Process for co-crystallizing sucrose and a natural sweetener and the product thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a preparation process of a co-crystal made of sugar and a natural sweetener and, eventually, another aggregate and with said product. The process is further related with co-crystallizing sucrose and a natural sweetener in a vacuum pan under controlled pressure and temperature conditions and separating the crystal from the sugar juice. At the end of the process, the co-crystallized sub-products are used for producing a low calorie content liquid sweetener such that in a high percentage all the stock material is used.

1 . A low calorie liquid product comprising:
 about 15 to about 60% (w/w) of sucrose;   about 0.01 to about 8% (w/w) of natural sweetener; and   about 40 to about 85% (w/w) water,   
       wherein the low calorie liquid product has a sweetening power of about 1.2 to about 10 times that of sugar. 
     
     
         2 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 1 , wherein the natural sweetener product is selected from the group consisting of stevia,  Opuntia ficus -indica L cactus pear fruit,  Momordica grosvenorii  fruit calonil,  Thaumatococcus daniellii  thaumatin, corn derivatives, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 1 , wherein the natural sweetener is stevia. 
     
     
         4 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 1 , wherein the sucrose and the natural sweetener form co-crystals. 
     
     
         5 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 4 , wherein the size of the co-crystals is about 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         6 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 4 , wherein the size of the co-crystals is about 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 1  further comprising an aggregate. 
     
     
         8 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 7 , wherein the aggregate is selected from the group consisting of calcium, citric acid, a vitamin, fiber, a mineral, an herb extract, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A consumable product comprising a low calorie liquid product according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A consumable product according to  claim 9 , wherein the consumable product is selected from the group consisting of a bakery item, an ice-cream, a confectionary item, a carbonated beverage, a coffee, a tea, a juice, a flavored water, an energy beverage, an alcoholic beverage, a lactic beverage, a soda, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . A low calorie liquid product comprising:
 about 40 to about 50% of sucrose (w/w);   about 0.5 to about 3% of natural sweetener (w/w); and   about 40 to about 85% (w/w) water, and   
       wherein the low calorie liquid product has a preferred sweetening power of about 1.2 to about 3 times that of sugar. 
     
     
         12 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 11 , wherein the natural sweetener product is selected from the group consisting of stevia,  Opuntia ficus -indica L cactus pear fruit,  Momordica grosvenorii  fruit calonil,  Thaumatococcus daniellii  thaumatin, corn derivatives, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 12 , wherein the natural sweetener is stevia. 
     
     
         14 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 11 , wherein the sucrose and the natural sweetener form co-crystals. 
     
     
         15 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 14 , wherein the size of the co-crystals is about 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm. 
     
     
         16 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 14 , wherein the size of the co-crystals is about 0.6 mm. 
     
     
         17 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 11  further comprising an aggregate. 
     
     
         18 . A low calorie liquid product according to  claim 17 , wherein the aggregate is selected from the group consisting of calcium, citric acid, a vitamin, fiber, a mineral, an herb extract, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . A consumable product comprising a low calorie liquid product according to  claim 11 . 
     
     
         20 . A consumable product according to  claim 19 , wherein the consumable product is selected from the group consisting of a bakery item, an ice-cream, a confectionary item, a carbonated beverage, a coffee, a tea, a juice, a flavored water, an energy beverage, an alcoholic beverage, a lactic beverage, a soda, and combinations thereof.