Compositions containing a nopal cactus isolate and method for making same

Abstract

Compositions and methods of making compositions containing nopal cactus isolates derived from the juice and/or soluble solid fractions of nopal pads. In another aspect, the invention relates comestible containing the nopal cactus isolates. In yet another aspect, the invention relates to compositions for making tea, tea compositions and methods of making such compositions, which contain nopal cactus isolates.

1 . A nopal composition comprising a water soluble isolate derived from nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus, wherein said isolate contains a higher concentration of phytonutrients compared to the phytonutrients naturally found in the juice and water soluble fractions of said nopal pads and wherein said isolate is substantially free of active cellulase enzymes.  
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said nopal pads are of a variety selected from the group consisting of  opuntia ficus indica, opuntia streptacantha lemaire  and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said nopal pads are young nopal pads harvested prior to flowering of the cactus plant.  
     
     
         4 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said nopal pads are roasted in a controlled manner to enhance the flavor of said isolate.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said isolate consists essentially of juice and water soluble solid fractions of said nopal pads.  
     
     
         6 . A nopal composition comprising a water soluble solidified isolate derived from nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said nopal pads are of a variety selected from the group consisting of  opuntia ficus indica, opuntia streptacantha lemaire  and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said isolate consists essentially of juice and water soluble solid fractions of said nopal pads.  
     
     
         9 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said isolate is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         10 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said nopal pads are young nopal pads harvested prior to flowering of the cactus plant.  
     
     
         11 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said nopal pads are roasted in a controlled manner to enhance the flavor of said isolate.  
     
     
         12 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said isolate is in a form of a dispersion of solid particles.  
     
     
         13 . A composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said isolate has a moisture content of less than about 10 wt %.  
     
     
         14 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said isolate is rich in phytonutrients naturally found in the water soluble fractions of said nopal pads.  
     
     
         15 . A composition according to  claim 6 , wherein said isolate has a solubility of at least about 150 g/liter of water (measured at 20° C.).  
     
     
         16 . A composition according to  claim 15 , wherein said isolate has a solubility of at least about 200 g/liter of water (measured at 20° C.).  
     
     
         17 . A composition according to  claim 16 , wherein said isolate has a solubility of about 250 g/liter of water (measured at 20° C.).  
     
     
         18 . A composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said nopal pads are young nopal pads harvested prior to flowering of the cactus plant, which are roasted in a controlled manner to enhance the flavor of said isolate, and wherein said isolate is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         19 . A composition according to  claim 18 , wherein said isolate is in a form of a dispersion of solid particles having a moisture content of less than about 10 wt %.  
     
     
         20 . A composition according to  claim 19 , wherein said isolate is in a form selected from the group consisting of pellets, granules and powder.  
     
     
         21 . A composition according to  claim 20 , wherein said isolate has a solubility of at least about 200 g/liter of water (measured at 20° C.).  
     
     
         22 . A composition according to  claim 21 , wherein said isolate has a solubility of about 250 g/liter of water (measured at 20° C.).  
     
     
         23 . A comestible comprising a water soluble isolate derived from nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus and at least one other edible ingredient.  
     
     
         24 . A comestible according to  claim 23 , wherein said nopal pads are of a variety selected from the group consisting of  opuntia ficus indica, opuntia streptacantha lemaire  and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         25 . A comestible according to  claim 24 , wherein said comestible is in a form selected from the group consisting of a drink, powdered drink mix, fruit or herbal infusion, brewable mixture, soup, yogurt, pudding, chocolate, candy and an ingredient thereof.  
     
     
         26 . A comestible according to  claim 24 , wherein said comestible is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         27 . A comestible according to  claim 24 , wherein said isolate is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         28 . A comestible according to  claim 24 , wherein said isolate contains a higher concentration of phytonutrients compared to the phytonutrients naturally found in the juice and water soluble fractions of said nopal pads and wherein said isolate is substantially free of active cellulase enzymes.  
     
     
         29 . A composition for making tea comprising a nopal cactus isolate derived from the juice and/or soluble solid fractions of nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus and dried leaves, stems and/or buds of the shrub  camellia sinensis.    
     
     
         30 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said nopal pads are of a variety selected from the group consisting of  opuntia ficus indica, opuntia streptacantha lemaire  and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         31 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said nopal cactus isolate is freeze-dried.  
     
     
         32 . A composition according to  claim 31 , wherein said freeze-dried isolate is present in an amount sufficient to enhance weight reduction as a result of consuming tea made from said composition for making tea.  
     
     
         33 . A composition according to  claim 31 , wherein said freeze-dried isolate is present in an amount sufficient to reduce cholesterol as a result of consuming tea made from said composition for making tea.  
     
     
         34 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said nopal pads are young nopal pads harvested prior to flowering of the cactus plant.  
     
     
         35 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said nopal pads are roasted in a controlled manner to enhance the flavor of said isolate.  
     
     
         36 . A composition according to  claim 35 , wherein said isolate has a flavor compatible with brewed tea.  
     
     
         37 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said composition is in a form suitable for making tea by a method selected from the group consisting of brewing, steeping, instant tea and flow-through bag.  
     
     
         38 . A composition according to  claim 37 , wherein said instant tea is freeze dried.  
     
     
         39 . A composition according to  claim 37 , wherein tea made from said composition is intended to be served hot.  
     
     
         40 . A composition according to  claim 29 , wherein said dried leaves, stems and/or buds of the shrub  Camellia sinensis  is a classification of tea selected from the group consisting of black tea, green tea, oolong, white tea and blends thereof.  
     
     
         41 . A method for making a water soluble solidified isolate derived from nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus, said method comprising: 
 (i) roasting said nopal pads;    (ii) substantially separating insoluble pulp from water soluble solid and juice fractions; and    (iii) forming a solidified isolate from said soluble solid and juice fractions.    
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein said nopal cactus pads are (i) cleaned and de-thorned before roasting and (ii) ground after roasting for releasing nopal pad juice and soluble solids.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said de-thorned pads are soaked in a basic solution before roasting.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said grinding of said pads is accomplished by using a hammer mill grinder.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 42 , wherein said ground nopal pads are heated sufficiently to substantially inactivate cellulase enzyme naturally present in nopal pads prior to separating insoluble pulp from said juice and soluble solid fractions.  
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said heating is accomplished by steam heating said ground nopal pads to about 160° F.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said heating is accomplished by steam heating said ground nopal pads immediately after grinding.  
     
     
         48 . A method according to  claim 45 , wherein said heating is accomplished by simultaneously steam heating and grinding said nopal pads.  
     
     
         49 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein said separating step is accomplished by filtering said insoluble pulp out of said juice and soluble solid fractions.  
     
     
         50 . A method according to  claim 41 , which further comprises pasteurizing said juice and soluble solids fractions.  
     
     
         51 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said pasteurization is accomplished by flash pasteurizing said juice at a temperature of at least about 190° F, for about 10 seconds.  
     
     
         52 . A method according to  claim 50 , which further comprises concentrating said pasteurized juice and soluble solid fractions.  
     
     
         53 . A method according to  claim 52 , wherein said concentrating step results in a concentrate suitable for freeze-drying.  
     
     
         54 . A method according to  claim 53 , wherein said concentrating step is accomplished by using reverse osmosis to concentrate the juice to about a 12% solids concentration.  
     
     
         55 . A method according to  claim 52 , which further comprises adjusting the pH of said concentrated juice and soluble solids to a desired end use pH.  
     
     
         56 . A method according to  claim 55 , wherein said concentrate is adjusted to a pH of about 5.0.  
     
     
         57 . A method according to  claim 56 , which further comprises subjecting said adjusted concentrate to a second pasteurization step.  
     
     
         58 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said second pasteurization step is carried out by flash pasteurizing said concentrate at a temperature of at least about 190° F. for about 10 seconds.  
     
     
         59 . A method according to  claim 41 , which further comprises filtering said juice and soluble solid fractions to provide a substantially clear liquid.  
     
     
         60 . A method according to  claim 59 , wherein said filtering step is accomplished by recycling said juice through a diatomaceous earth filter.  
     
     
         61 . A method according to  claim 59 , which further comprises pasteurizing said substantially clear fluid.  
     
     
         62 . A method according to  claim 59 , which further comprises adjusting the pH of said substantially clear liquid to a desired end use pH.  
     
     
         63 . A method according to  claim 59 , which further comprises concentrating said pasteurized clear liquid to a concentrate suitable for freeze-drying.  
     
     
         64 . A method according to  claim 63 , which further comprises subjecting said adjusted concentrate to a second pasteurization step.  
     
     
         65 . A method according to  claim 41 , further comprising adding at least one preservative to the nopal juice prior to solidifying.  
     
     
         66 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein said solidified isolate is in the form of a freeze-dried powder.  
     
     
         67 . A method according to  claim 66 , wherein said freeze-dried powder has a moisture content of less than about 7%.  
     
     
         68 . A method according to  claim 66 , wherein said freeze-dried powder is ground to a pre-selected particle size.  
     
     
         69 . A method according to  claim 68 , wherein said freeze-dried nopal powder is ground to a granule size of about 100 mesh.  
     
     
         70 . A method for making a tea composition comprising: 
 combining a water soluble solid nopal isolate with dried leaves, stems and/or buds of the shrub  camellia sinensis.      
     
     
         71 . A method according to  claim 70 , wherein said nopal isolate is prepared by: (i) roasting nopal cactus pads of the  opuntia  genus; (ii) grinding said roasted pads; (iii) substantially separating a juice and soluble solid fractions from insoluble fractions of said ground and roasted pads; (iv) concentrating said juice and solid soluble solids; and (v) freeze-drying the concentrate to form a freeze dried solid.  
     
     
         72 . A method according to  claim 71 , wherein said nopal pads are of a variety selected from the group consisting of  opuntia ficus indica, opuntia streptacantha lemaire  and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         73 . A method according to  claim 71 , further comprising blending said freeze-dried isolate with dried leaves, stems and/or buds of the shrub  Camellia sinensis  to provide a composition suitable for brewing tea.  
     
     
         74 . A method according to  claim 73 , wherein said roasting step is preformed under conditions to make the taste compatible with brewed tea.  
     
     
         75 . A method according to  claim 71 , further comprising, prior to freeze-drying: 
 heating said ground nopal pads to inactivate the cellulose enzyme naturally present in fresh nopal pads;    filtering out the insoluble pulp from the nopal pad juice and soluble solid fractions;    filtering the nopal pad juice and soluble solid fractions until the juice becomes clear;    flash pasteurizing said clear juice;    concentrating said pasteurized juice to a concentration suitable for freeze-drying;    adjusting the pH of said concentrate; and    subjecting said concentrate to a second flash pasteurization step.    
     
     
         76 . A method according to  claim 75 , wherein said pH is adjusted to about 5.0.  
     
     
         77 . A method according to  claim 75 , further comprising adding at least one preservative to said juice.  
     
     
         78 . An item of manufacture comprising a container containing a comestible which includes a water soluble isolate derived from nopal pads of the  opuntia  genus, wherein the container is associated with printed labeling or contents information advising of attributes or benefits of the nopal isolate or said comestible.  
     
     
         79 . An item of manufacture according to  claim 78 , wherein said attributes or benefits are selected from the group consisting of lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood glucose levels, stabilizing blood insulin levels, reducing weight, maintaining weight and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         80 . An item of manufacture according to  claim 78 , wherein said attributes are selected from the group consisting of caloric and compositional data.