Sunflower leiosomal fraction and its preparation process

Abstract

A process for isolating a sunflower olioleosome fraction comprising: a) grinding sunflower seeds in an aqueous solution to obtain a sunflower seed slurry having a pH above 7.2, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added during grinding and / or to the slurry; and b) isolating the sunflower olioleosome fraction. The present invention describes a sunflower olioleosome fraction or concentrate comprising isolated and / or washed oleosomes and a reducing agent and / or an acidulant in an amount of 0.10-1.50% by weight. The present invention describes the use of the reducing agent and / or the acidulant for the prevention of green coloration.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 22155053.6, filed February 3, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to a process for isolating a sunflower lioreosome fraction from sunflower seeds.The present invention further relates to a sunflower lioreosome fraction, a sunflower lioreosome concentrate, and food and feed products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nutritional compositions, and industrial products comprising said sunflower lioreosome fraction or concentrate. [Background technology]

[0003] Oleosomes, also known as "oil bodies", "lipid bodies", "lipid droplets" or "spherosomes", are pre-emulsified droplets or vesicles of oil stored in plant seeds and used as an energy source for plant growth and metabolism.

[0004] Oleosomes are typically extracted from the cells by a process of crushing the seeds, followed by solid-liquid separation to obtain an aqueous suspension of oleosomes, which is centrifuged to separate the oleosomes from the remaining seed contents to obtain an oleosome fraction.

[0005] It is important that the process conditions for isolating the oleosomal fraction are such that the yield of the oleosomal fraction obtained from the oilseed is maximized. Unfortunately, while maximizing the yield, some of the oleosomal fractions obtained by existing processes have poor sensory quality in terms of taste and / or color. This is particularly true when isolating the oleosomal fraction from sunflower seeds.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need in the industry to identify efficient and effective methods to obtain sunflower oleosome fractions with good sensory properties. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a process for isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction, which process comprises, in order: a) grinding sunflower seeds in the presence of an aqueous solution to obtain a sunflower seed slurry having a pH above 7.2, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added during grinding and / or a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added to the obtained sunflower seed slurry; b) isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction from the sunflower seed slurry, The reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0008] The present invention further relates to a sunflower lioleosome fraction or a sunflower lioleosome concentrate comprising isolated and / or washed isolated oleosomes and a reducing agent and / or an acidulant in an amount ranging from 0.10 to 1.50% by weight based on the total dry weight of the sunflower lioleosome fraction or concentrate, wherein the reducing agent and / or the acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes for the preparation of food and feed products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nutritional compositions and industrial products, which processes comprise blending the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate according to the invention with at least one ingredient other than oleosomes.

[0010] Finally, the present invention relates to the use of a reducing agent and / or an acidulant for the prevention of green coloration of a sunflower lioreosome fraction or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate, wherein the reducing agent and / or the acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The present invention relates to a process for isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction, which process comprises, in order: a) grinding sunflower seeds in the presence of an aqueous solution to obtain a sunflower seed slurry having a pH above 7.2, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added during grinding and / or a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added to the obtained sunflower seed slurry; b) isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction from the sunflower seed slurry, The reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0012] For the process of the present invention, any type of sunflower seed belonging to the species Helianthus annuus can be used.

[0013] There are several types of sunflower seeds, each characterized by the fatty acid profile of the oil present in these seeds. Sunflower seeds contain sunflower oil, which is characterized by a typical profile of 66-72% linoleic acid, 9-13% saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids), 17-23% oleic acid, and less than 1% α-linolenic acid.

[0014] Other well-known varieties of sunflower seeds are medium oleic sunflower seeds and high oleic sunflower seeds. Typically, high oleic sunflower oil is characterized by a content of 7-11% linoleic acid, 7-11% saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid), 80-86% oleic acid, and less than 1% α-linolenic acid. Typically, medium oleic sunflower oil is characterized by a content of 24-28% linoleic acid, 7-11% saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid and stearic acid), 62-68% oleic acid, and less than 1% α-linolenic acid.

[0015] Preferably, the sunflower seeds used in the process according to the present invention are medium oleic sunflower seeds or high oleic sunflower seeds, more preferably high oleic sunflower seeds.

[0016] The process steps a) and b) and optionally the soaking and washing process steps of the process according to the invention are carried out at a temperature not exceeding 60°C, preferably 55°C, more preferably 50°C.

[0017] Furthermore, process steps a) to b) and, optionally, the soaking and washing process steps of the process according to the invention are carried out in the absence of organic solvents, which may be acetone, hexane, ethanol, etc.

[0018] Step a) Obtaining a sunflower seed slurry having a pH greater than 7.2 Sunflower seed slurry is obtained in step a) of the process according to the invention. Sunflower seed slurry is a slurry containing oleosomes, fibre and proteins. "Oleosomes", also known as "oil bodies", "lipid bodies", "lipid droplets" or "spherosomes", are pre-emulsified droplets or vesicles naturally present in cells or plant seeds for storage of oil. They are used as an energy source for plant growth and metabolism.

[0019] Typically, the sunflower seeds are washed and / or dehulled prior to grinding.

[0020] The sunflower seeds are milled using a mill such as, but not limited to, a ball mill, a toothed colloid mill, a stone mill, or a rotor-stator mill. For milling, an aqueous solution is added to the sunflower seeds prior to milling in a ratio of water to dry seeds of 15 / 1 to 3 / 1, 12 / 1 to 4 / 1, or 10 / 1 to 5 / 1. Preferably, the milling is carried out at a temperature in the range of 4 to 20°C, 4 to 10°C, or 4 to 8°C.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, the grinding of the sunflower seeds in step a) is preceded by soaking and / or washing of the sunflower seeds.

[0022] The sunflower seeds may be soaked in the aqueous solution for a period of 0.5 to 48 hours, 0.75 to 24 hours, or 1.0 to 12 hours. The sunflower seeds may be stirred during the soaking period.

[0023] The sunflower seeds are then ground with the aqueous solution. Preferably, the soaking is carried out at a temperature in the range of 4-20°C, 4-10°C, or 4-8°C.

[0024] Optionally, after the soaking period and prior to milling, the aqueous solution may be removed and the sunflower seeds washed one or more times by adding fresh aqueous solution, after which the sunflower seeds are milled with the aqueous solution.

[0025] The aqueous solution used in preparing the sunflower seed slurry, i.e. for grinding, soaking, and / or washing, is water. Optionally, the aqueous solution may be an alkaline aqueous solution having a pH of more than 7.2, 7.5 or more, or 7.8 or more. An alkaline aqueous solution such as, but not limited to, sodium hydroxide or sodium bicarbonate can be used.

[0026] The sunflower seed slurry obtained from step a) of the process according to the invention has a pH above 7.2, preferably equal to or greater than 7.5, more preferably equal to or greater than 7.8, prior to step b). The sunflower seed slurry may have a pH of 10.0 or less, preferably equal to or less than 9.5, more preferably equal to or less than 9.0. The sunflower seed slurry may have a pH in the range of 7.2-9.0, 7.5-8.5, or 7.8-8.0.

[0027] A sunflower seed slurry having a pH greater than 7.2 can be obtained by adding a concentrated alkaline solution to the sunflower seed slurry. Alternatively, a sunflower seed slurry having a pH greater than 7.2 can be obtained by using an alkaline solution to grind the sunflower seeds and optionally further adjusting the pH by adding a concentrated alkaline solution.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the reducing agent and / or acidulant added in step a) of the process is selected from the group consisting of cysteine, ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, and any combination of two or more thereof, more preferably the antioxidant is ascorbic acid and / or cysteine.

[0029] The addition of the reducing agent and / or acidulant occurs within 60 minutes, more preferably within 45 minutes, and most preferably within 30 minutes after the sunflower seed slurry is adjusted to a pH of 7.2 or greater. Preferably, the addition of the reducing agent and / or acidulant occurs before the sunflower seed slurry is adjusted to a pH of 7.2 or greater.

[0030] Alternatively, if the soaking and / or grinding is carried out in the presence of an alkaline solution having a pH of 7.2 or greater, the addition of the reducing agent and / or acidulant is carried out within 60 minutes, more preferably within 45 minutes, and most preferably within 30 minutes after the aqueous solution for soaking and / or grinding is adjusted to a pH of 7.2 or greater. Preferably, the addition of the reducing agent and / or acidulant is carried out prior to the addition of the alkaline solution for soaking and / or grinding.

[0031] In one aspect of the invention, the reducing agent and / or acidulant in step a) is added in an amount of 0.15-1.50 wt.%, 0.30-1.25 wt.%, or 0.50-1.00 wt.%, based on the total dry weight of the sunflower seed slurry.

[0032] The process step of grinding in step a) of the process according to the invention results in a sunflower seed slurry having particles with sizes in the range of 5-200 microns, 10-190 microns, or 15-180 microns.

[0033] The sunflower seed slurry contains, on a total dry matter basis: - a protein content of 12 to 28% by weight, or 15 to 25% by weight, or 17 to 23% by weight, - a lipid content of 55-70% by weight, or 58-68% by weight, or 60-65% by weight, of which at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% is contained in oleosomes; - a fibre content of 5 to 11% by weight, or 6 to 10% by weight, or 7 to 9% by weight; - The content of a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is 0.15 to 1.50% by weight, 0.30 to 1.25% by weight, or 0.50 to 1.00% by weight.

[0034] In the present invention, the term "lipid" or "lipids" encompasses tri-, di-, monoglycerides, fatty acids, and phospholipids.

[0035] In the present invention, the protein content of a composition, such as a sunflower seed slurry, a sunflower lioreosome fraction, or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate, is expressed as the total nitrogen content of the composition multiplied by 6.25, the total nitrogen content being determined according to the Dumas combustion method.

[0036] Step b) Isolating the sunflower ioreosome fraction In step b) of the process of the invention, a sunflower lioleosome fraction is isolated from a sunflower seed slurry having a pH above 7.2. Preferably, the isolation of the sunflower lioleosome fraction is performed at a temperature in the range of 4-20°C, 4-10°C, or 4-8°C.

[0037] To isolate the sunflower seed fraction, the sunflower seed slurry containing reducing agent and / or acidulant obtained from step a) can be separated into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. The separation can be performed by filtration, centrifugation or decantation. The solid fraction obtained is the fiber-rich fraction (sunflower cake). The liquid fraction contains proteins and oleosomes.

[0038] The resulting liquid fraction is subsequently further separated by applying centrifugal acceleration, which separates the filtrate into two liquid phases, namely an aqueous phase, i.e. a protein-rich fraction (sunflower milk), and an oily oleosome-containing phase (sunflower cream) (i.e. a sunflower oleosome fraction).

[0039] Alternatively, in step b) of this process, in order to isolate the sunflower seed fractions, the sunflower seed slurry containing reducing and / or acidulant obtained from step a) may be subjected to a liquid-solid-liquid separation (three-phase separation) using a centrifugal tricanter. Such a separation results in three fractions: a sunflower ioreosome fraction (cream), a fibre-rich fraction (cake) and a protein-rich fraction (milk).

[0040] In one embodiment, the process according to the invention is carried out in the absence of organic solvents, which may be acetone, hexane, ethanol, etc.

[0041] The sunflower leiosomal fraction obtained from step b) of the process according to the invention comprises proteins and lipids, with up to 40%, up to 30%, up to 20%, or up to 10% of lipids being present as free oil.

[0042] The sunflower olioosome fraction may further comprise small amounts of residual fibre in an amount of up to 0.5% by weight and / or minerals expressed as ash in an amount of up to 0.7% by weight relative to the total dry matter.

[0043] The process according to the invention results in a yield of sunflower oleosome fraction in the range of 27-55% dry weight, 30-50% dry weight or 35-45% dry weight. The yield of oleosome fraction is expressed as dry weight of oleosome fraction obtained from 100 g dry weight of dehulled sunflower seeds.

[0044] The process according to the invention was carried out on sunflower leiosomal fractions standardized to a dry matter range of 30-35% and a pH range of 6.9-7.1, using a D65 illuminant, an observation angle of 10°, excluding the specular reflection component, and a viewing diameter of 30 mm. °h in the range of 85-95, 86-94, or 87-93 and C in the range of 8.0-14.0, 8.2-13.8, or 8.4-13.6 * or °h greater than 95, 96 or 97 and C less than 10.0, 9.8 or 9.6 * , This results in a sunflower ioreosome fraction having an opalescent color, with a CIELAB color value of 0.01 to 0.01.

[0045] Each color can be represented by a number of color spaces. These spaces are standardized by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) under a set of standard conditions. CIELAB L * a * b * is a commonly used color space for the analysis of colorimetric information, where L * defines the lightness or darkness, and a * defines the redness or greenness, and b * defines the yellowness or blueness.

[0046] Hue (°h) and chromaticity (C *) is the measured L * a * b * It can be calculated based on the value.

[0047] The hue angle (°h) refers to the degree of the major spectral components such as red, green, and blue, and ranges from 0° to 360°. Angles of 0° or 360° represent red hues. Angles of 90°, 180°, and 270° represent yellow, green, and blue hues, respectively.

[0048] Color measurements are performed on sunflower ioreosome concentrates standardized to a dry matter range of 30-35% and a pH range of 6.9-7.1, using a light source D65, an observation angle of 10° and an aperture size of 30 mm.

[0049] The process of the present invention results in a sunflower ioreosome fraction that has a milky white color and good functionality while maintaining the high recovery yield obtained from sunflower seeds.

[0050] When isolating oleosomes from oil seeds, in the case of sunflower seeds, particular care must be taken to avoid green coloration of the isolated oleosomes.

[0051] In comparison, existing processes for isolating sunflower oleosome fractions solve the greening effect by washing the isolated sunflower oleosomes one or more times. However, this leads to a loss of oleosomes during each washing step, and thus a loss of the recovery yield of oleosomes from sunflower seeds. Additionally, these washing steps may also lead to a loss of certain desired functionalities of the isolated oleosomes, such as foaming ability, robustness to shear stress, and / or emulsifying ability.

[0052] Other existing processes avoid the green coloration of the isolated oleosome fraction by lowering the pH conditions during isolation to below pH 7. However, such processes result in very low recovery yields.

[0053] Additional process features Roasting In one aspect of the invention, the sunflower seeds may be subjected to a roasting process prior to step a) of the process according to the invention. Roasting may be applied using hot air at a temperature of 110-145°C for 15-60 minutes, at 115-135°C for 20-45 minutes, or at 120°C-130°C for 30-50 minutes. During roasting, a relative humidity in the range of 10-30%, 12-25%, or 15-20% may be applied. This humidity level may be achieved by injecting steam during roasting.

[0054] Roasting sunflower seeds can result in a pleasant taste and / or flavor of the oleosome fraction obtained in the process according to the invention. The taste of such oleosome fraction from sunflower seeds that have not been subjected to a roasting process can be described as a more vegetal, grassy taste. By subjecting sunflower seeds to a roasting process, the vegetal, grassy taste can be reduced or even eliminated from the oleosome fraction from these sunflower seeds. Depending on the food application in which the sunflower oleosome fraction is used, a more neutral taste is obtained that can be perceived as more pleasant. However, these sunflower oleosome fractions have substantially no or only little typical flavor associated with roasting.

[0055] Step c) Washing the sunflower rioleosome fraction and isolating the sunflower rioleosome concentrate In another embodiment, the process of the invention comprises a further process step c) of washing the sunflower lioreosome fraction obtained from step b) in an aqueous solution and isolating the sunflower lioreosome concentrate. Preferably, washing and isolation of the sunflower lioreosome concentrate is performed at a temperature in the range of 4-20°C, 4-10°C or 4-8°C.

[0056] For washing, the sunflower ioreosome fraction is washed with an aqueous solution, e.g., water or a buffer, e.g., sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3) buffer or the like. The dry matter content of the resuspended sunflower olioleosome fraction may be in the range of 7-15 wt.%, 8-14 wt.%, 9-13 wt.%. Subsequently, a sunflower olioleosome concentrate is isolated from the resuspended sunflower olioleosome fraction by applying centrifugal acceleration. The centrifugal acceleration results in two liquid phases, an aqueous phase, i.e. a protein-enriched fraction, and an oily oleosome-containing phase, i.e. the sunflower olioleosome concentrate. The washing steps may be performed 1-4 times.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, the aqueous solution for washing the sunflower lioleosome fraction in step c) has a pH in the range of 6.6 to 7.0, 6.6 to 6.9, or 6.7 to 6.8. The pH of the washed sunflower lioleosome fraction can be adjusted using an aqueous acid solution, such as a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, etc.

[0058] The washing of the sunflower rioleosome concentrate at a pH in the range of 6.6-7.0 in step c) of this process was measured using a illuminant D65, an observation angle of 10°, excluding the specular reflection component, and a viewing diameter of 30 mm, for a sunflower rioleosome fraction standardized to a dry matter in the range of 30-35% and a pH in the range of 6.9-7.1. °h in the range of 85-95, 86-94, or 87-93 and C in the range of 8.0-14.0, 8.2-13.8, or 8.4-13.6 * or °h greater than 95, 96 or 97 and C less than 10.0, 9.8 or 9.6 * , This can result in a sunflower ioreosome concentrate having an opalescent color, with a CIELAB color value of 0.01 to 0.15.

[0059] Alternatively, the aqueous solution for washing the sunflower lioreosome fraction in step c) has a pH above 7.2, whereby the aqueous solution comprises a reducing agent and / or an acidulant, which may be present in an amount to obtain a concentration in the sunflower seed slurry of 0.15-1.50% by weight, 0.30-1.25% by weight, or 0.50-1.00% by weight.

[0060] The washing of the sunflower rioleosome concentrate in step c) of this process above 7.2 and in the presence of a reducing agent and / or an acidulant was measured using a illuminant D65, an observation angle of 10°, excluding the specular reflection component, and a viewing diameter of 30 mm, for a sunflower rioleosome fraction standardized to a dry matter in the range of 30-35% and a pH in the range of 6.9-7.1. °h in the range of 85-95, 86-94, or 87-93 and C in the range of 8.0-14.0, 8.2-13.8, or 8.4-13.6 * or °h greater than 95, 96 or 97 and C less than 10.0, 9.8 or 9.6 * , This can result in a sunflower ioreosome concentrate having an opalescent color, with a CIELAB color value of 0.01 to 0.15.

[0061] Further processing of the sunflower rioleosome fraction or the sunflower rioleosome concentrate In another aspect of the invention, the sunflower oleosome fraction or the sunflower oleosome concentrate may be subjected to a heat treatment. The heat treatment may be a pasteurization treatment or an ultra-high-temperature (UHT) treatment. Pasteurization treatment involves heating the oleosomes at a temperature of 65°C-70°C in batches for 30 minutes or at 80°C-86°C for 15-30 seconds in a continuous flow process (high temperature short time pasteurization (HTST pasteurization)). UHT treatment involves heating the oleosomes at a temperature of 135°C-150°C in a continuous flow process and holding at that temperature for at least 1 second and up to 5 seconds, followed by rapid cooling to room temperature.

[0062] Optionally, the sunflower lioreosome fraction, sunflower lioreosome concentrate, heat-treated sunflower lioreosome fraction, or heat-treated sunflower lioreosome concentrate may be further subjected to a dehydration step by, but not limited to, spray drying or freeze drying.

[0063] Sunflower rioleosome fraction and sunflower rioleosome concentrate of the present invention The present invention also relates to a sunflower lioleosome fraction or a sunflower lioleosome concentrate comprising isolated and / or washed isolated oleosomes and a reducing agent and / or an acidulant in an amount of 0.10-1.50 wt.%, 0.20-1.25 wt.%, or 0.50-1.00 wt.% based on the total dry weight of the sunflower lioleosome fraction or concentrate, wherein the reducing agent and / or the acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0064] In one embodiment of the invention, the sunflower lioreosome fraction or concentrate comprises, based on total dry matter: - a protein content of 1.0-17.0%, 1.5-16.0%, 2.0-15.0% by weight; - a lipid content of 81.5 to 98.9%, 83.5 to 98.4%, or 84.5 to 97.9% by weight, of which at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% is present as oleosomes; - reducing agents and / or acidulants in an amount of 0.10-1.50 wt. %, 0.20-1.25 wt. %, or 0.50-1.00 wt. %, The reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0065] The sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate may further comprise small amounts of residual fibre in an amount of up to 0.5% by weight and / or minerals expressed as ash in an amount of up to 0.7% by weight relative to the total dry matter.

[0066] In another embodiment of the invention, the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate is further characterized by having a milky white color, measured using a D65 illuminant, a 10° observation angle, excluding the specular reflection component, and a 30 mm viewing diameter, for a sunflower lioreosome fraction standardized to a dry matter range of 30-35% and a pH range of 6.9-7.1, °h in the range of 85-95, 86-94, or 87-93 and C in the range of 8.0-14.0, 8.2-13.8, or 8.4-13.6 * or °h greater than 95, 96 or 97 and C less than 10.0, 9.8 or 9.6 * , It has a CIELAB color value of

[0067] Furthermore, the sunflower lioreosome fraction or concentrate may be characterized as having a mild, creamy sunflower taste and no bitter or unpleasant taste.

[0068] Process for preparing a product containing a sunflower leiothosome fraction or a sunflower leiothosome concentrate The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of food and feed products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nutritional compositions and industrial products, which process comprises blending the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate according to the invention with at least one ingredient other than oleosomes.

[0069] The at least one component other than oleosomes may be, but is not limited to, a protein, a carbohydrate, a fat, a vitamin, a mineral, a trace element, an essential amino acid, an essential fatty acid, and a mixture of two or more thereof. Preferably, the at least one component is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a carbohydrate, a fat, an essential amino acid, an essential fatty acid, a vitamin, and a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0070] Examples of such food and feed products include, but are not limited to, beverages such as coffee, tea, matcha, cacao, and fruit juice; dairy beverages such as raw milk, processed milk, and lactic acid beverages; various beverages, including calcium-fortified beverages and the like, and nutritionally enriched beverages such as dietary fiber-containing beverages; refrigerated or ambient dairy products such as butter, cheese, vegan cheese, yogurt, coffee cream, whipped cream, custard cream, and custard pudding; processed fatty foods such as mayonnaise, margarine, spreads, and shortening; soups; stews; condiments such as sauces and dressings; various paste-like condiments typified by kneaded mustard; jams and flour pastes. food products containing grains as a main ingredient such as bread, noodles, pasta, pizza pies, corn flakes, etc.; cakes, candies, cookies, biscuits, pancakes, chocolates, mochi, etc. from Japan, the United States, and Europe; fish paste products such as boiled fish balls, fish balls, etc.; livestock products such as ham, sausages, hamburger steaks, etc.; side dishes such as cream croquettes, pastes for Chinese cuisine, gratins, dumplings, etc.; delicately flavored foods such as shiokara, vegetables pickled in sake lees; liquid foods such as liquid foods fed through a tube; supplements; and pet foods.

[0071] While conventional processes for preparing food and feed products require an emulsification or homogenization step, the process of the present invention for preparing food and feed products does not require such a homogenization or emulsification step: a simple blending of the sunflower lioreosome fraction or sunflower lioreosome concentrate with other ingredients is sufficient.

[0072] The pharmaceutical according to the invention can be formulated to include therapeutic agents, diagnostic agents and delivery agents. The pharmaceutical further contains an active ingredient as a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. The active ingredient can be anything that is desired to be delivered to a host. The active ingredient can be a protein or peptide having therapeutic or diagnostic value. Such peptides include antigens (for vaccine formulations), antibodies, cytokines, blood clotting factors and growth hormones. An example of a pharmaceutical is a parenteral emulsion containing a sunflower lioreosome fraction or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate and a drug.

[0073] Personal care products according to the present invention include soaps, cosmetics, skin creams, facial creams, toothpaste, lipsticks, perfumes, makeup, foundations, blushers, mascaras, eye shadows, sunscreen lotions, hair conditioners, and hair colors.

[0074] Industrial products according to the invention include paints, coatings, lubricants, films, gels, drilling fluids, paper sizing, latex, building and road building materials, inks, dyes, waxes, abrasives and pesticide formulations.

[0075] The nutritional compositions according to the invention may be compositions developed to cover nutritional requirements, either as a supplement or as complete nutrition. The target population of the nutritional compositions according to the invention concerns specific groups of people, such as, but not limited to, premature infants, infants, young children, the elderly, athletes, or humans with malnutrition and / or immune system deficiencies. They may be designed for people suffering from more specific disease conditions, such as cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and late stage renal disease. In particular, the nutritional compositions may be useful for people who struggle with poor appetite, have difficulty chewing, have difficulty preparing a balanced meal, and / or are recovering from surgery or illness. If the nutritional composition is for complete nutrition, it may provide a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, and / or fat.

[0076] These nutritional compositions may be in liquid form as ready-to-drink formulas or may be used in feeding tubes. They may also be in the form of a formula base, i.e., powder or concentrated liquid, which must be dissolved in water or another fluid to prepare the ready-to-drink nutritional composition. The nutritional composition may also be in the form of a pudding or jelly, or in the form of a cookie or snack bar, or in any other form.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present invention, the nutritional composition comprises the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate in an amount of 1-70% by weight based on the dry matter of the nutritional composition, 5-65%, 10-60%, 15-55%, 20-50%, or 25-45% by weight based on the dry matter of the nutritional composition.

[0078] In another embodiment of the invention, the nutritional composition further comprises at least one non-nutritional ingredient.

[0079] Non-nutritional ingredients according to the present invention are ingredients that do not substantially increase caloric intake and / or do not substantially provide micronutrients. Examples of non-nutritional ingredients are flavourings, colouring agents, emulsifiers, acid regulators such as citric acid or lactic acid, preservatives etc. Non-nutritional ingredients may be of natural or synthetic origin.

[0080] In yet another embodiment of the invention, at least one component other than the oleosomes is not an emulsifier.

[0081] Use of reducing and / or acidulating agents The present invention further relates to the use of a reducing agent and / or an acidulant for preventing green coloration of a sunflower lioreosome fraction or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate, wherein the reducing agent and / or the acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

[0082] In one aspect the invention relates to the use, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is present during grinding of the sunflower seeds and / or is added to the resulting sunflower seed slurry.

[0083] In another embodiment the present invention relates to the use, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is present during washing of the sunflower ioreosome fraction.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to a use, wherein the reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of cysteine, ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, and any combination of two or more thereof, more preferably, the antioxidant is ascorbic acid and / or cysteine.

[0085] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to the use, wherein the reducing agent and / or acidulant is present in an amount of 0.15-1.50% by weight, 0.30-1.25% by weight, or 0.50-1.00% by weight. EXAMPLES

[0086] Step a): Preparation of sunflower seed slurry 200 g dehulled seeds from high oleic sunflower were soaked overnight in deionized water at 4° C. (1:2 seed:water ratio). The soaking water was discarded and the soaked seeds were washed with deionized water at 4° C. (1:2 seed:water ratio). The dry matter (DS%) of the washed seeds was adjusted to 18% with deionized water at 4° C. and subsequently milled in a Vorwerk Thermomix at 10700 rpm for 90 seconds. A sunflower seed slurry was obtained.

[0087] The sunflower slurry was distributed into different samples to which reducing agent and / or acidulant was added according to Table 1. To the comparison sample, no acidulant or reducing agent was added. The pH of the samples of sunflower seed slurry was adjusted with NaOH (1M) according to Table 1. The samples were left under magnetic stirring for 1 hour.

[0088] Step b): Isolation of sunflower ioreosome fraction The sunflower seed slurry of each sample was filtered through a nylon filter with a pore size of 80 μm. The filtrate was collected and subsequently centrifuged at 4700 rpm and 4° C. for 1 hour using a Thermo Scientific Legend XFR centrifuge. The centrifugation process further separated the liquid into two liquid phases: a hydrophilic phase (supernatant), which is an aqueous solution of proteins, carbohydrates, and soluble fibers, and a hydrophobic phase (creamy top layer), which is the desired sunflower rioleosome fraction. The desired sunflower rioleosome fraction was collected.

[0089] Step c) Washing the sunflower rioleosome fraction and isolating the sunflower rioleosome concentrate The sunflower ioreosome fraction was subsequently washed in buffer or salt solutions as indicated in Table 1. The pH of the different samples was further adjusted using NaOH (1 M) or HCl (1 M) according to Table 1. The samples were left under magnetic stirring for 1 h.

[0090] The samples were then centrifuged using a Thermo Scientific Legend XFR Centrifuge at 4700 rpm and 4° C. for 1 hour. After centrifugation, the creamy top layer, i.e., the sunflower ioreosome concentrate, was collected.

[0091] Color measurement For color measurements, the oleosome fraction or oleosome concentrate of each sample was standardized to a pH ranging from 6.9 to 7.1 and a dry matter content of 35% before color measurement.

[0092] L * a * b * was measured using a Konica Minolta CM-5 spectrophotometer with the following measurement settings: Measurement type: Reflectance ·Viewing diameter: 30mm -Specular component excluded (SCE) Automatic measurement: 3 times Observer angle: 10 degrees ·Light source: D65

[0093] [Table 1] * For sample 2, only the sunflower iosomal fraction was obtained and no further washing step c) was performed.

[0094] result Table 2 shows the yields of sunflower riodosome fraction obtained in comparative samples 1 and 2, and samples 1 and 2. The yields are expressed as the weight of sunflower riodosome fraction relative to the weight of sunflower seed slurry.

[0095] Additionally, Table 2 provides the color measurements of the oleosome concentrates or fractions as well as the visual color descriptions.

[0096] [Table 2]

Claims

1. 1. A process for isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction, said process comprising, in order: a) grinding sunflower seeds in the presence of an aqueous solution to obtain a sunflower seed slurry having a pH of more than 7.2, wherein a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added during said grinding and / or a reducing agent and / or an acidulant is added to the obtained sunflower seed slurry; b) isolating a sunflower ioreosome fraction from said sunflower seed slurry, The process wherein the reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

2. 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the process is a further process step c) of washing the sunflower lioreosome fraction obtained from step b) in an aqueous solution to isolate a sunflower lioreosome concentrate.

3. 3. The process of claim 2, wherein the aqueous solution in step c) has a pH above 7.2 and contains a reducing agent and / or an acidulant.

4. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the grinding of the sunflower seeds is preceded by soaking and / or washing of the sunflower seeds.

5. 5. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate is further subjected to a heat treatment step and / or a dehydration step.

6. 6. The process of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sunflower seeds are sourced from high oleic and / or medium oleic sunflower seeds.

7. 7. The process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reducing agent and / or acidulant is added in step a) in an amount of 0.15 to 1.50 wt. %, based on the total dry weight of the sunflower seed slurry.

8. 1. A sunflower lioreosome fraction or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate comprising isolated and / or washed isolated sunflower lioreosomes and a reducing agent and / or an acidulant in an amount ranging from 0.10 to 1.50% by weight based on the total dry weight of said sunflower lioreosome fraction or concentrate, said reducing agent and / or acidulant being selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

9. The sunflower ioreosome fraction comprises, based on total dry matter: - a protein content of 1.0-17.0% by weight, 1.5-16.0% by weight, 2.0-15.0% by weight; - a lipid content of 81.5-98.9%, 83.5-98.4% or 84.5-97.9% by weight, of which at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80% or at least 90% is present as oleosomes; - a reducing agent and / or an acidulant in an amount of 0.10-1.50 wt.-%, 0.30-1.25 wt.-%, or 0.50-1.00 wt.-%.

10. The sunflower leiosomal concentrate was measured using a D65 illuminant, a 10° observation angle, excluding the specular reflection component, and a viewing diameter of 30 mm, for a sunflower leiosomal fraction standardized to a dry matter range of 30-35% and a pH range of 6.9-7.

1. °h in the range of 85 to 95, 86 to 94, or 87 to 93 and C in the range of 8.0 to 14.0, 8.2 to 13.8, or 8.4 to 13.6 ＊ or ° h greater than 95, 96, or 97 and C less than 10.0, 9.8, or 9.6 ＊ , 12. The sunflower lioreosome fraction or sunflower lioreosome concentrate according to claim 10 or 11, having a CIELAB colour value of:

11. 11. A process for preparing food and feed products, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, nutritional compositions and industrial products, said process comprising blending the sunflower lioreosome fraction or the sunflower lioreosome concentrate according to any one of claims 8 to 10 with at least one ingredient other than oleosomes.

12. 1. Use of a reducing agent and / or an acidulant for preventing green coloration of a sunflower lioreosome fraction or a sunflower lioreosome concentrate, wherein said reducing agent and / or acidulant is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, allyl isothiocyanate, cysteine, glutathione, dithiothreitol, sodium bisulfite, citric acid, malic acid, carnosic acid, any derivatives thereof, and any combination of two or more thereof.

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