Chia seed beverage and related method

Abstract

A beverage is disclosed that is effective for enhancing gastrointestinal regularity and heart health. It is formed by a liquid comprising fruit derived juices, water or naturally or artificially flavored water. A composition of matter is mixed within the liquid in a shelf stable pasteurized beverage form and formed from sterilized whole seed extracted from Salvia hispanica L. The resulting beverage exhibits a pH dependent viscosity requiring no additional thickening agents and suitable as a beverage for human consumption.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based upon prior filed provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 020,500 filed Jan. 11, 2008; and provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 020,519 filed Jan. 11, 2008; and provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 020,539 filed Jan. 11, 2008; and provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 020,583 filed Jan. 11, 2008; and provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 020,590 filed Jan. 11, 2008; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to the field of chia seed products and derivatives of chia seed products and related methods and uses, for example, beverages formed from chia seeds.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Soybeans have been cultivated for many years throughout the world forming a food staple of extraordinary value when its seeds are further processed and refined into its component oil and flour by well-known processes. Unfortunately, soybean seed contains very low lev...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019]In accordance with a non-limiting example, a beverage is effective for enhancing gastrointestinal regularity and heart health. It is formed by a liquid comprising fruit derived juices, water, or naturally or artificially flavored water. A composition of matter is mixed within the liquid in a shelf stable pasteurized beverage form, and formed from sterilized whole seed extracted from Salvia hispanica L. The resulting beverage exhibits a pH dependent viscosity requiring no additional thickening agents and is suitable as a beverage for human consumption.

[0022]In another aspect, the whole seed is added directly to dissolved beverage ingredients and stirred from between about 1 to about 24 hours at between about 5 to about 25 degrees Centigrade to effect gel coat formation of the seed and associated beverage thickening. This can be followed by flash or conventional pasteurization to prevent any post bottling seed germination and enhancing shelf life without requiring additional thickening agents. In another aspect, the beverage is thickened by adding one or more acidulants to bring the pH of the final beverage to between about 3 to about 6.5. At least one of various lipophilic or hydrophilic ingredients can be added.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, soybean seed contains very low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acid esters (PUFA's) specifically removed by processes such as partial or total hydrogenation of the oil, which removes mono and polyunsaturated fatty acid esters.

Unfortunately, this seed, e.g., the seed's meal, also contains significant quantities of toxic cyanogenic glycosides, Vitamin B antagonists and phytoestrogenic lignans making the seed meal undesirable for human consumption.

The use of linseed oil in these applications relies on the oils lack of oxidative stability.

Daily recommended human seed consumption is limited in many parts of the world due to the high level of cyanogenic glycosides found in the whole seeds.

These produce toxic hydrogen cyanide once exposed to the stomach's low pH environment, certain vitamin antagonists and estrogenic lignans, Thus, flax seed or flax seed meal is generally not considered to be a good plant based source of protein or fiber due to its toxic components, antagonists and estrogenic lignans found in the seed meal.

Hydrolysates are predigested, partially hydrolyzed whey proteins which consequently are more easily absorbed, but their cost is generally higher.

However, whey protein contains little or no soluble or insoluble fiber and no PUFA content.

It is unstable, however.

These oils, which are very rich in the polyunsaturated triglycerides of ALA and LA, are extremely unstable once exposed to any oxidative potential, including the oxygen found in air.

Therefore, it has been found that exposure of such the solvent extracted seed oil to air results in rapid oxidative degradation of the oil and accompanying oil rancidity, not unlike the oils derived from flax seed.

Thus, the native oils that are extracted from Salvia hispanica L. exhibit very poor shelf life and present a significant challenge for shelf life stabilization.