Compositions and Methods for Improving Rebaudioside M Solubility

Abstract

Rebaudioside M compositions with improved aqueous solubility and methods for preparing the same are provided herein. The rebaudioside M compositions include (i) disordered crystalline compositions comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D, (ii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and steviol glycoside mixtures and/or rebaudioside B and/or NSF-02, (iii) spray-dried compositions comprising rebaudioside M, rebaudioside D and at least one surfactant, polymer, saponin, carbohydrate, polyol, preservative or a combination thereof. Sweetened compositions, such a beverages, containing the rebaudioside M compositions with improved water solubility are also provided herein.

1 . A disordered crystalline composition comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D. 
     
     
         2 . The disordered crystalline composition of  claim 1 , wherein rebaudioside M is present in about 75% to about 90% by weight and rebaudioside D is present in about 5% to about 25% by weight in a steviol glycoside mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The disordered crystalline composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition has a water solubility of about 0.3% (w/w) or greater. 
     
     
         4 . The disordered crystalline composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is X-ray amorphous and exhibits birefringence when analyzed by polarized light microscopy. 
     
     
         5 . The disordered crystalline composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is X-ray amorphous, exhibits birefringence when analyzed by polarized light microscopy and contains approximately 0.5% to about 10% water via Karl Fischer analysis. 
     
     
         6 . The disordered crystalline composition of  claim 2 , wherein the composition is X-ray amorphous, exhibits birefringence when analyzed by polarized light microscopy and displays a water weight loss of about 2% to about 8% following equilibration at 5% relative humidity. 
     
     
         7 . A rebaudioside M composition comprising the disordered crystalline composition of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A beverage comprising the disordered crystalline composition of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         12 . The beverage of  claim 11 , wherein the beverage is selected from the group consisting of colas, lemon-lime flavored sparking beverages, orange-flavored sparking beverages, grape-flavored sparkling beverages, strawberry-flavored sparkling beverages, pineapple-flavored sparkling beverages, ginger-ale, soft drinks, root beer, malt beverages, fruit juices, fruit-flavored juices, juice drinks, nectars, vegetable juices, vegetable-flavored juices, sports drinks, energy drinks, enhanced water, enhanced water with vitamins, near water drinks, coconut waters, teas, coffees, cocoa drinks, beverages containing milk components, beverages containing cereal extracts and smoothies. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The beverage of  claim 11 , wherein the pH is from about 2 to about 5. 
     
     
         17 . The beverage of  claim 11 , wherein the titratable acidity is from about 0.01 to about 1.0% by weight. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage of  claim 11 , wherein the beverage is selected from a full-calorie beverage, a mid-calorie beverage, a low-calorie beverage or a zero-calorie beverage. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of preparing a disordered crystalline composition comprising:
 (i) heating a mixture comprising solvent and a composition comprising rebaudioside M and rebaudioside D,   (ii) maintaining the mixture at a temperature for a period of time to provide a concentrated solution,   (iii) optionally decreasing the temperature, and   (iv) removing solvent from the concentrated solution.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mixture is heated and maintained at about 121° C. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the mixture is cooled to about 100° C. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein solvent is removed from the concentrated solution by spray-drying, rotary evaporation, lyophilization, tray drying, pervaporation, osmosis, reverse-osmosis, liquid extraction, absorption and adsorption. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein solvent is removed by spray-drying. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a laboratory spray-drier is used and operated at 175° C. inlet temperature and 100° C. outlet temperature. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition is, or contains, disordered crystalline material. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the composition has a water solubility of about 0.3% or greater. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)