Whey Protein Composition with a Reduced Astringency

Abstract

The invention relates to a sterilized liquid or semi-solid acid enteral composition comprising per 100 ml 9 to 20 g of non-hydrolysed globular proteins, fat and at least 100 mg of divalent metal cations and having a pH ranging between 3 and 5. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a composition according to the invention, comprising a step wherein at least the non-hydrolysed globular proteins are subjected to a direct steam injection (DSI) at specific holding values, such as a holding temperature of 100 to 140° C. during a holding time of about 0.5 to 10 seconds, followed by a homogenization step and a sterilization step The composition according to the invention has a reduced astringency and can be used for medical purposes, such as for stimulating muscle protein synthesis in a mammal, in particular for treating sarcopenia, and for specific groups of people, such as elderly and sportsman.

1 . A sterilized liquid or semi-solid acid enteral nutritional composition comprising per 100 ml of said composition 9 to 20 g of non-hydrolysed globular protein, fat, and at least 100 mg of divalent metal cations and having a pH ranging between 3 and 5. 
     
     
         2 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pH ranges between 3.7 and 4.3. 
     
     
         3 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stabilizing polysaccharide selected from the group consisting of (high) methoxy pectin and carboxymethyl cellulose and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of divalent metal cations ranges between 100 and 600 mg per 100 ml. 
     
     
         5 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of non-hydrolysed globular protein ranges between 9 and 16 g. 
     
     
         6 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the divalent metal cation is selected from the group consisting of Ca and Mg and any mixture thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the globular protein is selected from the group consisting of whey protein, pea protein, soy protein, and any mixture thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the globular protein comprises whey protein and the source of whey protein is selected from the group consisting of whey protein concentrate (WPC), whey protein isolate (WPI), and any mixture thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of non-hydrolysed globular protein is at least 85 weight % of the total proteinaceous matter in the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising free amino acid. 
     
     
         11 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , said fat providing between 15 to 65% of the total energy amount of the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising carbohydrate, said carbohydrate providing between 20 to 60% of the total energy amount of the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition is a liquid and the viscosity of the composition is lower than 100 mPa·s, measured at 20° C. at a shear rate of 100 s −1 . 
     
     
         14 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the pH is equal to about 4.0. 
     
     
         29 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of non-hydrolysed globular protein is equal to about 10 g per 100 ml of the composition. 
     
     
         30 . The nutritional composition according to  claim 1  further comprising free branched chain amino acid.