Edible compositions including spirulina and rose petals

Abstract

Edible composition including spirulina and rose petals.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of foodstuffs, in particular food supplements, in particular to edible compositions comprising spirulina and rose petals. Furthermore, the invention relates to foodstuffs containing such edible compositions. BACKGROUND

[0002] Spirulina is a well-known dietary supplement rich in protein. In particular, spirulina contains all essential amino acids as well as beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, the B vitamins, and vitamin E. Furthermore, spirulina is characterized by its high calcium, iron, and magnesium content. This combination of health-promoting ingredients has made preparations containing spirulina extremely popular in recent years. However, consumers often find the taste and smell of spirulina-containing products unpleasant. DESCRIPTION

[0003] The aim of the present invention is to provide improved spirulina-containing compositions, in particular those having an improved taste and / or an improved smell.

[0004] A further object of the invention is to provide improved spirulina-containing compositions having improved health-promoting properties.

[0005] The object of the invention is achieved by edible compositions according to claim 1, i.e. edible compositions comprising spirulina and rose petals.

[0006] The compositions described herein are rich in proteins, β-carotene, and minerals (e.g., calcium, iron, and magnesium). Accordingly, the compositions described herein are particularly suitable for a health-conscious diet. Furthermore, the compositions are well-suited for weight loss.

[0007] Preferably, the weight ratio of spirulina to rose petals is between 5:1 and 10:0.1, more preferably between 10:1 and 10:0.1.

[0008] For the purposes of this patent application, the following definitions apply: As used herein, the terms "a", "an", "the" and similar terms used in connection with the present invention (particularly in connection with the claims) are to be construed to include both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise stated herein or clearly evident from the context.

[0009] As used herein, the term "and / or" means that either all or only one of the elements of the group may be present. For example, "A and / or B" means "only A, or only B, or both A and B." In the case of "only A," the term also includes the possibility that B is absent, i.e., "only A but not B."

[0010] As used herein, the expression "at least one of the following ingredients selected from" means that one or more of the ingredients mentioned below can be present in the ingredients according to the invention. This includes both "exactly one" of the named ingredients or several of the named ingredients. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the named ingredients are grouped together under generic terms. Accordingly, each of these ingredients can be present alone or in combination with the other ingredients. This also includes the possibility that one or more selections for the same ingredient are present (e.g. both lavender and chamomile), optionally also in combination with the other named ingredients (e.g. both lavender and chamomile, as well as Manuka honey).

[0011] The terms “including,” “containing,” and “comprehensive” are used herein in their open, non-limiting sense.

[0012] The term "edible" is generally known. Edible compositions are therefore those compositions that are suitable for consumption. Based on the present disclosure, the person skilled in the art is able to assess whether a composition is edible, i.e., suitable for consumption, or not.

[0013] Spirulina: The term "spirulina" is well known in the field of food and dietary supplements and refers to biomass obtained from cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae). Particularly suitable cyanobacteria are Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima, especially Arthrospira platensis. Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima were long systematically classified in the genus Spirulina. However, in the course of more recent research, they have been transferred to the genus Arthrospira. Nevertheless, the term "spirulina" is the term typically used in this technical field, as it has been established over many years. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the spirulina and cyanobacteria used in the present invention must be edible and thus suitable for use in food and dietary supplements.

[0014] The spirulina used in the present invention, in particular Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima, originate from Switzerland (obtained from www.spiruline-valais.ch).

[0015] Rose petals: The term "rose petals" is commonly known and refers to the petals of a rose. For the purposes of the present invention, these rose petals must be edible and thus suitable for use in foods and dietary supplements. This typically applies to rose petals of the genus Rosa. Particularly suitable for the purposes of the present invention are rose petals of fragrant roses, in particular rose petals of the varieties Rosa gallica, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa damescena, especially Rosa damescena.

[0016] The rose petals used in the present invention, in particular rose petals of the varieties Rosa gallica, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa damescena, originate from Bulgaria (obtained via Alba Grups, Bulgaria; https: / / www.roseoilbulgaria.com / en / ).

[0017] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein may further contain at least one plant component, plant powder, or plant extract. Preferably, said at least one plant component, plant powder, or plant extract is selected from the group consisting of lavender, chamomile, ginseng, rosemary, oregano, peppermint, pine, lemon balm, sage, geranium, basil, lime, aloe vera, and jasmine, and mixtures thereof. The plant components, plant powders, or plant extracts described herein originate from Bulgaria (sourced via Alba Grups, Bulgaria; https: / / www.roseoilbulgaria.com / en / ).

[0018] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein may further contain at least one vitamin (in addition to the vitamins already present in spirulina). Preferably, said at least one vitamin is selected from vitamin B-7 (also known as biotin) and vitamin C.

[0019] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein may additionally contain collagen.

[0020] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein may additionally contain honey, in particular Manuka honey. The Manuka honey mentioned originates from New Zealand or Australia. Honey can also be sourced from Bulgaria (Alba Grups, Bulgaria; https: / / www.roseoilbulgaria.com / en / ).

[0021] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein contain at least one of the following ingredients selected from the group consisting of: • a plant component, a plant powder or a plant extract selected from the group consisting of lavender, chamomile, ginseng, rosemary, oregano, peppermint, pine, lemon balm, sage, geranium, basil, lime, aloe vera, and jasmine, and mixtures thereof, and • a vitamin selected from vitamin B-7 and vitamin C, and • Manuka honey, and • Collagen.

[0022] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the edible compositions described herein may therefore contain one or more of the above-mentioned ingredients, e.g. one or more of the above-mentioned plant ingredients, plant powders or plant extracts and Manuka honey, or one or more of the above-mentioned plant ingredients, plant powders or plant extracts and a vitamin, or one or more of the above-mentioned plant ingredients, plant powders or plant extracts, Manuka honey, a vitamin, and collagen.

[0023] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein are in solid form.

[0024] In particular, the edible spirulina compositions described herein may be in the form of substantially elongated strips. Preferably, the substantially elongated strips have a substantially cylindrical shape, a substantially elliptical shape, a substantially round shape, or a substantially rectangular shape. Such substantially elongated strips may, in particular, have the shape of "spaghetti."

[0025] The rose petals can be in cut form or in powder form.

[0026] Preferably, the edible compositions described herein may also be in the form of aqueous or oily dispersions, in particular in suspended form.

[0027] In preferred embodiments, the edible compositions described herein are themselves foods, in particular dietary supplements. The term "food" as used herein also includes, in particular, those foods commonly referred to as "superfoods."

[0028] Furthermore, the compositions according to the invention are particularly suitable for adding them to a variety of other foods. In this way, common foods can be advantageously enriched with, among other things, proteins, vitamins (or vitamin precursors), and minerals. This enrichment of food products is known in the Anglo-Saxon world, for example, under the term "food fortification." Based on this disclosure, the skilled person is able to select suitable foods and add the compositions described herein to them.

[0029] Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention also relates to foods containing the edible compositions described herein. Preferably, said foods to which the edible compositions described herein are added are selected from the group consisting of: • Drinks, e.g. water, fruit juice, smoothies, coffee, tea; • Yogurt; • Cereals, e.g. muesli; • Energy balls (food product with high fiber content, often made from dates); • Ice cream; and • Pudding. Examples:

[0030] The following exemplary compositions are particularly advantageous (good taste and pleasant smell). However, these examples serve only to illustrate the invention without limiting its scope. Composition 1:

[0031] 100 g of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; in the form of elongated strips; “spaghetti-like”) mixed with 10 g of rose petals (Rosa damascena; chopped or powdered).

[0032] This corresponds to a weight ratio of spirulina to rose petals of 10:1. Composition 2:

[0033] 100 g of spirulina (Arthrospira platensis; in the form of elongated strips; “spaghetti-like”) mixed with 1 g of rose petals (Rosa damascena; chopped or powdered).

[0034] This corresponds to a weight ratio of spirulina to rose petals of 10:0.1. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited non-patent literature

[0000] https: / / www.roseoilbulgaria.com / en /

[0016] Alba Grups, Bulgaria; https: / / www.roseoilbulgaria.com / en /

[0020]

Claims

[1] Edible composition comprising spirulina and rose petals. [2] Edible composition according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of spirulina:rose petals is between 5:1 and 10:0.

1. [3] Edible composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio is between 10:1 and 10:0.

1. [4] Edible composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein spirulina is selected from the group consisting of Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima, in particular Arthrospira platensis. [5] An edible composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein rose petals are selected from rose petals of the genus Rosa. [6] Edible composition according to claim 5, wherein the rose petals are selected from the varieties Rosa gallica, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa damescena, in particular Rosa damescena. [7] An edible composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises at least one of the following ingredients selected from the group consisting of: • a plant component, a plant powder or a plant extract selected from the group consisting of lavender, chamomile, ginseng, rosemary, oregano, peppermint, pine, lemon balm, sage, geranium, basil, lime, aloe vera, and jasmine, and mixtures thereof, and • a vitamin selected from vitamin B-7 and vitamin C, and • Manuka honey, and • Contains collagen. [8] An edible composition according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the edible composition is a dietary supplement. [9] An edible composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein spirulina is in the form of elongated strips, preferably wherein the elongated strips have a cylindrical shape, elliptical shape, round shape or rectangular shape. [10] A food containing the edible composition according to any one of claims 1-7 or claim 9, selected from the group consisting of: • Drinks; • Yogurt; • Cereals; • Energy balls; • Ice cream; and • Pudding.