Powdered food or beverage additive composition and methods of use thereof

Abstract

Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a food or beverage additive composition as described here, methods of manufacturing or preparing the additive composition described here, a dispersion comprising the additive composition as described here, and methods of forming a food or beverage product comprising the additive composition described here.

Description

Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT POWDERED FOOD OR BEVERAGE ADDITIVE COMPOSITION AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 63 / 589,512, filed October 11, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to, but not limited to, food science or food chemistry. In particular, food and beverage additives that provide an increase in nutritional content, taste, or appearance. BACKGROUND

[0003] Food or beverage additives can be added to food and beverages in order to preserve the shelf life, improving the consistency, texture, flavor, or appearance, or increasing the nutritional value of food and beverages. Solid additives are convenient, but present issues with dissolving properly, thus resulting in clumps or a gritty texture. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved food or beverage additive that enhances consistency, texture, flavor, appearance, and nutritional value in food or beverage products, as well as addresses the known difficulties related to solubility and clumping. SUMMARY

[0004] In accordance with the foregoing objectives and others, the present disclosure provides a food or beverage additive composition, comprising: (a) a water-soluble gum; (b) at least two amino acids; (c) an electrolyte; and (d) an anti-caking agent. Some aspects of the additive composition are directed to a solid additive composition, for example, a powdered additive composition. In additional aspects of the additive composition described here, the additive composition comprises a weight ratio of the water- soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids of 0.01 or greater, 1 or less, or 0.01–1.

[0005] Other embodiments of the disclosure provide a method of manufacturing or preparing the additive composition described here, comprising: (a) drying ingredients selected from the group consisting of: a water-soluble gum, at least two amino acids, electrolytes, anti-caking agents, flavorants, botanicals, effervescence system ingredients, and carriers, or any combinations thereof, forming dried ingredients; (b) grinding the dried ingredients, forming ground ingredients; and (c) mixing the ground ingredients, forming the additive composition of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments provide for a method of manufacturing or preparing the additive composition described here, comprising: mixing powdered ingredients: a water-soluble gum and at least two amino acids, and optionally additional ingredients, such as but not limited to, electrolytes, anti-caking agents, flavorants, botanicals, effervescence system ingredients, and carriers, or any combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient toCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT allow for complete dissolution of the powdered ingredients and configured to provide health, nutritional, or desired benefits, such as but not limited to, ingredients selected from the group consisting of: fats, lipids, carbohydrates, additional proteins, water, and nutrients, such as for example vitamins, minerals, and other additives, e.g., electrolytes, enzymes, algae, botanicals, flavorants, probiotics, prebiotics, stimulants, anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, and the like.

[0006] In some embodients, a method of preparing a powdered food or beverage additive composition is provided. Such method comprises combining a powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids in a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater, 1 or less, or 0.01–1; and mixing the combined powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids. Some aspects of such a method provide a water-soluble gum that decreases time to solution by 70% or less, greater than 0%, or 0%–70% in the presence of water-soluble gum as compared to time to solution in the absence of water-soluble gum. In another aspect of the method, the at least two amino acids and / or the water-soluble gum comprises a particle size of 45 microns or greater; 500 microns or less; or 45 microns to 500 microns. Further aspects of the described method provide a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum to the at least two amino acids of 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1. In some aspects of the disclosed method, the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

[0007] Other embodiments of the disclosure provide for a dispersion, comprising: (a) the additive composition as described here or as produced by any of the methods disclosed here; and (b) a liquid. Some aspects provide for such dispersions, where the dispersion is formulated for enteral administration. In additional aspects, the dispersion disclosed here is formulated as a high-protein formulation.

[0008] Further embodiments described here are directed to a method, comprising: (a) combining the additive composition of the disclosure or produced by any of the methods described here, and a liquid; and (b) mixing the liquid containing the additive composition until dissolved, thereby forming a food or beverage product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 represents the results of exemplary solubility tests of gum acacia (“GA”) and amino acids (“AA”; 3 g / L; 100 mL water; 70.2°F±1.0) under various parameters. The two amino acids (“2AA”) tested are aspartic acid (50% w / w) and serine (50% w / w. The particle sizes for gum acacia (fine) and gum acacia (granulated) are 63 microns and 200 microns, respectively. The Control does not include gum acacia (“GA”) and only contains the indicated amino acids (“AA”). The five amino acids (“5AA”) tested are aspartic acid (26% w / w), serine (24% w / w), threonine (21% w / w), tyrosine (5%Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT w / w), valine (24% w / w). The eight amino acids (“8AA”) tested are aspartic acid (16% w / w), glycine (9% w / w), isoleucine (15% w / w), lysine (11% w / w), serine (15% w / w), threonine (14% w / w), tyrosine (3% w / w), and valine (17% w / w). Each of the amino acids of the formulations have a particle size of 149 microns. The “Unmilled” amino acids have a particle size of 149 microns to 354 microns.

[0010] FIG.2 represents the results of solubility tests of gum acacia (“GA”) and amino acids (“AA”; 5 g / L; 100 mL water; 70.2°F±1.0) under various parameters. The particle size for gum acacia (fine) is 63 microns. The Control does not include gum acacia and only includes the indicated amino acids. The 5AA and 8AA formulations have the same parameters as described in FIG.1.

[0011] FIG.3 represents the results of solubility tests of gum acacia (“GA”) and amino acids (“AA”; 8 g / L; 100 mL water; 70.2°F±1.0) under various parameters. The particle size for gum acacia (fine) is 63 microns. The Control does not include gum acacia and only includes the indicated amino acids. The 5AA and 8AA formulations have the same parameters as described in FIG.1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of the disclosure that may be embodied in various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments of the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

[0013] All terms used herein are intended to have their ordinary meaning in the art unless otherwise provided. All concentrations are in terms of percentage by weight of the specified component relative to the entire weight of the composition, unless otherwise defined.

[0014] As used herein, “a” or “an” shall mean one or more. As used herein when used in conjunction with the word “comprising,” the words “a” or “an” mean one or more than one. As used herein “another” means at least a second or more.

[0015] As used herein, all ranges of numeric values include the endpoints and all possible values disclosed between the disclosed values. The exact values of all half-integral numeric values are also contemplated as specifically disclosed and as limits for all subsets of the disclosed range. For example, a range of from 0.1% to 3% specifically discloses a percentage of 0.1%, 1%, 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5%, and 3%. Additionally, a range of 0.1 to 3% includes subsets of the original range including from 0.5% to 2.5%, from 1% to 3%, from 0.1% to 2.5%, etc. It will be understood that the sum of all weight % of individual components will not exceed 100%.

[0016] The terms “additive”, “food or beverage additive”, “food additive”, and “beverage additive” are all used interchangeably here, unless otherwise specified. These terms are used here to mean substances or ingredients added to a food (“food additive”) or a beverage (“beverage additive”) to improve the food or the beverage in nutritional value, taste, texture, or consumption safety, or in anyCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT way when compared to the food or the beverage without the “additive”. As used here, a “food or beverage additive” can refer to and used interchangeably with a “additive composition”.

[0017] A term used in its broadest sense and may refer to an “amino acid” in its many different chemical forms including a free amino acid (i.e., an individual amino acid, where the amino acid comprises a group of organic molecules containing a central carbon atom, an amino group (–NH2), a carboxyl group (–COOH), and an organic R group, where amino acids differ from each other in the specific R group. A free amino acid or free-form amino acid is not bound to any other molecule, including for example, another amino acid, protein, metal, ligand). Amino acids can include its physiologically active salts or esters, its combinations with its various salts, its analog forms, its derivative forms, its free-form, its L-form, its D-form, or in some embodiments, its peptides. Amino acids can be selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, or salts or esters thereof, or analogs or derivatives thereof. It was surprisingly found that the water-soluble gum described here increased the solubility of any amino acid alone or in combination with another amino acid, and accordingly, the additive composition of the disclosure, can include any amino acid, amino acid chelate, peptide, protein, or analog or derivative thereof that would be beneficial in increasing protein levels in a subject. A high- protein food or beverage product of the disclosure can contain a protein level of 5g or more (e.g., 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 93, 95); 90 g or less (e.g., 88, 86, 84, 82, 80, 78, 76, 74, 72, 70, 68, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2); or 5g–90g (e.g., 6g–89g; 7g–88g; 8g–87g; 9g–86g; 10g–85g; 11g– 84g; 12g–83g; 13g–82g; 14g–81g; 15g–80g).

[0018] As used here, the term “botanical” includes plants or plant parts that provide therapeutic, flavor, or scent properties. The “botanical” can include “botanical extracts” or isolated and / or concentrated botanicals.

[0019] The term “carrier” refers to a diluent, adjuvant, excipient, or vehicle with which the composition described here is administered. Examples of suitable carriers are described in “Remington’s Pharmaceutical Sciences” by E. W. Martin. An effective amount of the ingredients of the additive composition described here, together with a suitable amount of carrier so as to provide the form for proper administration to the subject in need are described here. The solid additive composition of the disclosure, once dissolved, should suit the enteral mode of administration.

[0020] By “consist essentially” it is meant that only the listed components along with the normal impurities present in commercial materials present at levels which do not affect the operation of theCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT embodiments disclosed herein, for instance at levels less than 5% by weight or less than 1% or even 0.5% by weight.

[0021] As used herein, “dispersion” is meant to be a mixture where one substance is distributed in another. For example, a dispersion of the disclosure includes a mixture of the additive composition described here in a liquid. Such dispersions can include a homogeneous mixture where the powdered additive composition is primarily dissolved in the liquid, such as in a solution. Such dispersions can also include a heterogeneous mixture where the powdered additive composition is incompletely dissolved in the liquid, where some of the particles of the powdered additive composition may settle out of the mixture, such as in a suspension.

[0022] The term “effervescence system” as used here refers to a mechanism for creating effervescence, which is the release of gas bubbles in a liquid, creating bubbles in a food or a beverage. This effervescence system can be incorporated into the food or beverage additive composition described here.

[0023] As used herein, “electrolyte” and “electrolyte mixture” are interchangeable, where the food or beverage additive composition can comprise one or more electrolytes. Electrolytes are minerals that are electrically charged when dissolved in water. They are important in various functions for mammalians, including but not limited to, hydration, enhancing flavor, assisting in nutrient absorption, maintaining pH balance, and for preservation.

[0024] The term “gum” as used here refers to a substance typically derived from plants that can be used for thickening, emulsifying, or stabilizing food and beverage products, and can also enhance the texture, consistency, and shelf-life of such food and beverage products. “Water-soluble gums” are soluble in water and can form a viscous solution. The terms “gum” or “water-soluble gums” (used interchangeably here) also include salts such as, but not limited to, those salts of alginic acid (e.g., calcium alginate, potassium alginate, and sodium alginate) and calcium sulfate.

[0025] The terms “solid” “powder”, and “particulate” (used interchangeably here) to describe the additive composition or its ingredients (e.g., water-soluble gum, amino acids, electrolytes, anti-caking agent, flavorants, botanicals, or additional ingredients) mean a solid, particulate form, which can range from fine or granulated particles.

[0026] By “subject” or “individual’ as used here is meant to mean a mammal, including but not limited to, bovine, canine, equine, feline, ovine, primates, such as humans or non-human mammals.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “treat,” treating,” “treatment,” and the like refer to reducing or ameliorating a condition or a disorder and / or symptoms associated therewith. It will be appreciated that, although not precluded, treating a condition or disorder does not require that the disorder, condition or symptoms associated therewith, be completely eliminated. Treatment can result in a reduction orCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT amelioration of the condition or disorder, or its symptoms, or result in the return to a normal, healthy state.

[0028] Additive Composition

[0029] The disclosure features “food or beverage additive” and “additive” (used interchangeably here) compositions and methods of making and using the same. The disclosure is based, at least in part, on the discovery that for solid additives, water-soluble gum improves the solubility of the additive composition described here, which includes at least two amino acids, as opposed to other powdered compositions without a water-soluble gum, which can result in clumping. Accordingly, it was found that the combination of a water-soluble gum and the amino acids in a powdered additive composition reduced or avoided clumping, while producing a high-protein food or beverage product.

[0030] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a solid, e.g., powdered, food or beverage additive composition, comprising: (1) a water-soluble gum; (2) at least two amino acids; (3) an electrolyte or electrolyte mixture; and (4) an anti-caking agent. The solid additive composition of the disclosure, in some embodiments, further comprises a flavorant, one or more botanical extracts, any other ingredient that enhances the composition for its purpose, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments of the disclosure are directed to a powdered additive composition, comprising: (1) a water-soluble gum; and (2) at least two amino acids selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine, where the powdered additive composition can be combined with a food or beverage to produce a high- protein food or beverage product. In some embodiments, additional ingredients, such as the electrolyte and anti-caking agent, can contribute to increasing solubility of the additive composition in a liquid.

[0031] Water-soluble Gum or Water-soluble Gum Ingredient

[0032] In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum of the additive composition described here can include any gum that improves the texture, stability, or shelf life of a food or a beverage to which it is added. The gum of the disclosure is water-soluble and facilitates the solubility of amino acids that are also present in the additive composition. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble gums include: gum Arabic (or gum acacia, acacia gum), guar gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carob gum (aka Locust bean gum or carob bean gum), cellulose gum, carrageenan, agar-agar, and salts, including but not limited to, sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, and calcium sulfate, or any combinations of the preceding gums, including salts. For example, in one embodiment, the additive composition comprises a modified gum arabic (e.g. from acacia Senegal), where the acacia gum is a prebiotic that assists with digestion, regulates bowel movements, and supports beneficial bacterial growth. See, e.g., Elnour et al. Int J Health Sci (Qassim), 17(6):4-5, 2023, Nov-Dec, which is incorporated herein by reference for its teachings that gum Arabic is a natural prebiotic. Such a modifiedCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT gum Arabic or acacia gum can also have improved solubility, emulsifying, stabilizing, thickening, anti- inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-nitrosative properties, and increase levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, or any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum has a particle size of: 45 microns or greater (e.g., 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns or less (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 45 microns to 500 microns (e.g., 48 microns to 497 microns; 51 microns to 494 microns; 54 microns to 491 microns; 57 microns to 488 microns; 60 microns to 485 microns; 63 microns to 482 microns; 66 microns to 479 microns; 69 microns to 476 microns; 72 microns to 473 microns; 75 microns to 470 microns; 78 microns to 467 microns; 81 microns to 464 microns; 84 microns to 461 microns; 87 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns to 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns; 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns). In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum has a particle size 45 mesh (or 354 microns). In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum has a particle size of 70 mesh (or 200 microns). In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum has a particle size of 230 mesh (or 63 microns). In some embodiments, the mean particle size of the water-soluble gum ingredient, for example, is greater than or equal to 0.1 micron (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.9, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5, 10.7, 10.9, 11.1, 11.3, 11.5, 11.7, 11.9); less than or equal to 10 microns (e.g., 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9, 8.8, 8.6,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT 8.4, 8.2, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7, 6.8, 6.6, 6.4, 6.2, 6, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, 5.2, 5, 4.8, 4.6, 4.4, 4.2, 4, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4, 3.2, 3, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2); and ranges between 0.25 micron – 4 microns (e.g., 0.3 micron – 3.5 microns; 0.5 micron – 3 microns; 0.8 micron – 2.5 microns; 1 micron – 2.25 microns; 1.2 microns – 2 microns). In some embodiments, the water-soluble gum comprises a percentage by weight of water-soluble gum relative to the entire additive composition weight (aka weight basis) of at least 5% or greater (e.g., 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53); 50% or less (e.g., 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2); or 5% – 50% (e.g., 6% – 45%; 7% – 40%; 8% - 35%; 9% - 30%; 10% - 28%; 11% - 27%; 12% - 26%; 13% - 25%; 14% - 24%; 15% - 23%; 16% - 22%; 17% - 21%; 18% - 20%). Additional embodiments provide for additive compositions described here having a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the total amino acids of: 0.01 or greater (e.g., 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5); 1 or less (e.g., 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02, 0.01, 0.008); or 0.01–1 (e.g., 0.02–0.99; 0.07–0.98; 0.08–0.97; 0.09–0.96; 0.1–0.95; 0.11–0.94; 0.12–0.93; 0.13–0.92; 0.14–0.91; 0.15–0.9; 0.16–0.89; 0.17–0.88; 0.18–0.87; 0.19–0.86; 0.2–0.85; 0.21–0.84; 0.22–0.83; 0.23–0.82; 0.24–0.81; 0.25–0.8; 0.26–0.79; 0.27–0.78; 0.28–0.77; 0.29–0.76; 0.3–0.75; 0.31–0.74; 0.32–0.73; 0.33–0.72; 0.34–0.71; 0.35–0.7; 0.36–0.69; 0.37–0.68; 0.38–0.67; 0.39–0.66; 0.4–0.65; 0.41–0.64; 0.42–0.63; 0.43–0.62; 0.44–0.61; 0.45–0.6; 0.46–0.59; 0.47–0.58; 0.48–0.57; 0.49–0.56; 0.5–0.55; 0.51–0.54; 0.52–0.53).

[0033] Amino Acids or Amino Acid Ingredient

[0034] In some embodiments, the at least two amino acids ingredient of the additive composition described here can include those amino acids that are described in U.S. Patent No. 8,993,522; U.S. Patent No. 10,322,109; U.S. Patent No. 10,758,506; U.S. Patent No. 10,940,137; U.S. Patent No. 11,357,747; U.S. Patent No. 11,752,132; US20190046504A1; US20140377374; US20150297636; US20170326088; US20220347143; US20230210798; US20230149335; WO2012040707; WO2013119917; WO2016085735; WO2021247652; and WO2022006397, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein for the teachings of various amino acids and combinations for use in the additive compositions described here. One embodiment of the disclosure provides additive compositions as described here comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: serine and valine. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the additive compositions described here comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of two or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. Other embodiments provide for the additive compositions described here, where the additive compositions comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of one or two or more amino acids selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT pyrrolysine, selenocysteine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, valine, derivatives and / or analogs thereof, D- or L-form thereof, mimetics thereof, natural or synthetic forms thereof, peptides thereof, and the like. Further embodiments provide for additive compositions described here comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of two or more amino acids selected from: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. In some embodiments, the additive composition of the disclosure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of: serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. Another embodiment provides for additive compositions of the disclosure comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: serine and valine, and one or more of: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and tyrosine. Some embodiments are directed to additive compositions of the disclosure comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Other embodiments of the disclosure encompass additive compositions described here comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. In one embodiment, the additive composition of the disclosure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of: aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Further embodiments provide additive compositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Additional embodiments are directed to additive compositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid and proline, and at least one of: alanine, arginine, glycine, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. Some embodiments provide additive compositions comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, proline, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. In one embodiment, the additive compositions of the disclosure comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of: alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, proline, serine, threonine, and tyrosine. Additional embodiments are directed to additive compositions of the disclosure comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid, isoleucine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. In a further embodiment, the additive compositions described here comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of: glycine, lysine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Other embodiments provide additive compositions of the disclosure comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine. In some embodiments, the additive composition of the disclosure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of amino acids: aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Other embodiments provide for additive compositions described here comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of amino acids: alanine, aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine. In additional embodiments, the additive composition of the disclosure comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of amino acids: aspartic acid, isoleucine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. Further embodiments provide for additive compositions of the disclosure comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of amino acids: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine. In some embodiments, the additive compositions described here provide for amino acids comprising, consistingCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT essentially of, or consisting of: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and proline. Further embodiments describe the additive composition of the disclosure containing amino acids: arginine, asparagine, glycine, leucine, and tryptophan. In other embodiments, the additive composition of the disclosure contains: cysteine, glycine, lysine, proline, and tyrosine. In some embodiments, the additive composition of the disclosure contains: alanine, glutamine, glycine, and serine. Further embodiments provide for the additive composition described here containing at least two amino acids selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine. Additional embodiments of the additive compositions described here relate to the amino acids present in ratios relative to another amino acid. Any of the amino acids may be present in the additive composition in a ratio with another amino acid, where one of the amino acids to another of the amino acids has a decimal ratio of 0.1 or greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.9, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5); 10 or less (e.g., 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9, 8.8, 8.6, 8.4, 8.2, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7, 6.8, 6.6, 6.4, 6.2, 6, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, 5.2, 5, 4.8, 4.6, 4.4, 4.2, 4, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4, 3.2, 3, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02); or 0.1–10 (e.g., 0.2–9.9, 0.3–9.8, 0.4–9.7, 0.5–9.6, 0.6–9.5, 0.7– 9.4, 0.8–9.3, 0.9–9.2, 1–9.1, 1.1–9, 1.2–8.9, 1.3–8.8, 1.4–8.7, 1.5–8.6, 1.6–8.5, 1.7–8.4, 1.8–8.3, 1.9– 8.2, 2–8.1, 2.1–8, 2.2–7.9, 2.3–7.8, 2.4–7.7, 2.5–7.6, 2.6–7.5, 2.7–7.4, 2.8–7.3, 2.9–7.2, 3–7.1, 3.1–7, 3.2–6.9, 3.3–6.8, 3.4–6.7, 3.5–6.6, 3.6–6.5, 3.7–6.4, 3.8–6.3, 3.9–6.2, 4–6.1, 4.1–6, 4.2–5.9, 4.3–5.8, 4.4–5.7, 4.5–5.6, 4.6–5.5, 4.7–5.4, 4.8–5.3, 4.9–5.2, 5–5.1). Additional embodiments of the disclosure provide for amino acids having a weight by weight percent (“% w / w) of 1% w / w or greater (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55); 50% w / w or less (e.g., 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0.8, 0.6); or 1% w / w – 50% w / w (e.g., 2% w / w – 49%; 3% w / w – 48%; 4% w / w – 47%; 5% w / w – 46%; 6% w / w – 45%; 7% w / w – 44%; 8% w / w – 43%; 9% w / w – 42%; 10% w / w – 41%; 11% w / w – 40% w / w; 12% w / w – 39%; 13% w / w – 38%; 14% w / w – 37%; 15% w / w – 36%; 16% w / w – 35%; 17% w / w – 34%; 18% w / w – 33%; 19% w / w – 32%; 20% w / w – 31%; 21% w / w – 30% w / w; 22% w / w – 29%; 23% w / w – 28%; 24% w / w – 27%; 25% w / w – 26%). In some embodiments, the amino acids of the additive composition each has a particle size of: 0.1 micron greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns or less (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 0.1 micron to 500 microns (e.g., 0.3 micron to 497 microns; 0.5 micron to 494 microns; 0.7 micron to 491 microns; 0.9 micron to 488 microns; 1 micron to 485 microns; 5 microns to 482 microns; 10 microns to 479 microns; 20 microns to 476Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT microns; 30 microns to 473 microns; 40 microns to 470 microns; 50 microns to 467 microns; 60 microns to 464 microns; 70 microns to 461 microns; 80 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns to 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns; 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns). In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size 45 mesh (or 354 microns). In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size of 50 mesh (or 297 microns). In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size of 70 mesh (or 200 microns). In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size of 80 mesh (or 177 microns). In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size of 100 mesh (or 149 microns. In some embodiments, the amino acid has a particle size of 230 mesh (or 63 microns). In some embodiments, the mean particle size of the amino acid ingredient, for example, is 0.1 micron or greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.9, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5, 10.7, 10.9, 11.1, 11.3, 11.5, 11.7, 11.9); 10 microns or less (e.g., 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9, 8.8, 8.6, 8.4, 8.2, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7, 6.8, 6.6, 6.4, 6.2, 6, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, 5.2, 5, 4.8, 4.6, 4.4, 4.2, 4, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4, 3.2, 3, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2); or 0.25 micron – 4 microns (e.g., 0.3 micron – 3.5 microns; 0.5 micron – 3 microns; 0.8 micron – 2.5 microns; 1 micron – 2.25 microns; 1.2 microns – 2 microns). The amino acids of the disclosure may be present in the additive composition in an effective amount sufficient to serve its purpose and have an effect in enhancing or increasing the nutritional profile of food and beverages to which the amino acids are added, enhancing the flavor profile, improving the texture, solubility, and stability of food or beverage products, improving muscle recovery or reducing exercise-induced fatigue, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and extending the shelf life of food or beverage products, or anyCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT combination thereof. In some embodiments, the total of amino acids comprises a percentage by weight of total amino acids relative to the weight of the entire additive composition (aka weight basis) of at least 60% or greater (e.g., 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98); 95% or less (e.g., 93, 91, 89, 87, 85, 83, 81, 79, 77, 75, 73, 71, 69, 67, 65, 63, 61, 59, 57, 55); or 60%–95% (e.g., 6%–45%; 7%–40%; 8%–35%; 9%–30%; 10%–28%; 11%–27%; 12%–26%; 13%–25%; 14%– 24%; 15%–23%; 16%–22%; 17%–21%; 18%–20%).

[0035] Electrolytes or Electrolyte Ingredient

[0036] In some embodiments, the additive composition described comprises an electrolyte (including an electrolyte mixture). The electrolyte, as used here, is in a solid form that can dissolve in a liquid, such as water. Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge when dissolved in a liquid. Electrolytes as used in the additive compositions disclosed here enable or supplement hydration, particularly in those subjects or individual who are dehydrated or need hydration. The electrolytes of the disclosure can also assist in the absorption of nutrients, enhance the flavor of food products, regulate or maintain a subject’s body pH levels, and function as a preservative by inhibiting growth of detrimental microorganisms, including bacteria. Non-limiting examples of solid electrolytes include: bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, potassium such as, potassium citrate (E332), dipotassium tartrate (E336), potassium malate (E351), potassium sorbate (E202), potassium nitrate (E252), di- and tripotassium phosphate (E340), tetrapotassium diphosphate (E450), sodium, and any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, various electrolytes include, for example, dissolved salts of inorganic elements, such as sodium (e.g., sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄)), potassium (e.g., potassium acetate (CH3CO2K), potassium bicarbonate (KHCO₃), potassium citrate (K₃C₆H₅O₇), potassium chloride (KCl), potassium phosphate (e.g., KH2PO4; K2HPO4; K3PO4), potassium sorbate (C6H7KO2), potassium sulfate (K₂SO₄), potassium tartrate (K₂C₄H₄O₆)), calcium (e.g., calcium chloride (CaCl2), calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO₃)2), calcium sulfate (CaSO₄)), magnesium (e.g., magnesium chloride (MgCl2), magnesium bicarbonate (Mg(HCO₃)2), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄)), zinc (e.g., zinc sulfate (ZnSO₄) or zinc chloride (ZnCl₂)), iron (e.g., iron sulfate (FeSO₄), iron chloride (FeCl₃), iron nitrate (Fe(NO₃)₃)), copper (e.g., copper sulfate (CuSO₄), copper chloride (CuCl₂), copper nitrate (Cu(NO₃)₂)), manganese (e.g., manganese sulfate (MnSO₄), manganese chloride (MnCl₂), manganese nitrate (Mn(NO₃)₂)), iodine (e.g., potassium iodide (KI), sodium iodide (NaI), calcium iodide (CaI₂)), and / or phosphorus (e.g., calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), potassium phosphate (K₃PO₄), sodium phosphate (Na₃PO₄)). The electrolyte may be present in the additive composition in an effective amount sufficient to serve its purpose and have an effect in functioning to assist absorption of nutrients, enhance the flavor of food products, regulate or maintain a subject’s body pH levels, act as a preservative, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the electrolyte ingredient comprises a percentage by weight of electrolytes relative to the weight of the entire additive composition described here (aka weight basis) of 0.05% or greater (e.g.,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5); 10% or less (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04); 0.05% – 5% (e.g., 0.1%–4.5%, 0.5%–4%, 1%–3.5%, 1.5%–3%, 2%–2.5).

[0037] Anti-caking Agent Ingredient

[0038] In some embodiments, the anti-caking agent ingredient of the additive composition described here prevents or aids in the prevention of lump formation, i.e., caking. Anti-caking agents function by absorbing excess moisture that induce particles to stick together and / or coating particles to enable them to be more water-repellent and thus reducing or preventing clumping. The addition of anti-caking agents to powdered or granulated additives, such as the food or beverage additive composition of the disclosure, ensures that the composition remains dry and prevents the formation of lumps or clumping. Non-limiting examples of anti-caking agents in the additive composition of the disclosure include one or more of, calcium silicate (E552), sodium aluminosilicate (E554), sodium bicarbonate (E500), sodium acid pyrophosphate (E450), tricalcium phosphate (E341), silicon dioxide (E551), magnesium stearate (E470b), magnesium carbonate (E504), and any of the anti-caking agents identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (E number), or by the Codex Alimentarius Commision (INS number) which generally corresponds to the E number assigned by the EFSA. The anti-caking agent may be present in the additive composition described here in an effective amount sufficient to serve its purpose and have an effect in enabling the additive composition to remain dry and prevent the formation of lumps or clumping until the additive composition is used for its intended purpose. In some embodiments, the anti-caking agent ingredient comprises a percentage by weight of anti-caking agent ingredient relative to the weight of the entire additive composition (aka weight basis) of 0.05% or greater (e.g., 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5); 10% or less (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04); 0.05% – 5% (e.g., 0.1%–4.5%, 0.5%–4%, 1%–3.5%, 1.5%–3%, 2%–2.5).

[0039] Flavorant or Flavor Ingredient

[0040] In some embodiments, the flavorant or flavor ingredient in the additive composition disclosed here changes the taste and / or aroma of a food or a beverage. The flavorants can come from or be made from different sources, such as but not limited to, natural sources (e.g., almond, lemon, vanilla, fruit, ginger, cacao / cocoa beans, or their oils or extracts); synthetic sources (e.g., synthetic organic chemicals, alcohol, glycerol, propylene glycol in flavors that mimic natural sources); and mixtures of natural sources and synthetic sources. The flavorants described here not only provide or enhance a taste or aroma a food or a beverage, but in solid or powder form, they also function without adding moisture. In some embodiments, powdered flavorants are encapsulated in a carrier, such as but not limited to, gum arabic and maltodextrin. The carrier acts to prevent degradation until the powder is mixed with a food or a beverage allowing a controlled release of the flavorant that is dispersed evenly to create aCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT consistent flavor profile that enhances the taste and aroma of food and beverage products, such as but not limited to protein powders, instant beverages, and the like. In some embodiments, the flavorant in the additive composition of the disclosure is a powdered flavor ingredient, including, but not limited to, natural and / or artificial / synthetic flavors, such as fruit flavors (e.g., strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, orange), chocolate, vanilla, coffee, tea, butterscotch, caramel, mint, cinnamon. The flavorant may be present in the additive composition described here in an effective amount sufficient to serve its purpose and have an effect in enhancing the flavor or the aroma of food or beverage products. In some embodiments, the powdered flavor ingredient comprises a percentage by weight of flavorants relative to the weight of the entire additive composition described here (aka weight basis) of 1% or greater (e.g., 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51); 45% or less (e.g., 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4); or 1%–45% (e.g., 2%–44%; 3%–43%; 4%–42%; 5%–41%; 6%–40%; 7%–39%; 8%–38%; 9%–37%; 10%–36%; 11%–35%; 12%–34%; 13%–33%; 1%–32%; 15%–31%; 16%–30%; 17%–29%; 18%–28%; 19%–27%; 20%–26%; 21%–25%; 22%–24%). Non-limiting examples of flavorants and flavoring ingredient additives (natural or synthetic) include: almond, cinnamon, citrus, coconut, ginger, grape seed extract, grape skin extract, mango extract, menthol (including menthol without mint), vanilla extract, vanillin, viridiflorol; proprietary flavorants (e.g., DOHLER™ Natural Flavoring Sweetness Enhancer K14323 (DOHLER™, Darmstadt, Germany), Natural Advantage™ Bitterness Blockers 1, 2, 9 and 10 (Natural Advantage™, Freehold, New Jersey, U.S.A.), SUCRAMASK™ (Creative Research Management, Stockton, California, U.S.A.), and Symrise™ Natural Flavor Mask for Sweeteners 161453 and 164126 (SYMRISE™, Holzminden, Germany).

[0041] Botanical Ingredient

[0042] In some embodiments, the additive composition further includes a botanical and / or botanical extract. The botanical can include an entire plant or parts of the plant, such as but not limited to leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, stems, etc. The botanicals can be in their natural form or dried. Herbs, which typically refer to the leafy green or flowering parts of a plant, are a type of botanical. Any of the botanicals used in the additive composition can be in the form of an extract, which is a concentrated form of the botanical. The botanical and / or botanical extract can be in the form of a dried ingredient (e.g., natural form, powdered or granulated form). In some embodiments, the botanical includes, but is not limited to, turmeric (including curcumin), ginger, beetroot, matcha, cinnamon, spirulina, maca, chamomile, green tea (Camellia sinensis), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), wheatgrass, barley grass, or extracts of any of the aforementioned botanicals, or any combinations thereof. The botanical used in the additive compositions of the disclosure are provided in an effective amount to provide or enhance flavors, nutrition (e.g., vitamins, minerals, antioxidants), therapeutic or medicinal properties (e.g., immune function, cognitive health (e.g., improving concentration, reducing: insomnia, anxiety, depression), improving: cholesterol, reducing: inflammation, gastrointestinal issues, reproductiveCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT system issues (e.g., symptoms of perimenopause or menopause), fevers, cholesterol, skin, nails, hair and / or joint disorders or conditions, and the like), improve: texture, solubility, or stability of a food product, or any combinations of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the botanical ingredient comprises a percentage by weight of botanical ingredient relative to the weight of the entire additive composition (aka weight basis) of 0.05% or greater (e.g., 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5); 10% or less (e.g., 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04); 0.05% – 5% (e.g., 0.1%–4.5%, 0.5%–4%, 1%–3.5%, 1.5%–3%, 2%–2.5).

[0043] Additional Ingredients

[0044] In some embodiments, the additive composition described here contains an effervescence system ingredient to create bubbles in a food or a beverage. Effervescence can be produced through a chemical reaction between an acid and a base, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide gas in a food or a beverage; by dissolving carbon dioxide gas under pressure into a liquid, such as a beverage, which, when the gas is released, bubbles are created; through the use of effervescent agents that can release carbon dioxide gas; by natural fermentation processes, which produces effervescence as a byproduct of microbial activity. In some embodiments, the effervescence system ingredient, optionally contained in the additive composition described here, comprises: an agent that releases carbon dioxide (e.g., sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate) and / or an agent that induces the release of carbon dioxide (e.g., an organic acid, adipic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, or citric acid); an acid and / or a base, capable of releasing carbon dioxide. In one embodiment, where an effervescence system is desired in the additive composition described here, the effervescence system ingredient comprises an acid alone, a base alone, or both an acid and a base, where the combination of the acid and the base results in effervescence or bubbles. In those instances when the effervescence system ingredient contains either an acid alone or a base alone, the food or beverage product to which the effervescence system ingredient (contained in the additive composition) is added has the other ingredient in an amount sufficient to generate bubbles and the effervescence effect. For example, the additive composition containing the effervescence system ingredient comprising an acid, when combined with a food or beverage product containing an appropriate base, results in effervescence; or the additive composition containing the effervescence system ingredient comprising a base, when combined with a food or beverage product containing an appropriate acid, results in effervescence. Some embodiments may be directed to the effervescence system ingredient of the additive composition, where the effervescence system ingredient contains an agent alone that releases carbon dioxide or an agent that induces the release of carbon dioxide if the food or beverage contains an agent that induces the release of carbon dioxide or an agent that releases carbon dioxide, respectively, thereby creating effervescence when the additive composition (containing the effervescence system ingredient) is combined with the food or beverage. In other embodiments, the effervescence system ingredient comprises both an acid and a base, or an agent that releases carbon dioxide and an agent thatCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT induces the release of carbon dioxide, thereby when combined, result in bubbles or effervescence. Embodiments of the disclosure describe an effervescence system that can be present in the additive composition disclosed here, where the effervescence system is in an effective amount sufficient to serve its purpose and create effervescence in a food or a beverage. Some embodiments are directed to a solid effervescence system, where the agents or components of the effervescence system used in the additive composition are formulated in a solid form, such as but not limited to powder or granules. The solid effervescence system ingredient can be activated when contacted with or dissolved in a liquid, sufficient to enable the chemical reaction to occur and create bubbles. In some embodiments, the effervescence system ingredient comprises a percentage by weight of effervescence system ingredient relative to the weight of the entire additive composition (aka weight basis) of 0.05% or greater (e.g., 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 5.5); 15% or less (e.g., 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04); 0.05% – 15% (e.g., 0.1%–14.5%, 0.5%–14%, 1%–13.5%, 1.5%–13%, 2%–12.5, 2.5%–12%, 3%–11.5%, 3.5%–11%, 4%–10.5%, 4.5%–10%, 5%–9.5%, 5.5%– 9%, 6%–8.5%, 6.5%–8%, 7%–7.5%). In additional embodiments, the weight ratio of the base (e.g., carbonate or bicarbonate) to acid (e.g., organic acid) or the weight ratio of the acid to base is 0.5 or greater (e.g., 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10); 10 or less (e.g., 9, 7, 5, 3, 1, 0.95, 0.85, 0.75, 0.65, 0.55, 0.45, 0.35, 0.25, 0.1); or 0.5–10 (e.g., 1–9, 2–8, 3–7, 4–6).

[0045] In some embodiments, the additive composition can contain a carrier (e.g., diluent, adjuvant, excipient, vehicle). Non-limiting examples of such carriers include: water, saline, oil, aqueous dextrose, glycols, starch, cellulose, chitosan, glucose, lactose, gelatin, malt, rice, flour, chalk, silica, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, glycerol mono stearate, milk, glycerol, propylene glycol, ethanol, preservatives, stabilizing agents, wetting or emulsifying agents, buffers, and the like, or combinations thereof.

[0046] Additional embodiments provide for additive compositions described here further comprising a carbohydrate. In some aspects, the carbohydrate can be a sole / single sugar molecule or oligosaccharides or polysaccharides. Non-limiting examples of carbohydrates include: allose, altrose, arabinose, dihydroxyacetone, erythrose, erythrulose, fructose, fucose, galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, gulose, idose, lyxose, mannoheptulose, mannose, octose, psicose, rhamnose, ribose, ribulose, sedoheptulose, sorbose, sucrose, tagatose, talose, threose, turanose, xylose, and xylulose. Additional aspects provide for amino acids of the disclosure configured to be bound to a carbohydrate, such as those described here.

[0047] In some embodiments, the additive composition described here or a dispersion of the additive composition and liquid of the disclosure can include a sweetener, including those that are natural (i.e., found in nature as a pure compound or an extract), artificial or synthetic, or combinations thereof. One aspect provides for sweeteners (natural or artificial) that are characteristically sweeter than fructose, glucose, or sucrose, while having fewer calories. Non-limiting examples of such sweeteners include:Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT stevia and steviol glycosides, including but not limited to, dulcoside A, dulcoside B, rebaudioside 1, rebaudioside A, rebaudioside B, rebaudioside C, rebaudioside D, rebaudioside D2, rebaudioside E, rebaudioside F, rebaudioside G, rebaudioside H, rebaudioside IX,, rebaudioside J, rebaudioside K, rebaudioside L, rebaudioside M, rebaudioside M2, rebaudioside N, rebaudioside O, rebaudioside S, rebaudioside T, rebaudioside U, rebaudioside V, rebaudioside W, rebaudioside Z1, rebaudioside Z2, rubusoside, steviolbioside, steviolmonoside, stevioside, enzymatically glucosylated steviol glycosides, and any combinations thereof. Additional sweeteners can include Siraitia grosvenorii (aka monk fruit, luǒ hán guò) or extract thereof, and related mogroside compounds, including but not limited to, 7- oxomogroside II E; 7-oxomogroside V; 11-deoxymogroside III; 11-deoxymogroside V; 11-oxomogrol; 11-oxomogroside HIE; 11-oxomogroside IA; 11-oxomogroside IVA; 11-oxomogroside V; grosmogroside I; isomogroside V; isomogroside VI; mogrol; Mogroside HIE; mogroside IA; mogroside IE; mogroside II B; mogroside II E; mogroside II mogroside II A; mogroside III; mogroside IV; Mogroside iVA 11-oxomogroside IV; mogroside V; mogroside VI; siamenoside I (including isomers thereof); (3β, 9β, 10α, 11α, 24R)-3-[(4-O-β-D-glucospyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-25- hydroxyl-9-methyl-19-norlanost-5-en-24-yl-[2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D- glucopyranoside); (3β, 9β, 10α, 11α, 24R)-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D- glucopyranosyl)oxy]-25-hydroxy-9-methyl-19-norlanost-5-en-24-yl-[2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-β- D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside); and (3β, 9β, 10α, 11α, 24R)-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-25-hydroxy-9-methyl-19-norlanost-5-en-24-yl-[2- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside). In further aspects, sweeteners can also be selected from: abrusoside A, baiyunoside, brazzein, curculin, cyclocarioside I, glycyphyllin, glycyrrhizic acid (and its salts), hemandulcin, mabinlin, monatin and its salts (monatin SS, RR, RS, SR), monellin, mukurozioside, osladin, phlomisoside I periandrin I, phloridzin, phyllodulcin, polypodoside A, pterocaryoside A, pterocaryoside B, thaumatin, and trilobatin. In further aspects, sweeteners can include carbohydrate sweeteners, such as but not limited to, allose, altrose, arabinose, arabinose, dihydroxyacetone, erythrose, erythrulose, fructose, fucose, galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, gulose, idose, lyxose, mannoheptulose, mannose, octose, octulose, psicose, rhamnose, ribose, ribulose, sedoheptulose, sorbose, sucrose, tagatose, talose, threose, turanose, xylose, xylulose, or any combinations thereof. Other sweeteners that can be used with the additive composition of the disclosure include acesulfame acid (and salts thereof), advantame, alitame, aspartame, cyclamate, cyclamic acid (and salts thereof), erythritol, glucosylated steviol glycosides (GSGs), neohesperidin dihydrochalcone, neotame, potassium acesulfame, saccharin and salts thereof, sucralose, sugar alcohols (e.g., hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH), isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol), and any combinations thereof.

[0048] Further ingredients that can be incorporated into the additive composition described here or the dispersion comprising the additive composition disclosed, such as but not limited to functionalCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT ingredients. Non-limiting examples of functional ingredients include, antioxidants, dietary fiber sources, fatty acids, glucosamine, hydration agents, long chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols, minerals, osteoporosis management agents, phytoestrogens, phytosterols, prebiotics, preservatives, probiotics, saponins, vitamins, weight management agents, and any combinations thereof.

[0049] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient is a saponin or multiple saponins. Saponins are compounds found in plants or plant parts (e.g., alfalfa, aloe, asparagus, baby’s breath, chickpeas, grapes, soapwort, soybeans, yucca), where the saponin can be extracted therefrom using conventional extraction techniques. They are glycosidic natural plant products containing an aglycone ring structure and one or more sugar moieties. As used as a functional ingredient here, the saponin can comprise a single saponin or a plurality of saponins for the additive composition described here or any dispersion containing the additive composition. Non-limiting examples of saponins for use in some embodiments of the disclosure include: group A acetyl saponin, group B acetyl saponin, and group E acetyl saponin.

[0050] Further embodiments disclosed here provide the additive composition comprising the functional ingredient or the dispersion containing the additive composition described here and any of the functional ingredients disclosed here, where the functional ingredient is at least one antioxidant. “Antioxidant” as used here, refers to any substance which protects cells from damage caused by free radicals by, for example, inhibiting, suppressing, or reducing oxidative damage to cells. Non-limiting examples of antioxidants include: carotenoid terpenoids, carotenoids, esters of phenols, esters of polypphenols, flavones, flavonoid polyphenolics (e.g.bioflavonoids), flavonoids, flavonols, hormones, isothiocyanates, minerals, non-carotenoid terpenoids, nonflavonoid phenolics, phenols, polyphenols, vitamin cofactors, vitamins, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the antioxidant is acai powder, acetic acid, alpha-lipoic acid, anthoxanthins, antinutrients, anythocyanins, apigenin, apple extract, apple skin extract (applephenon), aronia extract 20%, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, betacyanins (and other plant pigments), bilberry extract, bilirubin, black currant, blackberry extract, blueberry extract, blueberry leaf extract, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), canthaxantin, catechin, chicoric acid, chlorogenic acid, cinnamic acid (and its derivatives (e.g., ferulic acid)), cinnamon bark extract, citric acid, citrus bioflavonoids, cocoa extract, coenzyme Q10, cranberry extract, crypoxanthin, curcumin, cyaniding, daidzein, delphinidin, elderberry extract, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, emblicanin, epicatechin (and its gallate forms), epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), erodictyol, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), eugenol, ferulic acid, flavan-3-ols (e.g. anthocyanidins), gallic acid, gallocatechins, gallotannins, genistein, ginger, glutamine, glutathinone, glycitein, gossypol, grape seed extract (VinOseed), grape skin extract, green, green coffee antioxidant (GCA), green coffee bean extract, green tea extract, hawthorn berry extract, hawthorn berry extract, hesperetin, hesperetin, hops extract, hydroxytyrosol, isoflavone, isorhamnetin, kaempfedrol, lignan, limonoids, lipoic acid, lutein, luteolin, lycopene, malvidin, manganese, mangosteen extract, mangosteen hull extract, melatonin, mineral selenium, mulberry root extract, myricetin, N-Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT acetylcysteine, naringenin, OC-carotene, olive oil, oxalic acid, pectin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, phytic acid, phytoestrogens, pine bark extract, pomegranate extract, pomegranate hull extract, pomegranate seed extract, pomella pomegranate extract, proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, punicalagin, pycnogenol, quercetin, raspberry extract, red raspberry extract, reservatol, R-lipoic acid, rooibos extract, rooibos extract red, rosmarinic acid, rutin, salicylic acid, saponins, silymarin, tangeritin, tert-butylhydroquinone, theaflavin (and its gallate forms), thearubigins, thyme, thymol, tocopherol, tocopherol-derived compounds, tocotrienol, tumeric, turmeric extract, ubiquinone, uric acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, wolfberry (gogi) extract, zeanthin, zeaxanthin, or combinations thereof. Other embodiments are directed to functional ingredients, where the antioxidant is a synthetic antioxidant, for example, butylated hydroxyanisole or butylated hydroxytolune. Useful antioxidants for various embodiments of this disclosure include, but are not limited to, those derived from cereal grains, chocolate, cocoa, fruits, herbs, livestock organs, rice, spices, tea, vegetables, whole grains, or yeast. Some antioxidants include polyphenols (aka polyphenolics), which are found in plants and characterized by the presence of more than one phenol group per molecule. Non-limiting polyphenols include: anthocyanins, catechins, chlorogenic acid, citrus flavonoids, curcumin, ellagitannin, hesperidin, isoflavones, naringin, proanthocyanidins, procyanidins, punicalagin, quercetin, resveratrol, rutin, other similar materials, and combinations thereof.

[0051] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient is a dietary fiber. Non-limiting examples of dietary fibers include: b-glucans, cellulose, chitins, cyclodextrins, fructooligosaccharides, gums, hemicelluloses, inulins, lignin, methylcellulose, mucilage, non-starch polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, pectins, waxes, and combinations thereof. Dietary fibers are generally derived from plant sources. However, indigestible animal products (e.g., chitins, which are polysaccharides having units of acetylglucosamine joined by beta (1-4) linkages) are also classified as dietary fibers and contains similar beta (1-4) linkages of cellulose.

[0052] Additional embodiments include fatty acid functional ingredients, where fatty acids are any straight chain monocarboxylic acid and can include: esterified fatty acids, fatty acid precursors (including omega-9 fatty acid precursors), long chain fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, short chain fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids. As used herein, “long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid” is meant to mean any polyunsaturated carboxylic acid or organic acid with a long aliphatic tail. “Omega-3 fatty acid” is a term used here referring to any polyunsaturated fatty acid having a first double bond as the third carbon-carbon bond from the terminal methyl end of its carbon chain. The omega-3 fatty acid can have a long chain omega-3 fatty acid. “Omega-6 fatty acid” refers to any polyunsaturated fatty acid having a first double bond as the sixth carbon-carbon bond from the terminal methyl end of its carbon chain. Omega-3 fatty acids for use in various embodiments of the present disclosure can be derived from: algae (e.g., microalgae omega-3 oil), animals, fish (e.g., fish oils, (e.g., menhaden oil, tuna oil, salmon oil, bonito oil, and cod oil)), plants, or combinations thereof.Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT Non-limiting examples of omega-3 fatty acids include: alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid, linolenic acid, stearidonic acid, and combinations thereof. Commercially available omega-3 fatty acid oils useful in various embodiments of the disclosure include those such as, but not limited to, Bonito oil and MEG-3 (from Ocean Nutrition, Dartmouth, NS, Canada), Evogel (from Symrise, Holzminden, Germany), Marine Oil from cod (from OmegaSource, RTP, NC), Marine Oil from menhaden, Marine Oil from tuna or salmon (from Arista, Wilton, CT), Marinol C-38 (from Lipid Nutrition, Channahon, IL), Microalgae DHA oil (from Martek, Columbia, MD), OmegaPure (from Omega Protein, Houston, TX), OmegaSource 2000. Non-limiting examples of omega-6 fatty acids for use in embodiments described here include: adrenic acid, arachidonic acid, dihommo-gamma-linolenic acid, docosadienoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, eicosadienoic acid, gamma-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and combinations thereof.

[0053] Esterified fatty acids for use in various embodiments as the functional ingredient of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, diacylgycerols containing omega-3 and / or omega-6 fatty acids, monoacylgycerols containing omega-3 and / or omega-6 fatty acids, triacylgycerols containing omega-3 and / or omega-6 fatty acids, and combinations thereof.

[0054] Additional embodiments provide for the functional ingredient that is a vitamin, such as but not limited to, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B7, vitamin B9, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and any combinations thereof. Pseudo-vitamins are also encompassed by the term vitamins. Non- limiting examples of pseudo-vitamins include:

[0055] These compounds may be termed pseudo-vitamins and include, but are not limited to, compounds such as adenine, adenylic acid, amygdaline, dimethylglycine, flavonoids, pangamic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid, s-methylmethionine, taestrile, ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10), and any combinations thereof. vitamin C and combinations thereof.

[0056] The functional ingredient in additional embodiments of the disclosure is glucosamine, optionally further comprising chondroitin sulfate. In other embodiments, the functional ingredient is a mineral, including inorganic chemical elements. Minerals, as used in the disclosure, comprise inorganic chemical elements as needed by living organisms, and include elements, simple salts, and complex silicates, and also vary broadly in crystalline structure. Minerals can naturally occur in foods and beverages, can be added as a supplement, or can be consumed or administered separately from foods or beverages. Minerals can be either bulk minerals (required in relatively large amounts) or trace minerals (required in relatively small amounts). Bulk minerals generally are required in amounts greater than or equal to about 100 mg per day and trace minerals are those that are required in amounts less than about 100 mg per day. In one embodiment, the mineral is selected from bulk minerals, trace minerals or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of bulk minerals include calcium, chlorine, magnesium,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and sulfur, and any combinations. Non-limiting examples of trace minerals include bismuth, boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, lithium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, rubidium, silicon, selenium, strontium, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and zinc, and any combinations. Although iodine generally is classified as a trace mineral, it is required in larger quantities than other trace minerals and often is categorized as a bulk mineral. Any of the minerals envisioned here can be in any known form, such as their ionic form (positive or negative charge) and molecular form (e.g., sulfur and phosphorous often are found naturally as sulfates, sulfides, and phosphates).

[0057] In some embodiments of the disclosure, the functional ingredient is a preservative. The preservative is selected from antienzymatics, antimicrobials, antioxidants, or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of antimicrobials include acetic acid, bacteriocins, benzoates, dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC), ethanol, nitrates, nitrites, ozone, propionates, salts, sorbates, sugars, sulfites (e.g., potassium hydrogen sulfite, sodium bisultite, sulfur, sulfur dioxide, and any combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the preservative is a bacteriocin (e.g., nisin); a benzoate (e.g., benzoic acid and sodium benzoate); ethanol; a nitrate and / or a nitrite (e.g., sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite); ozone; a propionate, which include, but are not limited to, calcium propionate, propionic acid, and sodium propionate; a sorbate (e.g., calcium sorbate, potassium sorbate, sodium sorbate, and sorbic acid). Non- limiting examples of anti-enzymatics for use as preservatives in various embodiments of the disclosure include: ascorbic acid, citric acid, and metal chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and combinations thereof.

[0058] The functional ingredient as described here can be a hydration agent incorporated in the additive composition of the disclosure or in the dispersion containing the additive composition. The additional hydration agent can act as a synergist when combined with the amino acids of the additive composition or dispersion containing the additive composition by enhancing the hydration or rehydration effect of the additive composition. In some embodiments, the hydration agent is a carbohydrate supplementing energy repositories (e.g., fats, carbohydrates) burned by muscles. Non- limiting examples of appropriate carbohydrates for use as described here include: complex polysaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, or combinations thereof. Exemplary types of monosaccharides for use in various embodiments described here include, but are not limited to, allose, altrose, arabinose, dihydroxyacetone, erythrose, erythrulose, fructose, galactose, glucose, glyceraldehyde, gulose, heptoses, hexoses, idose, mannoheptulose, mannose, nonoses, octolose, octoses, pentoses, psicose, ribose, ribulose, sedoheltulose, sialose, sorbose, tagatose, talose, tetroses, threoselyxose, trioses, and xylose, and xylulose. Non-limiting examples of suitable disaccharides include lactose, maltose, and sucrose. Non-limiting examples of suitable oligosaccharides include maltodextrin, maltotriose, and saccharose. In some embodiments, the carbohydrates as used here are provided by, for example, a beet sugar, a cane sugar, a corn syrup, a juice, a tea, or combinationsCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT thereof. Additional embodiments are directed to a hydration agent that is a flavanol, which also provides cellular rehydration. Flavanols are a class of natural substances present in plants. Non limiting examples of flavanols for use in some embodiments of this disclosure include: catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin 3-gallate, gallocatechinepicatechin gallate, theaflavin, theaflavin 3- gallate, theaflavin 3′-gallate, theaflavin 3,3′ gallate, thearubigin, or combinations thereof. Some flavanols are derived from flowers, fruits, tea plants (e.g., green tea), or vegetables. Alternative embodiments are directed to a hydration agent that is a glycerol solution used to enhance exercise endurance. Glycerol ingestion is known to have beneficial physiological effects, such as expanded blood volume, lower heart rate, and lower rectal temperature.

[0059] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient as described here is a prebiotic, a probiotic, or combinations thereof. One embodiment of the additive composition disclosure provides gum acacia that serves a dual purpose, i.e., as a water-soluble gum that increases solubility of amino acids or proteins generally, and as a functional ingredient in view of its properties as a prebiotic. Prebiotics, in accordance with the embodiments of this disclosure, include, without limitation, amino acids, dietary fibers, mucopolysaccharides, nutrient precursors, oligosaccharides (e.g., fructooligosaccharides, inulins, isomalto-oligosaccharides, lactilol, lactosucrose, lactulose, pyrodextrins, soy oligosaccharides, transgalacto-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides), polysaccharides, proteins, and vitamins, or any combinations thereof. Prebiotics are typically found naturally in a variety of foods including, but not limited to, asparagus, bananas, barley (and other whole grains), berries, chicory, flaxseed, garlic, greens (e.g., chard, collard greens, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens), Jerusalem artichoke, legumes (e.g., lentils, kidney beans, chickpeas, navy beans, white beans, black beans) , oats, onions, tomatoes, and wheat. Some prebiotics are known to break down to provide carbohydrates for probiotics, and some probiotics also require amino acids for nourishment.

[0060] Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms useful in altering naturally-occurring gastrointestinal microflora in a subject. Non-limiting examples of probiotics include: bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria, Lactobacilli, Streptococci, or combinations thereof, that confer beneficial effects to mammals, such as humans. Probiotics are also found in food products, such as but not limited to, fermented vegetables, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, yogurt, and other food products containing microorganisms beneficially affecting the host mammal by improving the intestinal microbiota.

[0061] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient is a weight management agent. As used herein, “a weight management agent” includes an appetite suppressant and / or a thermogenesis agent. As used herein, the phrases “appetite suppressant”, “appetite satiation compositions”, “satiety agents”, and “satiety ingredients” are synonymous and used interchangeably here. The phrase “appetite suppressant” include, but are not limited to, anorectics, anorexigenics, exogenous hormones, herbal extracts, macronutrients, pharmaceutical drugs, and combinations thereof, such that when provided in an effective amount, can inhibit, suppress, reduce, or otherwise diminish a subject’s appetite. The phraseCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT “thermogenesis agent” similarly includes anorectics, anorexigenics, exogenous hormones, herbal extracts, macronutrients, pharmaceutical drugs, and combinations thereof, such that when provided in an effective amount, can activate or otherwise increase a subject’s thermogenesis or metabolism. Non- limiting macronutrient weight management agents include: carbohydrates, dietary fats, proteins, and combinations thereof, which stimulates peptide release thereby inducing appetite suppressing effects. For example, consumption of dietary fats and proteins stimulates the release of cholecytokinin (CCK), a gut hormone, while consumption of dietary fats and carbohydrates stimulates release of Glucagon- like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Weight management agents described here for use as a function ingredient of the additive compositions of the disclosure can include carbohydrates, such as but not limited to: cellulose, gums, starches, sugars, and any combinations, that convert glucose into energy. Carbohydrates can be further categorized as digestible carbohydrates (e.g., disaccharides, monosaccharides, starch) and non-digestible carbohydrates (e.g., dietary fiber). Non-digestible carbohydrates and complex polymeric carbohydrates having reduced absorption and digestibility in the small intestine have been shown to stimulate physiologic responses that impede food intake. Accordingly, the carbohydrates embodied herein can beneficially include non-digestible carbohydrates or carbohydrates with reduced digestibility. Non-limiting examples of such carbohydrates include: disaccharide-derived alcohols (e.g., isomalt, lactitol, maltitol); hydrogenated starch hydrolysates; inulin; monosaccharide-derived polyols (e.g., erythritol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol); and polydextrose.

[0062] Exemplary weight management agents that are a dietary fat (i.e., lipids comprising saturated and unsaturated fatty acids) are also functional ingredients useful in additive compositions, or dispersions containing additive compositions described here. Since polyunsaturated fatty acids have been demonstrated to have a greater satiating effect than mono-unsaturated fatty acids, the dietary fats embodied herein desirably comprise poly-unsaturated fatty acids, such as but not limited to triacylglycerols.

[0063] In another embodiment, the weight management agent is an herbal extract identified as having appetite suppressant properties. Non-limiting examples of plants whose extracts have such appetite suppressant properties include plants of the genus: Asclepias, Camelia, Caralluma, Hoodia, Orbea, Stapelia, Trichocaulon, and any combinations thereof. Other embodiments include extracts derived from black current seed oil, Citrus aurantium, Griffonia simplicifolia, guarana, guggul (e.g., guggulipid), Gymnema sylvestre, kola nut, myrrh, and Yerba mate. Herbal extracts are typically prepared by extracting sap from the plant and then spray-drying the sap. Alternatively, conventional solvent extraction procedures can be used. Following the initial extraction, additional fractionations of the initial extract (e.g., by column chromatography) can be performed in order to obtain an herbal extract with enhanced activity. Such techniques are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Non- limiting examples of herbal extracts as used here include extracts derived from a plant of the genus: Asclepias (e.g., containing steroidal compounds: pregnane aglycone, pregnane glycosides); CarallumaCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT (e.g., bouceroside 1, bouceroside H, bouceroside III, bouceroside IV, bouceroside V, bouceroside VI, bouceroside VII, bouceroside VIII, bouceroside IX, bouceroside X, caratuberside A, caratuberside B); Hoodia (i.e., containing a sterol glycoside of Hoodia, known as P57, understood to be responsible for the appetite-suppressant effect of the Hoodia species); Orbea; Stapelia; Trichocaulon (e.g., T. officinale, T. piliferum). Additional appetite suppressing compounds or weight management agents useful as functional ingredients described here include, but are not limited to, an exogenous hormone (e.g., apolipoprotein A-IV, amylin, bombesin, CCK, enterostatin, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), ghrelin, GLP-1, leptin, peptide YY, somastatin, and combinations thereof); a pharmaceutical drug (e.g., diethylpropion, ephedrine, floxetine hydrochloride, oxyntomodulin, phendimetrazine, phenethylamine, phentenime, rimonabant, sibutramine, or other stimulants); and saponins (e.g., pregnane glycosides, such as stavarosides A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K).

[0064] Additional embodiments described here provide functional ingredients that are an osteoporosis management agent, including those having at least one calcium source (e.g., salt complexes, solubilized species, and other forms of calcium); magnesium source (e.g., including salt complexes, solubilized species, and other forms of magnesium). Non-limiting examples of osteoporosis management agents include: calcium sources (e.g., amino acid chelated calcium, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, calcium citrate, calcium citrate malate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium gluconate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium hydroxide, calcium lactate, calcium malate, calcium oxide, calcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, calcium tartrate, solubilized species thereof, and combinations thereof); magnesium sources (e.g., amino acid chelated or amino acid formulation chelated magnesium, magnesium chloride, magnesium citrate, magnesium gluceptate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium picolate, magnesium sulfate, solubilized species thereof, and mixtures thereof); vitamins C, D, K, their precursors and / or beta- carotene, and combinations thereof; plants or plant extracts (e.g., species of the genus: Acorus, Amelanchier, Anethum, Artemisia, Bixa, Carthamus, Carum, Cichorium, Cnidium, Curcuma, Cyperus, Dodonaea, Epimedium, Erigonoum, Iris, Juniperus, Lindera, Mentha, Ocimum, Plantago, Prunus, Rhus, Rosemarinus, Spearmint, Tanacetum, Taraxacum, Thymus, Vitis); phytoestrogens (e.g., any plant-derived compound that causes an estrogen-like effect, where it binds to estrogen receptors in a subject, such as coumestans, coumestrol, equol, isoflavones, lignans, resorcyclic acid lactones, stilbenes, and combinations thereof, or derived from sources: agave root, black cohosh, black currant, black haw, borage, butterfly weed, caraway, cereals, chasteberries, chaste tree, chick peas, clover, cramp bark, dandelion leaves, dandelion roots, dates, devil’s club root, dill, dong quai root, false unicorn root, fennel seed, fenugreek seeds, fibers, flaxseed, fruits, garlic, ginseng root, gotu kola, green tea, groundsel herb, hops, legumes, lentils, licorice, liferoot herb, linseed, milk thistle, motherwort herb, nuts, onions, pennyroyal, peony root, pomegranates, raspberry leaves, red clover, red wine, root of the kudzu vine (pueraria root), rose family plants, sage leaves, sarsaparilla root, saw palmetto berried, seeds,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT southernwood, soya flour, soybeans, soy products (e.g., miso, soy flour, soymilk, soy nuts, soy protein isolate, tempen, tofu), tansy, vegetables, vitex, wild yam root, whole grains, yarrow blossoms, any combinations thereof); phytoestrogen isoflavones (e.g., biochanin A, daidzein, enterodiol, enter olactone, formononetin, genistein, glycitein, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, textured vegetable protein, and their respective naturally occurring glycosides and glycoside conjugates, and any combinations thereof; or derived from sources: alfalfa sprouts, chickpeas, legumes, peanuts, red clover, soy beans, soy products, and any combinations thereof);

[0065] In some embodiments, the functional ingredient described here is a long chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohol. Long-chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols are a diverse group of organic compounds. Alcohol refers to compounds featuring a hydroxyl group (—OH) bound to a carbon atom. Non-limiting examples of long-chain primary aliphatic saturated alcohols for use in various embodiments of the disclosure include: 1-decanol, 1-docosanol, 1-dodecanol, 1-dotriacontanol, 1- eicosanol, 1-heptacosanol, 1-hexacosanol, 1-hexadecanol, 1-nonacosanol, 1-nonanol, 1-octadecanol, 1- octanol, 1-octanosol, 1-tetracontanol, 1-tetracosanol, 1-tetradecanol, 1-triacontanol; policosanol (e.g., mixtures of primarily 1-octanosol and 1-triacontanol, as well as other alcohols: 1-docosanol, 1- dotriacontanol, 1-heptacosanol, 1-hexacosanol, 1-nonacosanol,1-tetracontanol, 1-tetracosanol).

[0066] Various embodiments of the disclosure are directed to the functional ingredient that is a phytosterol, phytostanol, or combination thereof. The terms “stanol”, “plant stanol”, and “phytostanol” are used interchangeably here. Plant sterols and stanols are naturally present in, for example, bark of the trees and other plant sources, cereals, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetable oils, and vegetables, where phytosterols are derived from plants, such as but not limited to, corn, soy, wheat, and wood oils. Natural or synthetic phytosterols are envisioned for use as described here, and include, without limitation, 4-desmethylsterols (e.g., 22-dehydrobrassicasterol, A5-avenasterol, brassicasterol, b- sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol); 4,4-dimethyl sterols (triterpene alcohols)(e.g., 24- methylenecycloartanol, cycloartenol, cyclobranol); 4-monomethyl sterols. Non-limiting phytostanols as used here include: b-sitostanol, campestanol, cycloartanol, and saturated forms of other triterpene alcohols. Phytosterols and phytostanols, as used herein, include derivatives thereof, the various isomers such as the a and b isomers, or their ester forms as prepared or obtained by suitable known methods. Additional examples of suitable phytosterol and phytostanol esters, without limitation, include: sitosterol acetate, sitosterol oleate, stigmasterol oleate, and their corresponding phytostanol esters.

[0067] In some embodiments, additional ingredients include, but not limited to, acids, alcohols (e.g., ethanol), astringent compounds (e.g., alum, europium chloride (EuCh), gadolinium chloride (GdCh), polyphenols (e.g., tea polyphenols), tannic acid, terbium chloride (TbCl3)), bitter compounds (e.g., bitter orange oil, caffeine, naringin, quassia, quinine, urea, and salts thereof), caffeine, carbohydrates, emulsifiers, flavonoids (e.g., anthocyanidins, catechins (e.g., green tea extracts such as Polyphenon™ 60, Polyphenon™ 30, and Polyphenon™25 (Mitsui Norin Co., Ltd., Japan), polyphenols, rutins (e.g.,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT enzyme modified rutin Sanmelin™ AO (San-fi Gen F.F.I., Inc., Osaka, Japan)), flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, isoflavones, naringin, neohesperidin, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone), flavorants and flavoring ingredients, inorganic acids (e.g., alkali or alkaline earth metal salts thereof (e.g, inositol hexaphosphate Mg / Ca), carbonic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid, polyphosphoric acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sulfuric acid), inorganic salts, nucleotides (e.g., adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine triphosphate, alkali or alkaline earth metal salts thereof, cytosine diphosphate, cytosine monophosphate (CMP), cytosine triphosphate, guanosine diphosphate, guanosine monophosphate (GMP), guanosine triphosphate, inosine diphosphate, inosine monophosphate (IMP), inosine triphosphate, nucleotide-related additives, such as nucleosides or nucleic acid bases (e.g., adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine, uracil), uracil monophosphate (UMP), uracil diphosphate, uracil triphosphate, and any combinations thereof), organic acids (e.g., any compound which comprises a —COOH moiety; acetic acid, aconitic acid, adipic acid, alginic acid, amino acid formulation, anisic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, bile acids, butyric acid (ethyl esters), C2-C30 carboxylic acids, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, citric acid, erythorbic acid, fruitaric acid (a blend of malic, fumaric, and tartaric acids), fumaric acid, glucoheptonic acids, gluconic acid, glucono delta lactone, hydroxyacids, hydroxycitric acid, isocitric acid, lactic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, polyglutamic acid, salicylic acid, substituted benzoic acids (e.g, 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid), substituted butyric acid (ethyl esters), substituted cinnamic acids, substituted cyclohexyl carboxylic acids, substituted hydroxybenzoic acids, substituted hydroxyl C2-C30 carboxylic acids, succinic acid, tannic acid, tartaric acid, and their alkali or alkaline earth metal salt derivatives thereof; D- or L- configuration; salts thereof (e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium), salts of all organic acids (e.g., salts of adipic acid, alginic acid (e.g, sodium alginate), ascorbic acid (e.g, sodium ascorbate), benzoic acid (e.g, sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate), citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid (e.g, sodium lactate), malic acid, sorbic acid, tartaric acid; those organic acids optionally substituted with: acyl, acyloxy, alkenyl, alkoxy, alkyl, alkylamino, alkynyl, amido, amino, anhydride, arylamino, aryloxy, carbamyl, carboxalkoxy, carboxamido, carboxyl, carboxyl derivatives, cyano, dialkylamino, halo, haloalkyl, hydrazino, hydrogen, imine, nitro, oximino, phosphino, phosphinyl, phosphonato, phosphonyl, phosphor, phosphoryl, sulfamyl, sulfenyl, sulfmyl, sulfo, sulfonyl, thioester, thioether, thiol), organic bases, organic salts (including organic acid salts and organic base salts), plant extracts, polymers, polyols (e.g., diol, heptaol, hexaol, pentad, triol, tetrad; galactitol, glycerol (glycerin), isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, palatinose, polyalcohol, polyhydric alcohol, propylene glycol, reduced gentio-oligosaccharides, reduced glucose syrup, reduced isomalto-oligosaccharides, reduced maltose syrup, reduced xylo-oligosaccharides, any other carbohydrates capable of being reduced which do not adversely affect taste, sorbitol, sugar acid (e.g., aldaric, aldonic, alginic, galactaric, galacturonic, glucaric, gluconic, glucuronic, uronic, and salts thereof (e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, other physiologically acceptable salts), and any combinations thereof), sugar alcohol, threitol, xylitol), protein hydrolysates, proteins sugar, surfactants (e.g., carbamoyl, cetylpyridinium chlorideCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT (hexadecylpyridinium chloride), choline chloride, dioctyl sulfosuccinate or dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, lauric arginate, lecithins,polysorbates (e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80), polysorbate 20, polysorbate 60), sodium cholate, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium glycocholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, sodium stearoyl lactylate, sodium taurocholate, sucrose laurate esters, sucrose oleate esters, sucrose palmitate esters, sucrose stearate esters, other emulsifiers), or as appropriate, their corresponding salts thereof, and any combinations thereof.

[0068] In additional embodiments, the additional ingredient of the disclosure can include polymer additives, such as but not limited to, alginic acid, chitosan, food hydrocolloid or crude extracts thereof (e.g., gum acacia Senegal (FIBERGUM™), gum acacia seyal, carageenan), pectic, pectin, pectinic, polyarginine, polyaspartic acid, polyethylene glycol, poly(ethylene glycol methyl ether), polyethylene imine, polygalacturonic acid, polyglutamic acid, poly-L-lysine (e.g., poly-L-α-lysine or poly-L-ε- lysine), poly-L-ornithine (e.g., poly-L-α-omithine or poly-L-ε-ornithine), polypropylene glycol, polyuronic, propylene glycol alginate, sodium alginate, sodium hexametaphosphate and its salts, sodium polyethyleneglycolaiginate, starch, and other cationic polymers and anionic polymers.

[0069] Non-limiting examples of protein or protein hydrolysate additives for use in various embodiments described here include: bovine serum albumin (BSA), collagen (e.g., gelatin), collagen hydrolysates (e.g., porcine collagen hydrolysate), partially hydrolyzed collagen (e.g., hydrolyzed fish collagen), protein hydrolysates, protein isolates, reaction products of protein hydrolysates, glycoproteins, and / or proteoglycans containing amino acids (e.g., alanine, arginine, asparagine, glutamine, glycine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, norvaline, proline,, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine), soluble rice protein, soy protein, whey protein (including fractions or concentrates thereof such as 90% instant whey protein isolate, 34% whey protein, 50% hydrolyzed whey protein, and 80% whey protein concentrate).

[0070] Additional ingredients appropriate for inducing hydration or rehydration can include protein hydrolysate additives. In related embodiments the composition may include protein hydrolysate additive as a replacement to the amino acid, such that the protein hydrolysate could be the sole source, if any, of amino acids in the composition. In some embodiments, at least one protein hydrolysate, such as whey protein, can include a branched chain amino acid (BCAA) with or without the addition of other amino acids in a formulation for hydration or rehydration that comprises the additive composition described here.

[0071] Method of Manufacturing the Additive Composition

[0072] Some embodiments of the disclosure are directed to the making and manufacturing of the additive composition described here. For example, the method of manufacture of the additive composition is, for example, in a solid form (e.g., powdered or granulated). Briefly, the additiveCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT composition of the disclosure in solid form is made or manufactured by selecting the desired ingredients (e.g., water-soluble gum, amino acids, electrolytes, anti-caking agents, flavorants, botanicals, effervescence system ingredients), drying the ingredients (e.g., by vacuum drying, lyophilization, spray drying), and grinding the dried ingredients, mixing or blending the ground ingredients. Additional embodiments provide for pre-dried / ground ingredients that are in a solid, particulate form (e.g., commercially available particle ingredients), which can be mixed or blended in the appropriate ratios and weight percentages as described here to form the additive compositions of the disclosure. In embodiments described here, the solid additive composition is manufactured by mixing the separate ground dried ingredients using a paddle, a ribbon, or an auger blending process (or comparable mixing / blending equipment) under controlled climate conditions, for example, at ambient temperature or room temperature (e.g., 15°C–25°C), with humidity / relative humidity maintained at 30% or more; 75% or less; or 30%–75%.

[0073] In various embodiments of the disclosure, a method of preparing a powdered food or beverage additive composition as described here is provided. The method comprises: combining a powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids and mixing the combined powdered water- soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids. Some aspects of the embodiments are directed to additive compositions where a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1 is used. The method incorporates the water-soluble gum, such as but not limited to, gum acacia, where the water-soluble gum decreases time to solution by 70% or less (e.g., 68, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2); by greater than 0% (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75); or 0%– 70% (e.g., 1%–69%, 2%–68%, 3%–67%, 4%–66%, 5%-65%, 6%–64%, 7%–63%, 8%–62%, 9%–61%, 10%–60%, 11%–59%, 12%–58%, 13%–57%, 14%–56%, 15%–55%, 16%–54%, 17%–53%, 18%– 52%, 19%–51%, 20%–50%, 21%–49%, 22%–48%, 23%–47%, 24%–46%, 25%-45%, 26%–44%, 27%–43%, 28%–42%, 29%–41%, 30%–40%, 31%–39%, 32%–38%, 33%–37%, 34%–36%) in the presence of water-soluble gum as compared to time to solution in the absence of water-soluble gum. The method utilizes a particle size of the amino acid and / or water-soluble gum having 45 microns or greater; 500 microns or less; or 45 microns to 500 microns. The method further incorporates a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1. In additional aspects of the method, the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT

[0074] Method of Using the Additive Composition

[0075] In some embodiments, method of using the additive composition of the disclosure, where the additive composition is in solid form (e.g., powdered, granulated), in, for example a beverage, comprises: combining the solid additive composition and the liquid beverage. For example, the method of using the solid additive composition comprises: (1) adding the solid additive composition to a container; and (2) pouring a liquid into the container containing the solid additive composition; and optionally, (3) mixing (e.g., stirring, shaking) the liquid containing the solid additive composition, as needed, until the solid additive composition has completely dissolved in the liquid, thereby forming a consumable beverage containing the additive composition. Another exemplary method of using the solid additive composition comprises: (1) adding the solid additive composition to a container holding a liquid; and optionally, (2) mixing (e.g., stirring, shaking) the liquid containing the solid additive composition, as needed, until the solid additive composition has completely dissolved in the liquid, thereby forming a consumable beverage containing the additive composition. A further exemplary method of using the solid additive composition described here comprises: (a) combining the solid additive composition to a liquid; and (2) mixing the liquid containing the solid additive composition, as needed, until the solid additive composition has completely dissolved in the liquid. In some embodiments, the container holding a liquid is a pre-packaged container (e.g., a bottle of water or a bottle of any liquid beverage). Other embodiments include a container that is a personal container (e.g., a portable container, a thermos, a mug, a glass) holding or containing the liquid. Non-limiting examples of the liquid for use in combination with the additive composition include: water, juices, a dairy or a non-dairy liquid beverage (e.g., milk (e.g., cow, goat), lactose-free milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, rice milk, pea milk, hemp milk, nut milk (e.g., almond milk, cashew milk, walnut milk, peanut milk, hazelnut milk, macadamia nut milk), a caffeinated beverage (e.g., coffee, tea, soda), a carbonated beverage, a non-carbonated beverage, a sports drink (e.g., for rehydration and replenishing electrolytes), a hydration drink (e.g., for rehydration without or minimal added sugar), and an energy drink (e.g., for increasing energy and alertness).

[0076] Dispersions

[0077] In some embodiments a dispersion of a liquid and the additive composition according to the disclosure or obtainable by the methods of using the additive composition described here, comprises gum arabic and a liquid, such as, but not limited to, water or any of the other liquids described here. A dispersion according to the disclosure may be a food or beverage product, for example, a clinical food or beverage product, such as a high-protein nutritional composition for enteral administration, e.g., oral, through a tube (e.g., nasogastric, nasoduodenal, nasojejunal, nasointestinal, orogastric, gastrostomy, jejunostomy), where the food or beverage product has additional benefits (e.g., improved hydration, rehydration, gut health, prebiotic, probiotic, etc.) in addition to the increased protein provided by the high-protein nutritional composition of the embodiment. In additional embodiments, the dispersionCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT comprises an effective amount of the additive composition described here to completely or near completely dissolve in a sufficient amount of the liquid. The dispersion may also form part of a food product that also comprises further ingredients. In some embodiments the food product according to the disclosure, i.e. a food product comprising the dispersion described here, may comprise the dispersion and additional further consumable ingredients, such as for example fats, lipids, carbohydrates, additional proteins (e.g., amino acids, peptides, creatine, collagen), water, and nutrients, such as for example vitamins (e.g., vitamins A, C, B, D), minerals (e.g., iron, calcium, zinc), and other additives, e.g., electrolytes, enzymes, algae (e.g., spirulina, chlorella), botanicals, flavorants, probiotics, prebiotics, stimulants (e.g., caffeine), anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatories, and the like. The dispersion according to the disclosure may advantageously be used to increase the protein content of a food product, such as for example, high-protein sport drinks or enteral feeding formulas. EXAMPLES

[0078] The following examples illustrate specific aspects of the instant description. The examples should not be construed as limiting, as the example merely provides specific understanding and practice of the embodiments and its various aspects.

[0079] Example 1: Solubility Tests

[0080] The solubility of amino acids (3 g / L, 5 g / L, 8 g / L) in combination with gum acacia was tested. The gum acacia was tested at 0.5 g / L, 1 g / L, and 2 g / L and at different particulate sizes: 63 microns (“Fine”) and 200 microns (“Granulated”). A formulation containing five amino acids, where the amino acids had a particle size of 149 microns to 354 microns, was also tested (“Unmilled”). A “Control” with the amino acids and without gum acacia was also used. The solubility test was performed using standard procedures. Briefly, the amino acids and gum acacia were combined in amounts indicated in FIG. 1 (AA at 3 g / L), FIG. 2 (AA at 5 g / L), and FIG. 3 (AA at 8 g / L) to form the additive composition. The solubilities of “2AA” (aspartic acid and serine); “5AA” (aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine); and “8AA” (aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine) were tested. The additive composition, containing amino acids and gum acacia, and separately, the control were gradually added to water (100 mL) while continuously stirring. The temperature was kept at a constant 70.2°F±1. FIGs. 1-3 show the time to solution measured until the additive composition and control were completely dissolved.

[0081] Example 2: Exemplary Additive Compositions

[0082] An additive composition of the disclosure, in solid, particulate form, was prepared by selecting ingredients: 0.5 g / L, 1 g / L, or 2 g / L particulate water-soluble gum; 3 g / L, 5 g / L, or 8 g / L amino acids (i.e., 2AA: aspartic acid and serine; 4AA: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, and proline; 5AA: aspartic acid, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine; 6AA: aspartic acid, isoleucine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine; 8AA: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT tyrosine, and valine, or alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, glycine, proline, serine, threonine, and tyrosine); 0 mmol / L, 31 mmol / L, 44 mmol / L, or 100 mmol / L electrolytes (i.e., sodium, potassium, chloride); and flavorant in an amount to taste; drying the ingredients if not already in solid particulate form; grinding the dried ingredients if not already in solid particulate form; mixing the ground ingredients, thereby forming the additive composition in solid, particulate form.

[0083] Another additive composition of the disclosure in solid, particulate form was prepared by selecting ingredients: 0.5 g / L, 1 g / L, or 2 g / L particulate water-soluble gum; 3 g / L, 5 g / L, or 8 g / L amino acids (i.e., 8AA: aspartic acid, glycine, isoleucine, lysine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, valine); 160 mmol / L electrolytes (i.e., sodium, potassium, chloride); without flavorant; drying the ingredients if not already in solid particulate form; grinding the dried ingredients if not already in solid particulate form; mixing the ground ingredients, thereby forming the additive composition in solid, particulate form. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0084] Non-limiting specific embodiments are described below each of which is considered to be within the present disclosure.

[0085] Embodiment 1. A food or beverage additive composition, comprising: (a) a water-soluble gum; (b) at least two amino acids; (c) an electrolyte; and (d) an anti-caking agent, wherein the additive composition is a solid additive composition, wherein the additive composition comprises a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids of 0.01 or greater (e.g., 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5); 1 or less (e.g., 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02, 0.01, 0.008); or 0.01–1 (e.g., 0.02–0.99; 0.07–0.98; 0.08–0.97; 0.09–0.96; 0.1–0.95; 0.11–0.94; 0.12–0.93; 0.13–0.92; 0.14–0.91; 0.15–0.9; 0.16–0.89; 0.17–0.88; 0.18–0.87; 0.19–0.86; 0.2–0.85; 0.21–0.84; 0.22–0.83; 0.23–0.82; 0.24–0.81; 0.25–0.8; 0.26–0.79; 0.27–0.78; 0.28–0.77; 0.29–0.76; 0.3–0.75; 0.31–0.74; 0.32–0.73; 0.33–0.72; 0.34–0.71; 0.35–0.7; 0.36–0.69; 0.37–0.68; 0.38–0.67; 0.39–0.66; 0.4–0.65; 0.41–0.64; 0.42–0.63; 0.43–0.62; 0.44–0.61; 0.45–0.6; 0.46–0.59; 0.47–0.58; 0.48–0.57; 0.49–0.56; 0.5–0.55; 0.51–0.54; 0.52–0.53).

[0086] Embodiment 2. The additive composition of embodiment 1, wherein the water-soluble gum comprises a particle size of 45 microns or greater (e.g., 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns orCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT less (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 45 microns to 500 microns (e.g., 48 microns to 497 microns; 51 microns to 494 microns; 54 microns to 491 microns; 57 microns to 488 microns; 60 microns to 485 microns; 63 microns to 482 microns; 66 microns to 479 microns; 69 microns to 476 microns; 72 microns to 473 microns; 75 microns to 470 microns; 78 microns to 467 microns; 81 microns to 464 microns; 84 microns to 461 microns; 87 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns to 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns; 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns).

[0087] Embodiment 3. The additive composition of embodiment 1 or embodiment 2, wherein the water-soluble gum is selected from the group consisting of: gum Arabic or acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carob gum (aka Locust bean gum or carob bean gum), cellulose gum, carrageenan, agar-agar, and salts thereof, or any combination thereof.

[0088] Embodiment 4. The additive composition of embodiment 3, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of: sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, and calcium sulfate, or any combinations thereof.

[0089] Embodiment 5. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT

[0090] Embodiment 6. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least two amino acids has a decimal ratio of one amino acid with another amino acids of 0.1 or greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.9, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5); 10 or less (e.g., 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9, 8.8, 8.6, 8.4, 8.2, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7, 6.8, 6.6, 6.4, 6.2, 6, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, 5.2, 5, 4.8, 4.6, 4.4, 4.2, 4, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4, 3.2, 3, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02); or 0.1–10 (e.g., 0.2– 9.9, 0.3–9.8, 0.4–9.7, 0.5–9.6, 0.6–9.5, 0.7–9.4, 0.8–9.3, 0.9–9.2, 1–9.1, 1.1–9, 1.2–8.9, 1.3–8.8, 1.4– 8.7, 1.5–8.6, 1.6–8.5, 1.7–8.4, 1.8–8.3, 1.9–8.2, 2–8.1, 2.1–8, 2.2–7.9, 2.3–7.8, 2.4–7.7, 2.5–7.6, 2.6– 7.5, 2.7–7.4, 2.8–7.3, 2.9–7.2, 3–7.1, 3.1–7, 3.2–6.9, 3.3–6.8, 3.4–6.7, 3.5–6.6, 3.6–6.5, 3.7–6.4, 3.8– 6.3, 3.9–6.2, 4–6.1, 4.1–6, 4.2–5.9, 4.3–5.8, 4.4–5.7, 4.5–5.6, 4.6–5.5, 4.7–5.4, 4.8–5.3, 4.9–5.2, 5–5.1).

[0091] Embodiment 7. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein each of the at least two amino acids comprises a particle size of: 0.1 micron greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns or less (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 0.1 micron to 500 microns (e.g., 0.3 micron to 497 microns; 0.5 micron to 494 microns; 0.7 micron to 491 microns; 0.9 micron to 488 microns; 1 micron to 485 microns; 5 microns to 482 microns; 10 microns to 479 microns; 20 microns to 476 microns; 30 microns to 473 microns; 40 microns to 470 microns; 50 microns to 467 microns; 60 microns to 464 microns; 70 microns to 461 microns; 80 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns to 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns;Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns).

[0092] Embodiment 8. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of: bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, such as, potassium citrate (E332), dipotassium tartrate (E336), potassium malate (E351), potassium sorbate (E202), potassium nitrate (E252), di- and tripotassium phosphate (E340), and tetrapotassium diphosphate (E450), or combinations thereof.

[0093] Embodiment 9. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the anti-caking agent is selected from the group consisting of: calcium silicate (E552), sodium aluminosilicate (E554), sodium bicarbonate (E500), sodium acid pyrophosphate (E450), tricalcium phosphate (E341), silicon dioxide (E551), magnesium stearate (E470b), and magnesium carbonate (E504), or any combinations thereof.

[0094] Embodiment 10. The additive composition of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising a flavorant, a botanical, a carrier, or combinations thereof.

[0095] Embodiment 11. A method of manufacturing the additive composition of any of embodiments 1-10, comprising: (a) drying ingredients selected from the group consisting of: a water-soluble gum, at least two amino acids, electrolytes, anti-caking agents, flavorants, botanicals, effervescence system ingredients, and carriers, or any combinations thereof, forming dried ingredients; (b) grinding the dried ingredients, forming ground ingredients; and (c) mixing the ground ingredients, forming the additive composition of embodiment 1.

[0096] Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the method is performed at room temperature, with a humidity of 30% or more; 75% or less; 30%–75%, or both.

[0097] Embodiment 13. A method of preparing a powdered food or beverage additive composition, comprising: combining a powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids in a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1; mixing the combined powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids,Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT wherein the water-soluble gum decreases time to solution by 70% or less (e.g., 68, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2); by greater than 0% (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75); or 0%–70% (e.g., 1%–69%, 2%–68%, 3%–67%, 4%–66%, 5%-65%, 6%–64%, 7%–63%, 8%– 62%, 9%–61%, 10%–60%, 11%–59%, 12%–58%, 13%–57%, 14%–56%, 15%–55%, 16%–54%, 17%–53%, 18%–52%, 19%–51%, 20%–50%, 21%– 49%, 22%–48%, 23%–47%, 24%–46%, 25%-45%, 26%–44%, 27%–43%, 28%–42%, 29%–41%, 30%–40%, 31%–39%, 32%–38%, 33%–37%, 34%– 36%) in the presence of water-soluble gum as compared to time to solution in the absence of water-soluble gum, wherein the at least two powdered amino acids and / or the water-soluble gum comprises a particle size of 45 microns or greater; 500 microns or less; or 45 microns to 500 microns, wherein a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1, wherein the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

[0098] Embodiment 14. A solution or dispersion, comprising: (a) the additive composition of any one of embodiments 1-10 or produced by the method of embodiments 11-13; and (b) a liquid, thereby forming the solution or dispersion.

[0099] Embodiment 15. The dispersion of embodiment 14, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: water, juice, and a dairy or a non-dairy liquid beverage, or combinations thereof.

[0100] Embodiment 16. The dispersion of embodiment 14 or embodiment 15, further comprising: fats, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, water, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, botanicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and flavorants, or any combinations thereof.

[0101] Embodiment 17. The dispersion of any of embodiments 14-16, wherein the dispersion is formulated for enteral administration.

[0102] Embodiment 18. The dispersion of embodiment 17, wherein the enteral administration is oral.Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT

[0103] Embodiment 19. The dispersion of any of embodiments 14-18, wherein the dispersion is a high-protein formulation.

[0104] Embodiment 20. A method, comprising: (a) combining the additive composition of any of embodiments 1-10 or produced by the method of any of embodiments 11-13, and a liquid; and (b) mixing the liquid containing the additive composition until dissolved, thereby forming a food or beverage product.

[0105] As various changes can be made in the above-described subject matter without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure, it is intended that all subject matter contained in the above description, or defined in the appended claims, be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative of the present disclosure. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings. Accordingly, the present description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0106] All documents cited or referenced herein and all documents cited or referenced in the herein cited documents, together with any manufacturer's instructions, descriptions, product specifications, and product sheets for any products mentioned herein or in any document incorporated by reference herein, are hereby incorporated by reference, and may be employed in the practice of the disclosure.

Claims

Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT CLAIMS 1. A food or beverage additive composition, comprising: (a) a water-soluble gum; (b) at least two amino acids; (c) an electrolyte; and (d) an anti-caking agent, wherein the additive composition is a solid additive composition, wherein the additive composition comprises a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids of 0.01 or greater (e.g., 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 1.1, 1.3, 1.5); 1 or less (e.g., 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02, 0.01, 0.008); or 0.01–1 (e.g., 0.02–0.99; 0.07–0.98; 0.08–0.97; 0.09–0.96; 0.1–0.95; 0.11–0.94; 0.12–0.93; 0.13–0.92; 0.14–0.91; 0.15–0.9; 0.16–0.89; 0.17–0.88; 0.18–0.87; 0.19–0.86; 0.2–0.85; 0.21–0.84; 0.22–0.83; 0.23–0.82; 0.24–0.81; 0.25–0.8; 0.26–0.79; 0.27–0.78; 0.28–0.77; 0.29–0.76; 0.3–0.75; 0.31–0.74; 0.32–0.73; 0.33–0.72; 0.34–0.71; 0.35–0.7; 0.36–0.69; 0.37–0.68; 0.38–0.67; 0.39–0.66; 0.4–0.65; 0.41–0.64; 0.42–0.63; 0.43–0.62; 0.44–0.61; 0.45–0.6; 0.46–0.59; 0.47–0.58; 0.48–0.57; 0.49–0.56; 0.5–0.55; 0.51–0.54; 0.52–0.53).

2. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein the water-soluble gum comprises a particle size of 45 microns or greater (e.g., 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns or less (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 45 microns to 500 microns (e.g., 48 microns to 497 microns; 51 microns to 494 microns; 54 microns to 491 microns; 57 microns to 488 microns; 60 microns to 485 microns; 63 microns to 482 microns; 66 microns to 479 microns; 69 microns to 476 microns; 72 microns to 473 microns; 75 microns to 470 microns; 78 microns to 467 microns; 81 microns to 464 microns; 84 microns to 461 microns; 87 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns toCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns; 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns).

3. The additive composition of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the water-soluble gum is selected from the group consisting of: gum Arabic or acacia gum, guar gum, gellan gum, xanthan gum, carob gum (aka Locust bean gum or carob bean gum), cellulose gum, carrageenan, agar-agar, and salts thereof, or any combination thereof.

4. The additive composition of claim 3, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of: sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, and calcium sulfate, or any combinations thereof.

5. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

6. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein the at least two amino acids has a decimal ratio of one amino acid with another amino acid of 0.1 or greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.3, 3.5, 3.7, 3.9, 4.1, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, 7.1, 7.3, 7.5, 7.7, 7.9, 8.1, 8.3, 8.5, 8.7, 8.9, 9.1, 9.3, 9.5, 9.7, 9.9, 10.1, 10.3, 10.5); 10 or less (e.g., 9.8, 9.6, 9.4, 9.2, 9, 8.8, 8.6, 8.4, 8.2, 8, 7.8, 7.6, 7.4, 7.2, 7, 6.8, 6.6, 6.4, 6.2, 6, 5.8, 5.6, 5.4, 5.2, 5, 4.8, 4.6, 4.4, 4.2, 4, 3.8, 3.6, 3.4, 3.2, 3, 2.8, 2.6, 2.4, 2.2, 2, 1.8, 1.6, 1.4, 1.2, 1, 0.8, 0.6, 0.4, 0.2, 0.08, 0.06, 0.04, 0.02); or 0.1–10 (e.g., 0.2–9.9, 0.3–9.8, 0.4–9.7, 0.5–9.6, 0.6–9.5, 0.7– 9.4, 0.8–9.3, 0.9–9.2, 1–9.1, 1.1–9, 1.2–8.9, 1.3–8.8, 1.4–8.7, 1.5–8.6, 1.6–8.5, 1.7–8.4, 1.8–8.3, 1.9– 8.2, 2–8.1, 2.1–8, 2.2–7.9, 2.3–7.8, 2.4–7.7, 2.5–7.6, 2.6–7.5, 2.7–7.4, 2.8–7.3, 2.9–7.2, 3–7.1, 3.1–7, 3.2–6.9, 3.3–6.8, 3.4–6.7, 3.5–6.6, 3.6–6.5, 3.7–6.4, 3.8–6.3, 3.9–6.2, 4–6.1, 4.1–6, 4.2–5.9, 4.3–5.8, 4.4–5.7, 4.5–5.6, 4.6–5.5, 4.7–5.4, 4.8–5.3, 4.9–5.2, 5–5.1).

7. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two amino acids comprises a particle size of: 0.1 micron greater (e.g., 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 65, 75, 85, 95, 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 205, 215, 225, 235, 245, 255, 265, 275, 285, 295, 305, 315, 325, 335, 345, 355, 365, 375, 385, 395, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, 465, 475, 485, 495, 505, 515); 500 microns or lessCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT (e.g., 490, 480, 470, 460, 450, 440, 430, 420, 410, 400, 390, 380, 370, 360, 350, 340, 330, 320, 310, 300, 290, 280, 270, 260, 250, 240, 230, 220, 210, 200, 190, 180, 170, 160, 150, 140, 130, 120, 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50); or 0.1 micron to 500 microns (e.g., 0.3 micron to 497 microns; 0.5 micron to 494 microns; 0.7 micron to 491 microns; 0.9 micron to 488 microns; 1 micron to 485 microns; 5 microns to 482 microns; 10 microns to 479 microns; 20 microns to 476 microns; 30 microns to 473 microns; 40 microns to 470 microns; 50 microns to 467 microns; 60 microns to 464 microns; 70 microns to 461 microns; 80 microns to 458 microns; 90 microns to 455 microns; 93 microns to 452 microns; 96 microns to 449 microns; 99 microns to 446 microns; 102 microns to 443 microns; 105 microns to 440 microns; 108 microns to 437 microns; 111 microns to 434 microns; 114 microns to 431 microns; 117 microns to 428 microns; 120 microns to 425 microns; 123 microns to 422 microns; 126 microns to 419 microns; 129 microns to 416 microns; 132 microns to 413 microns; 135 microns to 410 microns; 138 microns to 407 microns; 141 microns to 404 microns; 144 microns to 401 microns; 147 microns to 398 microns; 150 microns to 395 microns; 153 microns to 392 microns; 156 microns to 389 microns; 159 microns to 386 microns; 162 microns to 383 microns; 165 microns to 380 microns; 168 microns to 377 microns; 171 microns to 374 microns; 174 microns to 371 microns; 177 microns to 368 microns; 180 microns to 365 microns; 183 microns to 362 microns; 186 microns to 359 microns; 189 microns to 356 microns; 192 microns to 353 microns; 195 microns to 350 microns; 198 microns to 347 microns; 201 microns to 344 microns; 204 microns to 341 microns; 207 microns to 338 microns; 210 microns to 335 microns; 213 microns to 332 microns; 216 microns to 329 microns; 219 microns to 326 microns; 222 microns to 323 microns; 225 microns to 320 microns; 228 microns to 317 microns; 231 microns to 314 microns; 234 microns to 311 microns; 237 microns to 308 microns; 240 microns to 305 microns; 243 microns to 302 microns; 246 microns to 299 microns; 249 microns to 296 microns; 252 microns to 293 microns; 255 microns to 290 microns; 258 microns to 287 microns; 261 microns to 284 microns; 264 microns to 281 microns; 267 microns to 278 microns; 270 microns to 275 microns).

8. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group consisting of: bicarbonate, calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium, sodium, such as, potassium citrate (E332), dipotassium tartrate (E336), potassium malate (E351), potassium sorbate (E202), potassium nitrate (E252), di- and tripotassium phosphate (E340), and tetrapotassium diphosphate (E450), or combinations thereof.

9. The additive composition of claim 1, wherein the anti-caking agent is selected from the group consisting of: calcium silicate (E552), sodium aluminosilicate (E554), sodium bicarbonate (E500), sodium acid pyrophosphate (E450), tricalcium phosphate (E341), silicon dioxide (E551), magnesium stearate (E470b), and magnesium carbonate (E504), or any combinations thereof.

10. The additive composition of claim 1, further comprising a flavorant, a botanical, a carrier, or combinations thereof.

11. A method of manufacturing the additive composition of claim 1, comprising:Customer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT (a) drying ingredients selected from the group consisting of: a water-soluble gum, at least two amino acids, electrolytes, anti-caking agents, flavorants, botanicals, effervescence system ingredients, and carriers, or any combinations thereof, forming dried ingredients; (b) grinding the dried ingredients, forming ground ingredients; and (c) mixing the ground ingredients, forming the additive composition of claim 1.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the method is performed at room temperature, with a humidity of 30% or more; 75% or less; 30%-75%, or both.

13. A method of preparing a powdered food or beverage additive composition, comprising: combining a powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids in a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum relative to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1; and mixing the combined powdered water-soluble gum and at least two powdered amino acids, wherein the water-soluble gum decreases time to solution by 70% or less (e.g., 68, 66, 64, 62, 60, 58, 56, 54, 52, 50, 48, 46, 44, 42, 40, 38, 36, 34, 32, 30, 28, 26, 24, 22, 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2); by greater than 0% (e.g., 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45, 47, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73, 75); or 0%–70% (e.g., 1%–69%, 2%–68%, 3%–67%, 4%–66%, 5%-65%, 6%–64%, 7%–63%, 8%– 62%, 9%–61%, 10%–60%, 11%–59%, 12%–58%, 13%–57%, 14%–56%, 15%–55%, 16%–54%, 17%–53%, 18%–52%, 19%–51%, 20%–50%, 21%– 49%, 22%–48%, 23%–47%, 24%–46%, 25%-45%, 26%–44%, 27%–43%, 28%–42%, 29%–41%, 30%–40%, 31%–39%, 32%–38%, 33%–37%, 34%– 36%) in the presence of water-soluble gum as compared to time to solution in the absence of water-soluble gum, wherein the at least two powdered amino acids comprises a particle size of 45 microns or greater; 500 microns or less; or 45 microns to 500 microns, wherein a weight ratio of the water-soluble gum to the at least two amino acids is 0.01 or greater; 1 or less; or 0.01–1, wherein the at least two amino acids are selected from the group consisting of: alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

14. A dispersion, comprising: (a) the additive composition of any of claims 1-10 or produced by the method of any of claims 11-13; andCustomer Number: 67395 Docket No.: 223601-012301 / PCT (b) a liquid.

15. The dispersion of claim 14, wherein the liquid is selected from the group consisting of: water, juice, and a dairy or a non-dairy liquid beverage, or combinations thereof.

16. The dispersion of claim 14, further comprising: fats, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins, water, vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, botanicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and flavorants, or any combinations thereof.

17. The dispersion of claim 14, wherein the dispersion is formulated for enteral administration.

18. The dispersion of claim 17, wherein the enteral administration is oral.

19. The dispersion of claim 14, wherein the dispersion is a high-protein formulation.

20. A method, comprising: (a) combining the additive composition of any of claims 1-10 or produced by the method of any of claims 11-13, and a liquid; and (b) mixing the liquid containing the additive composition, thereby forming a food or beverage product.