition; and,    b. a hydrophilic polymer in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of said composition, wherein a mixture of about 0.03% of said composition in water exhibits a transmittance at about 500 nm of at least about 75%.    
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a beverage chosen from energy drinks, health drinks, fruit drinks, and tea-based drinks.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a fruit drink comprising a fruit juice, a fruit juice concentrate, or combination thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a fruit drink comprising one or more fruit juices with polyphenolic compounds sufficiently removed such that said fruit drink exhibits a transmittance at about 600 nm that is increased at least about 15% relative to a similar fruit drink prepared with the same one or more fruit juices, except that the fruit juices have not had any polyphenolic compounds removed.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said composition comprises two or more fruit juices and at least one of the two or more fruit juices has not had polyphenolic compounds removed.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said composition comprises a mixture of fruit juices and the mixture has had polyphenolic compounds sufficiently removed such that said fruit drink exhibits a transmittance at about 600 nm that is increased at least about 15% relative to a similar fruit drink prepared with the same mixture of fruit juices, except that the mixture of fruit juices have not had any polyphenolic compounds removed.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a dietary supplement.  
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 9 , wherein said dietary supplement is in the form of a powder adapted for incorporation into a beverage.  
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a pharmaceutical composition, and the total amount of isoflavones is effective for reducing or preventing one or more symptoms experienced by menopausal or post-menopausal women.  
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 3 , wherein said composition is a pharmaceutical composition, and the total amount of isoflavones is effective for reducing or preventing one or more diseases or conditions associated with decreased levels of estrogen in post-menopausal women.  
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the total amount of isoflavones ranges from about 25% to about 65% by weight of said composition.  
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the total amount of isoflavones ranges from about 35% to about 55% by weight of said composition.  
     
     
         15 . A fruit beverage composition, comprising: 
 a. at least two isoflavones in a total amount ranging from about 15% to about 70% by weight of the composition; and,    b. a hydrophilic polymer in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of said composition, wherein a mixture of about 0.03% of said composition in water exhibits a transmittance at about 500 nm of at least about 75%; and,    c. a fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate, wherein the fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate has been treated to sufficiently remove polyphenolic compounds such that said fruit beverage composition exhibits a transmittance at about 600 nm that is increased at least about 15% relative to a similar fruit beverage composition prepared with an untreated fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate.    
     
     
         16 . A fruit beverage composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate has been treated with a compound chosen from polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl polypyrrolidone (PVPP), or combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . A fruit beverage composition according to  claim 15 , wherein said increased transmittance of said fruit beverage is maintained for at least 30 days at a temperature ranging from about 4 degrees C. to about 25 degrees C.  
     
     
         18 . A fruit beverage composition according to  claim 15 , wherein said hydrophilic polymer is chosen from PVP, PVPP, polyvin yl formyl, polyvinyl alcohol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinyl caprolactam, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, and polyvinyl N-methyl pyrrolidone.  
     
     
         19 . A fruit beverage composition according to  claim 15 , wherein,the total amount of said isoflavones ranges from about 25% to about 65% by weight of said fruit beverage composition.  
     
     
         20 . A fruit beverage composition according to  claim 18 , wherein the total amount of said isoflavones ranges from about 35% to about 55% by weight of said fruit beverage composition.