Beverage nanoemulstions produced by high shear processing

Abstract

The present disclosure relates beverage nanoemulsions and methods for making such beverage nanoemulsions. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods for making beverage nanoemulsions using high shear processing.

1 .- 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A beverage nanoemulsion comprising:
 (a) an oil in an amount from 12 wt % to 40 wt %;   (b) an emulsifier in an amount from 1 wt % to 30 wt %;   (c) optionally a preservative; and   (b) water;   wherein the nanoemulsion has a particle size of d95 from 0.05 micron to 1 micron and a viscosity of 2800 cp at 10 s −1  to 50,000 cp at 10 5 −1 ; and   wherein the beverage nanoemulsion is not processed through a high pressure homogenizer during preparation.   
     
     
         30 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the oil is a flavorless oil selected from the group consisting of medium chain triglycerides, grapeseed oil, soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower seed oil, peanut oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the oil is a flavor oil selected from the group consisting of citrus oil, cola oil, almond oil, grapefruit oil, cinnamon oil, lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, peppermint oil, tangerine oil, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the oil is a hydrophobic clouding agent selected from group consisting of sterol esters, stanol esters, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the oil is present in an amount from 14 wt % to 28 wt %. 
     
     
         34 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, modified starch, pectin, xanthan gum, guar gum, propylene glycol alginate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 29 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount from 20 wt % to 30 wt %. 
     
     
         36 . The nanoemulsion of any of  claim 29 , wherein the nanoemulsion has a particle size of d95 from 0.2 micron to 0.8 micron. 
     
     
         37 . A beverage nanoemulsion prepare by a method comprising mixing a mixture comprising an oil, an emulsifier, and an optional preservative, with a high shear mixer at a shear rate of 20,000 s −1  to 300,000 s −1  to obtain the nanoemulsion, wherein the mixture has a viscosity of 2800 cp at 10 s −1  to 50,000 cp at 10 s −1  during at least a part of the mixing;
 wherein the nanoemulsion has a particle size of d95 from 0.05 micron to 1 micron; and   wherein the mixture is not processed through a high pressure homogenizer.   
     
     
         38 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 37 , wherein the mixture is mixed at a shear rate of 100,000 s −1  to 300,000 s −1 . 
     
     
         39 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 37 , wherein the oil is present in an amount from 12 wt % to 40 wt %. 
     
     
         40 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 37 , wherein the oil is present in an amount from 14 wt % to 28 wt %. 
     
     
         41 . The nanoemulsion of  claim 37 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount from 10 wt % to 30 wt %. 
     
     
         42 . A method for preparing a beverage nanoemulsion, comprising:
 mixing a mixture comprising an oil, an emulsifier, and an optional preservative, with a high shear mixer at a shear rate of 20,000 s −1  to 300,000 s −1  to obtain the nanoemulsion, wherein the mixture has a viscosity of 2800 cp at 10 s −1  to 50,000 cp at 10 s −1  during at least a part of the mixing;   wherein the nanoemulsion has a particle size of d95 from 0.05 micron to 1 micron; and   wherein the mixture is not processed through a high pressure homogenizer.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the oil is present in an amount from 12 wt % to 40 wt %. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the emulsifier is present in an amount from 10 wt % to 30 wt %. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the mixture is mixed at a shear rate of 150,000 s −1  to 300,000 s −1 . 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the mixture comprises a preservative, and wherein the preservative is selected from citric acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, alkali metal salts thereof, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the preservative is present in an amount from 0.15 wt % to 0.3 wt %. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 43 , further comprising adding water to the nanoemulsion to obtain a diluted nanoemulsion, wherein the diluted nanoemulsion contains 6 wt % to 10 wt % of the oil.