Apple PEEL compositions and related methods

Abstract

Food and / or beverage additives are generally provided. The additives, such as additives comprising apple, apple constituents, and / or apple byproducts, may be administered to a subject. For example, in some embodiments, food and / or beverages comprising apple- derived additives are generally provided. In some embodiments, the additive comprises one or more components from an apple (e.g., apple peel) and / or derived from an apple (e.g., apple peel powder, liquid extract, or the like).

Description

[0001] APPLE PEEL COMPOSITIONS AND RELATED METHODS

[0002] FIELD

[0003] The present inventive concepts generally relate to the field of apple peel compositions and related methods, in particular, the present invention generally relates to additives comprising apple, apple constituents, and / or apple byproducts, such as apple peel powder, apple extract, and the like.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] The subject matter of the present disclosure involves, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and / or a plurality of different uses of one or more systems and / or articles.

[0006] In one aspect, methods for reducing and / or preventing skin damage to a consumer prior to sun exposure are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises administering, to the consumer, an edible consumer product, the edible consumer product comprising an additive, wherein the additive comprises an apple-derived component.

[0007] In other aspects, edible consumer products are provided. In some embodiments, the edible consumer product comprises an additive comprising an apple-derived component having a phenolic content suitable for reducing and / or preventing skin damage to a consumer upon exposure to the sun.

[0008] Other advantages and novel features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of various non-limiting embodiments of the disclosure when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

[0009] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures, which are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component illustrated is typically represented by a single numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention. In the figures: FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary edible consumer product, according to one set of embodiments.

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to additives comprising apple, apple constituents, and / or apple byproducts, such as apple peel powder, apple extract, and the like (e.g., for use in food, beverages, and / or in therapeutic applications). The present inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0013] The additives, such as additives comprising apple, apple constituents, and / or apple byproducts, may be administered to a subject. For example, in some embodiments, food and / or beverages comprising apple-derived additives are generally provided. In some embodiments, the additive comprises one or more components from an apple (e.g., apple peel) and / or derived from an apple (e.g., apple peel powder, liquid extract, or the like). For example, in some embodiments, the additive comprises apple peel, apple flesh and / or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the additive is fermented (e.g., fermented apple peel, fermented apple flesh).

[0014] The additives described herein may be useful when added a food, beverage, and / or pharmaceutical composition e.g., provide an advantageous health benefit.

[0015] As recognized by the inventor(s), lower levels of fructose may provide benefits to a consumer. The term “consumer," as used herein, refers to an individual organism such as a human or an animal. In some embodiments, the consumer is a mammal (e.g., a human, a non-human primate, or a non-human mammal), a vertebrate, a laboratory animal, a domesticated animal, an agricultural animal, or a companion animal. In some embodiments, the consumer is a human. In some embodiments, the consumer is a rodent, a mouse, a rat, a hamster, a rabbit, a dog, a cat, a cow, a goat, a sheep, or a pig. For example, and without wishing to be bound by theory, consumption (e.g., eating, drinking, swallowing, or otherwise administering to the consumer) additives comprising e.g., dried apple peel powder, extracts, or ferments thereof, may help protect skin from within anti-aging, wrinkling, hydration, sun protection, amongst others. Advantageously, the additives described herein may contain, in some embodiments, an advantageous and beneficial amount of polyphenols (e.g., such that it provides a health benefit to the consumer). In some embodiments, the additives described herein may be combined with other fruit, berry, and / or vegetable polyphenols e.g., to boost the activity through the synergistic affects certain polyphenols have with one another, thereby ultimately increasing the effect on skin, health and production. In some embodiments, the additives described herein (e.g., when consumed by a consumer) provide anti-inflammatory properties. In some cases, the beneficial effects of the additives may be experienced by a consumer within hours, months, and / or years. In some embodiments, the consumer may consume (e.g., eat, drink, swallow, or otherwise be ingesting) an article (e.g., food, beverage, capsule, etc.) comprising the additive prior to sun exposure (e.g., to reduce or prevent damaging rays of the sun and / or increase hydration and protectiveness of skin to oxidative factors). In some embodiments, ingestion of the additive may result in benefits to the skin of the consume including photo-protection, wrinkle-reduction, improved skin elasticity, and / or improved skin hydration.

[0016] In some embodiments, the additive may be provided in a capsule. In some embodiments, the additive is not provided in a capsule. For example, in some embodiments, the additive is configured to be administered directly to a subject (e.g., without encapsulation in a capsule) such as in a beverage, food, or other consumable. For example, as shown illustratively in FIG. 1, additive 110 is contained within edible consumer product 100 (e.g., a beverage, a food, or other consumable).

[0017] In some embodiments, the capsule is a 000 capsule or smaller (e.g., the capsule has a shape or size as described in the USP including, but not limited to, 000 capsule, 00 capsule, 0 capsule, 1 capsule, 2 capsule, 3 capsule, 4 capsule, or 5 capsule). In certain embodiments, the article comprises a coating on at least a portion of an outer surface of the capsule (e.g., such that the additive is released internal to the subject such as in the stomach or intestines). In certain embodiments, the coating comprises one or more of a polymer, a plasticizer, a colorant, a solvent, a fat, and a wax. Non-limiting examples of suitable fats and / or waxes include beeswax, carnauba wax, cetyl alcohol, and cetostearyl alcohol.

[0018] In some embodiments, articles comprising the additive further comprise one or more natural pigments. Non-limiting examples of suitable colorants include natural pigments (e.g. riboflavin, beta-carotene, carmine lake), inorganic pigments (e.g. titanium dioxide, iron oxides), water-soluble dyes (FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C blue #2), FD&C lakes (FD&C Yellow #5 Lake, FD&C Blue #2 Lake), and D&C lakes (D&C Yellow #10 Lake, D&C Red #30 Lake).

[0019] In some embodiments, the additives described herein are provided in powder form, liquid form, or as an extract (e.g., fermented or non-fermented). In some embodiments, the additive comprises one or more fruit components. In some embodiments, the one or more fruit components are derived from a fruit selected from the group consisting of pomes (e.g., apple, pear, quince, loquat, medlar, rowan), citrus (e.g., lemon, grapefruit, orange), gourds, berries and / or aggregate fruits (e.g., blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, elderberry, blackberry, currant, banana, tomato, grape, watermelon, pumpkin, melons), and drupes (e.g., mango, peach, plum, cherry, apricot). In an exemplary set of embodiments, the fruit is apple.

[0020] In some embodiments, the one or more fruit components comprises peel / skin, flesh / pulp, pit, seed, sepal, pistal and / or pedicel (e.g., the skin or flesh of an apple).

[0021] In some embodiments, the one or more fruit components comprises a liquid. As used herein, a “liquid” is given its ordinary meaning. A liquid generally cannot maintain a defined shape and will flow during an observable time frame to fill the container in which it is put. Thus, the liquid may have any suitable viscosity that permits flow. In some embodiments, the liquid is an extract, a concentrate, a juice, a nectar, and / or a syrup.

[0022] In some embodiments, the liquid is a deionized liquid (e.g., a deionized juice concentrate).

[0023] In some embodiments, the additive is in powder or granular form. In some embodiments, the additive is in liquid form. In some embodiments, the additive comprises an aqueous solution comprising the sweetener. In some embodiments, the sweetener is water soluble.

[0024] In some embodiments, edible consumer products are provided. In some embodiments, the edible consumer product is a food product. In some embodiments, the edible consumer product is a beverage.

[0025] In some embodiments, the edible consumer product is a food and comprises a coating and / or powder, the coating and / or powder comprising an additive as described herein.

[0026] In some embodiments, the edible consumer product is a beverage and comprises an additive as described herein.

[0027] In an exemplary set of embodiments, the additive comprises an apple component, the apple component can comprise apple peel, apple flesh, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component can take the form of a solid, such apple flesh and / or apple peel in dried or granular form, as examples. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component can take the form of a liquid, such as an extract, concentrate, juice, nectar, or syrup comprising apple flesh and / or peel, as examples. In some embodiments, the apple component can take the form of or include apple nectar or concentrated apple juice.

[0028] In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component can include apple in dried and / or liquid form. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component can be a combination of an apple liquid with an apple in a solid or dried form, e.g., granular or powder. In some embodiments, the additive is derived from at least one dried fruit. Various embodiments, the at least one dried fruit can be a single fruit, while in other embodiments, the at least one dried fruit can be a plurality of different fruits. In some embodiments, for example, the at least one dried fruit can be or include dried apple, such as dried apple flesh, dried apple juice, dried apple peel, or a combination thereof. For example, dried apple could be or include dried apple peel powder. In various embodiments, the at least one dried fruit can be or include on or more of dried grape, dried cranberry, dried raspberry, dried pomegranate, dried blueberry, dried blackberry, or other dried fruits. In any case, the dried fruit can include one or more of dried flesh, dried juice, and / or dried skin or peel.

[0029] In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component in the solid form can be soluble, but in some embodiments the apple component in the solid form can be insoluble. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component in the solid form can include an insoluble portion and a soluble portion. Other combinations of insoluble and / or soluble apple peel and / or flesh in liquid and / or dried form can be used to form the apple component.

[0030] In an exemplary set of embodiments, the apple component can more broadly be a fruit component that comprises one or more other (non-apple) fruits as an alternative to or in combination with apple in dried and / or liquid form.

[0031] In an exemplary set of embodiments, the additive can be added to or used as an ingredient in the preparation of a variety of types foods or beverages. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the additive can be used as a dry or liquid condiment. Such food products can include, but are not limited to, cereal, baked goods, sports bars, breakfast bars, granola, gummies and candies, yogurt, ice cream, mixes for baked goods, and so forth. Such beverages can include, but are not limited to, soft drinks, sodas, juices, teas, smoothies, vitamin supplement and / or probiotic drinks, waters, sports drinks, milks, and so forth. In some embodiments, the edible consumer product comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of juice, soda, milk, tea, smoothie, water, sports drink, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, syrup, honey, jelly, peanut butter, butter, chocolate syrup, shortening, butter, margarine, oleo, grease, dip, yogurt, sour cream, oil, marshmallow, dough, batter, baked goods, chewing gum, bubble gum, butter, cheese, cream, cream cheese, mustard, yogurt, sour cream, curry, sauce, dessert toppings, whipped cream and toothpaste.

[0032] The additive may be present in the edible consumer product (e.g., food, beverage, capsule) in any suitable amount. For example, in some embodiments, the additive (e.g., comprising an apple-derived component as described above) is present in the edible consumer product in an amount of greater than or equal to 1 wt%, greater than or equal to 2 wt%, greater than or equal to 5 wt%, greater than or equal to 10 wt%, greater than or equal 20 wt%, greater than or equal 30 wt%, greater than or equal to 40 wt%, greater than or equal to 50 wt%, greater than or equal to 60 wt%, greater than or equal to 70 wt%, greater than or equal to 80 wt%, greater than or equal to 90 wt%, greater than or equal to 95 wt%, greater than or equal to 98 wt%, greater than or equal to 99 wt%, or greater than or equal to 99.5 wt% versus the total weight of the edible consumer product. In some embodiments, the additive is present in the edible consumer product in an amount less than or equal to 99.9 wt%, less than or equal to 99.5 wt%, less than or equal to 99 wt%, less than or equal to 98 wt%, less than or equal to 95 wt%, less than or equal to 90 wt%, less than or equal to 80 wt%, less than or equal to 70 wt%, less than or equal to 60 wt%, less than or equal to 50 wt%, less than or equal to 40 wt%, less than or equal to 30 wt%, less than or equal to 20 wt%, less than or equal to 10 wt%, less than or equal to 5 wt%, or less than or equal to 2 wt% versus the total weight of the edible consumer product. Combinations of the above referenced ranges are also possible (e.g., greater than or equal to 1 wt% and less than or equal to 10 wt%, greater than or equal to 10 wt% and less than or equal to 30 wt%, greater than or equal to 20 wt% and less than or equal to 50 wt%, greater than or equal to 40 wt% and less than or equal to 80 wt%, greater than or equal to 50 wt% and less than or equal to 90 wt%, greater than or equal to 90 wt% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt%). Other ranges are also possible. In an illustrative embodiment, a beverage comprising the additive may comprise greater than or equal to 1 wt% and less than or equal to 30 wt% of additive versus the total beverage weight. In another illustrative embodiment, a capsule comprising the additive may comprise greater than or equal to 80 wt% and less than or equal to 99.9 wt% additive (e.g., disposed within the capsule). In some embodiments, the consumer directly consumes the additive. In some embodiments, one or more additional components (e.g., flavors, flours, liquids, and other food components) may be present in the edible consumer product, as described above.

[0033] In some embodiments, the edible consumer product (e.g., a serving thereof) comprises a beneficial amount of additive (e.g., per serving). In some embodiments, the edible consumer product comprises greater than or equal to 10 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg, 750 mg, 1000 mg, 2000 mg, 3000 mg, 4000 mg, 4250 mg, or 5000 mg of additive per serving of the edible consumer product. In some embodiments, the edible consumer product comprises less than or equal to 5000 mg, 4250 mg, 4000 mg, 3000 mg, 2000 mg, 1000 mg, 750 mg, 500 mg, 250 mg, 100 mg, 50 mg, 10 mg, or 5 mg of additive per serving of the edible consumer product. Combinations of the above-referenced ranges are also possible.

[0034] In some embodiments, the edible consumer product is designed and adapted to provide the additive in a suitable dose to the consumer. For example, in some embodiments, the consumer would consume the edible consumer product comprising the additive in an amount such that the consumer consumes greater than or equal to 100 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, 2000 mg, 4000 mg, or 5000 mg of additive per day. Advantageously, consumption of the edible consumer product having a daily dose in one or more ranges above may provide health benefits to the consumer.

[0035] In some embodiments, the additive (e.g., comprising one or more apple components such as skin and / or flesh, and in some exemplary embodiments, a dried apple peel powder) comprises a relatively high phenolic content. For example, in some embodiments, the phenolic content (e.g., total antioxidant activity) of the additive is greater than or equal to 3%, greater than or equal to 5%, greater than or equal to 10%, greater than or equal to 20%, greater than or equal to 30%, greater than or equal to 35%, or greater. In an exemplary set of embodiments, the additive includes Polyphenols / Total Antioxidant Activity of > 3.00%. But in some embodiments, an edible consumer product having apple material having Polyphenols / Total Antioxidant Activity of 0.00% < and < 3.00% could also provide improvements and advantages over the edible consumer products without the apple material, e.g., an edible consumer product having an additive with polyphenols / Total Antioxidant Activity of 0.00% < and < 0.50%, 0.50% < and < 1.00%, 1.00% < and < 1.50%, 1.50% < and < 2.00%, 2.00% < and < 2.50%, and / or 2.50% < and < 3.00% could be advantageously provided. In some embodiments, the Polyphenols / Total Antioxidant Activity of can be between in a range of about 3% to about 10%, 10% to 20%, and / or 20% to about 35%, or more.

[0036] In some embodiments, the consumer consumes (e.g., eats, drinks, ingests) the edible consumer product comprising the additive prior to exposure to the sun (e.g., to reduce any detrimental effects of the sun exposure e.g., to the skin). In some embodiments, the consumer consumes the edible consumer product comprising the additive at least 30 minutes, at least 1 hour, at least 2 hours, at least 3 hours, at least 4 hours, or at least 6 hours prior to exposure of the skin to the sun. In some embodiments, the values and / or ranges of the above could be different. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and / or other preferred embodiments, it is understood that various modifications can be made therein and that the invention or inventions may be implemented in various forms and embodiments, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim that which is literally described and all equivalents thereto, including all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of each claim.

[0037] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provide in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0038] While several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and / or structures for performing the functions and / or obtaining the results and / or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and / or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present disclosure is / are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present disclosure is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and / or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and / or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0039] In cases where the present specification and a document incorporated by reference include conflicting and / or inconsistent disclosure, the present specification shall control. If two or more documents incorporated by reference include conflicting and / or inconsistent disclosure with respect to each other, then the document having the later effective date shall control.

[0040] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0041] The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

[0042] The phrase “and / or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0043] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of’ or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”

[0044] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0045] When the word “about” is used herein in reference to a number, it should be understood that still another embodiment of the disclosure includes that number not modified by the presence of the word “about.”

[0046] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.

[0047] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of reducing and / or preventing skin damage to a consumer prior to sun exposure, the method comprising: administering, to the consumer, an edible consumer product, the edible consumer product comprising an additive, wherein the additive comprises an apple-derived component.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the additive comprises a diluent (e.g., water).

3. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the additive further comprises one or more fruit components.

4. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the one or more fruit components are derived from a fruit selected from the group consisting of pomes (e.g., apple, pear, quince, loquat, medlar, rowan), citrus (e.g., lemon, grapefruit, orange), gourds, berries and / or aggregate fruits (e.g., blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, cranberry, elderberry, blackberry, currant, banana, tomato, grape, watermelon, pumpkin, melons), and drupes (e.g., mango, peach, plum, cherry, apricot).

5. A method as in claim 4, wherein the fruit is apple.

6. A method as in claim 3, wherein the apple-derived component comprises peel / skin, flesh / pulp, pit, seed, sepal, pistal, pedicel, and / or combinations thereof.

7. A method as in claim 3, wherein the apple-derived component is a liquid (e.g., an extract, a concentrate, a juice, a nectar, a syrup).

8. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the additive is in powder or granular form.

9. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the additive is in liquid form.

10. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the additive is water soluble.

11. A method as in any preceding claim, wherein the consumer consumes the edible consumer product greater than or equal to 1 hour prior to sun exposure.

12. An edible consumer product, the edible consumer product comprising: an additive comprising an apple-derived component having a phenolic content suitable for reducing and / or preventing skin damage to a consumer upon exposure to the sun.

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