Highly soluble nutritional compositions containing calcium

Abstract

The present invention provides novel compositions containing calcium and/or other minerals (as single mineral compositions or as multiple mineral compositions), methods for making these compositions, and methods for delivering the compositions. The compositions provide soluble bioavailable calcium and/or other minerals at a high concentration due to the high solubility attained through the processing method contained in this patent. Addition by these methods of other mineral(s) to calcium increases the stability and solubility of the calcium. The compositions of the present invention are powders that can be reconstituted in aqueous solutions. The compositions of the present invention also are very stable, allowing for a long shelf life of the compositions and of foods supplemented with the compositions.

1 . A method of making a powder for human or animal consumption having improved organoleptic qualities and improved rate of solubilization, comprising: 
 making an aqueous slurry containing calcium;    fully solubilizing said aqueous slurry in an aqueous acid solution to produce a solution containing solubilized calcium; and    drying said solution containing solubilized calcium to produce a dried, readily solubilizable product having an amorphous structure,    wherein the product is adapted for human consumption in a form selected from the group consisting of 
 (i) solubilized in an aqueous solution to produced solubilized calcium,  
 (ii) a dried powder in granular form,  
 (iii) a dried powder in tabular form,  
 (iv) incorporated into a gum,  
 (v) incorporated into pharmaceutical dose,  
 (vi) incorporated into a beverage, and  
 (vii) incorporated into a food.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of making a powder for human consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a beverage and the beverage is selected from the group consisting of tea, fruit juice, carbonated drinks and sports drinks.  
   
   
       3 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a food and the food is selected from the group consisting of candy, gelatin products and puddings.  
   
   
       4 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 1 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is solubilized in an aqueous solution to produce solubilized calcium and the method further includes the steps of: 
 solubilizing the dried compound having an amorphous structure in water to produce a drink containing solubilized calcium; and    packaging the drink in a sealed container,    wherein the drink in the sealed container has a shelf life of at least 6 months with the calcium remaining in solution for said at least 6 months.    
   
   
       5 . The method of making a powder for human or animal consumption according to  claim 4 , wherein the form of the product for human consumption selected is incorporated into a beverage and the beverage is selected from the group consisting of tea, fruit juice, carbonated drinks and sports drinks.  
   
   
       6 . A method of making a calcium containing product for subsequent consumption, comprising: 
 making an aqueous slurry containing calcium;    acidifying said aqueous slurry to produce an aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium while attaining a temperature of at least 130° F.; and    drying said solution containing solubilized calcium to produce a dried product having improved organoleptic properties adapted for incorporation in edible products and for enhanced rate of solubilization when reconstituted in aqueous solutions.    
   
   
       7 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium attains the temperature between 130° F. and 190° F.  
   
   
       8 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium attains the temperature of at least 170° F.  
   
   
       9 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium is attained by an exothermic reaction taking place during the acidification of the aqueous slurry.  
   
   
       10 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium is attained by external heat applied during the acidification of the aqueous slurry.  
   
   
       11 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein drying said aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium comprises a drying method selected from the group consisting of freeze drying, spray drying, tray drying and vacuum drying.  
   
   
       12 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein drying said aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium comprises a freeze drying.  
   
   
       13 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , further comprising the step of: 
 adding ingredients to the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, flavors and colors.    
   
   
       14 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein acidifying said aqueous slurry comprises mixing with the slurry at least one acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, malic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid.  
   
   
       15 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said dried product is substantially amorphous.  
   
   
       16 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said dried product has a substantially non-dendritic morphology.  
   
   
       17 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said dried product further comprises potassium.  
   
   
       18 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said dried product further comprises zinc.  
   
   
       19 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said dried product is fiber-free.  
   
   
       20 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 , wherein said reconstituted aqueous products do not form precipitates comprising calcium for at least six months.  
   
   
       21 . The product made by the method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 6 .  
   
   
       22 . A liquid supplement comprising: 
 water; and    solubilized calcium,    wherein the solubilized calcium is provided by the product of  claim 21 .    
   
   
       23 . The liquid supplement of  claim 22 , wherein said supplement further contains a mineral selected from the group consisting of potassium, magnesium and zinc.  
   
   
       24 . The liquid supplement of  claim 22 , wherein the supplement comprises at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, flavors and colors.  
   
   
       25 . The liquid supplement of  claim 22 , wherein the supplement contains at least 250 milligrams of solubilized calcium per 8 fluid ounces of the supplement.  
   
   
       26 . The liquid supplement of 22 claim, wherein the solubilized calcium is operative for remaining in solution in the supplement without precipitating therefrom for at least 6 months.  
   
   
       27 . A method of making a calcium containing product for subsequent consumption, comprising: 
 making an aqueous slurry containing calcium;    acidifying said aqueous slurry to produce an aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium while attaining a temperature of at least 130° F.; and    drying said solution containing solubilized calcium to produce a dried product having an at least partially amorphous structure improved.    
   
   
       28 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium attains the temperature between 130° F. and 190° F.  
   
   
       29 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium attains the temperature of at least 170° F.  
   
   
       30 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium is attained by an exothermic reaction taking place during the acidification of the aqueous slurry.  
   
   
       31 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium is attained by external heat applied during the acidification of the aqueous slurry.  
   
   
       32 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein drying said aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium comprises a drying method selected from the group consisting of freeze drying, spray drying, tray drying and vacuum drying.  
   
   
       33 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein drying said aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium comprises a freeze drying.  
   
   
       34 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , further comprising the step of: 
 adding ingredients to the aqueous solution containing solubilized calcium selected from the group consisting of sweeteners, flavors and colors.    
   
   
       35 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein acidifying said aqueous slurry comprises mixing with the slurry at least one acid selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, malic acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid.  
   
   
       36 . The method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 , wherein said dried product has a substantially non-dendritic morphology.  
   
   
       37 . The product made by the method of making a calcium containing product according to  claim 27 .  
   
   
       38 . The product of  claim 37 , wherein the product further includes one or more sugars, sugar-substitutes or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       39 . A liquid supplement comprising: 
 water; and    solubilized calcium,    wherein the solubilized calcium is provided by the product of  claim 27 .    
   
   
       40 . The liquid supplement of  claim 39 , wherein the liquid supplement further includes at least one sweetener.