Powder compositions comprising electrolytes

Abstract

Powder compositions comprising one or more electrolytes and processes of manufacturing the same. Such compositions can be used in the rehydration of a human in need thereof.

Description

Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1POWDER COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING ELECTROLYTES1. FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to powder compositions, and in particular powder compositions comprising one or more electrolytes. The disclosure further relates to methods of manufacturing such powder compositions and to the use of such powder compositions for the rehydration of a human.2. BACKGROUND

[0002] Dehydration is a health concern that affects individuals of all ages, particularly children and athletes. Various factors can contribute to dehydration including intense physical activity, inadequate fluid intake, hot weather, and illness. Standard beverages such as water often lack the necessary electrolytes to effectively rehydrate and restore balance within the body.

[0003] Electrolyte powders which can be reconstituted into electrolyte drinks, for example with water, are typically formulated to replace the body’s essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, and calcium. However, many existing products contain high levels of sugars which may not be suitable for all consumers, especially children. Despite the availability of electrolyte powders, there remains a need for innovative formulations that prioritize health and wellness while being effective and palatable to the consumer. Effective hydration with a focus on natural ingredients, balanced electrolyte ratios, and appealing flavors are desirable in such product forms. The present disclosure addresses these and other needs.3. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure provides powder compositions. The powder composition includes one or more electrolytes, one or more trace minerals, one or more prebiotics, and one or more rehydration sugars.

[0005] In certain embodiments, the powder composition can further include one or more acidulants.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the one or more prebiotics can include soluble corn fiber.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the one or more rehydration sugars can include dextrose monohydrate.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1

[0008] In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can include sodium, chloride, and potassium.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the one or more trace minerals can include zinc.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can include sucrose, Rebaudioside M (RebM), monk fruit extract, or combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can be present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes are present in an amount of from about 5% to about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The presently disclosed subject matter relates to powder compositions, and in particular powder compositions including one or more electrolytes and methods of manufacturing the same. Such compositions can be used for the rehydration of a human in need thereof.

[0013] These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter are discussed in more detail below and in the Examples. For clarity, and not by way of limitation, this detailed description is divided into the following sub-portions:4.1. Definitions;4.2. Powder Compositions;4.3. Methods of Making Powder Compositions;4.4. Methods of Using Powder Compositions; and4.5. Features of Powder Compositions.4.1. Definitions

[0014] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art within the context of this disclosure and in specific context where each term is used. Certain terms are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance in describing the compositions and methods of the disclosure and how to make and use them.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1

[0015] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an ingredient” includes mixtures of ingredients.

[0016] To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative expressions given herein are not qualified with the term “about”. It is understood that whether the term “about” is used explicitly or not, every quantity given herein is meant to refer to the actual given value, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and / or measurement conditions for such given value. The general convention in the scientific and technical literature is applied: the last decimal place of a numerical value indicates its degree of accuracy. Where no other error margins are given, the maximum margin is ascertained by applying the rounding-off convention to the last decimal place, for example for a measurement of 3.5 %, the error margin is 3.45-3.54.

[0017] As used herein, “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0018] The expression “one or more” is synonymous with “at least one” and includes individual components as well as mixtures / combinations.

[0019] All percentages, parts and ratios herein are based upon the total weight of the cleaning compositions of the present disclosure, unless otherwise indicated.

[0020] As used herein, the terms “%w / w” or “weight percent” refers to the percentage of an ingredient(s) / the total percentage by weight of the composition (100%). The terms “%w / w” or “weight percent” refer to the quantity by weight of a constituent or component. The terms “weight percent”, “wt-%”, “wt.%”, and “wt%” are used interchangeably.

[0021] All publications and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference, and for any and all purposes, as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The present disclosure controls if there an inconsistency between the present disclosure and any incorporated publications or patents.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT14.2. Powder Compositions

[0022] Powder compositions of the present disclosure include one or more electrolytes. In certain embodiments, the powder compositions can include one or more electrolytes, one or more trace minerals, one or more prebiotics, one or more acidulants, one or more rehydration sugars, one or more sweeteners, one or more flow aids, one or more flavoring agents, one or more colorants, or combinations thereof.4.2.1. Electrolytes

[0023] The powder solution can include one or more electrolytes. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of electrolytes are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can include potassium, sodium, chloride, or combinations thereof. For example, and not by way of limitation, the one or more electrolytes can include sodium (as sodium carbonate), sodium (as sodium bicarbonate), sodium (as sodium chloride), chloride (as sodium chloride), chloride (as potassium chloride), potassium (as potassium chloride), potassium (as potassium bicarbonate), or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can include sodium (as sodium carbonate), sodium (as sodium bicarbonate), sodium (as sodium chloride), chloride (as sodium chloride), chloride (as potassium chloride), potassium (as potassium chloride) and potassium (as potassium bicarbonate).

[0024] The one or more electrolytes can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 30%, about 10% to about 25%, or about 10% to about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can be present in an amount of about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, or about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can be present in an amount of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 12%, or at least about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.2. Trace Minerals

[0025] The powder composition can include one or more trace minerals. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of trace minerals are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more trace minerals can include zinc (as zinc gluconate).Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1

[0026] The one or more trace minerals can be present in an amount of from 0.001% to about 3%, about 0.01% to about 2%, or about 0.05% to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more trace minerals can be present in an amount of about 0.001%, about 0.01%, about 0.05%, about 0.09%, about 0.1%, about 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, or about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more trace minerals can be present in an amount of about 2% or less, 1% or less, 0.5% or less, 0.09% or less, or 0.05% or less by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.3. Prebiotics

[0027] The powder composition can include one or more prebiotics. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of prebiotics are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more prebiotics can include soluble corn fiber.

[0028] The one or more prebiotics can be present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 10%, about 0.8% to about 5%, or about 1% to about 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more prebiotics can be present in an amount of about 0.5%, about 0.8%, about 1%, about 1.5%, about 5%, or about 8% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more prebiotics can be present in an amount of about 8% or less, about 5% or less, about 3% or less, or about 1.5% or less by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.4. Acidulants

[0029] The powder composition can include one or more acidulants. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of acidulants are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more acidulants can include citric acid, for example, anhydrous citric acid, tartaric acid, or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments, the one or more acidulant can include citric acid and tartaric acid.

[0030] The one or more acidulants can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 20%, about 8% to about 15%, or about 10% to about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more acidulants can be present in an amount of about 5%, about 8%, about 10%, about 12%, about 15%, or about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or moreAttorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1 acidulants can be present in an amount of at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 12%, or at least about 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.5. Rehydration Sugars

[0031] The powder composition can include one or more rehydration sugars. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of rehydration sugars are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more rehydration sugars can include dextrose monohydrate.

[0032] The one or more rehydration sugars can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 45%, about 10% to about 40%, or about 20% to about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more rehydration sugars can be present in an amount of about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, or about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more rehydration sugars can be present in an amount of about 45% or less, about 40% or less, about 35% or less, about 30% or less, about 20% or less, or about 10% or less by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.6. Sweeteners

[0033] The powder composition can include one or more sweeteners. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of sweeteners are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can include sucrose, Rebaudioside M (RebM), monk fruit extract, or combinations thereof. In particular embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can include Rebaudioside M (RebM), monk fruit extract, and sucrose.

[0034] The one or more sweeteners can be present in an amount of from about 5% to about 40%, about 10% to about 35%, or about 20% to about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can be present in an amount of about 5%, about 10%, about 15%, about 20%, about 25%, about 30%, about 32%, or about 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more sweeteners can be present in an amount of about 40% or less, bout 35% or less, about 32% or less, about 20% or less, about 15% or less, or about 10% or less by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT14.2.7. Flow Aids

[0035] The powder composition can include one or more flow aids. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of flow aids are suitable for use with the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the one or more flow aids can include silicon dioxide.

[0036] The one or more flow aids can be present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, or about 0.2% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more flow aids can be present in an amount of about 0.01%, about 0.2%, about 0.5%, or about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more flow aids can be present in an amount of at least about 0.01%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, or at least about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.8. Flavoring Agents

[0037] The powder composition can include one or more flavoring agents. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of flavoring agents are suitable for use with the present disclosure.

[0038] The one or more flavoring agents can be present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, or about 0.2% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more flavoring agents can be present in an amount of about 0.01%, about 0.2%, about 0.5%, or about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more flavoring agents can be present in an amount of at least about 0.01%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, or at least about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.9. Colorants

[0039] The powder composition can include one or more colorants. A person skilled in the art will appreciate a wide variety of colorants are suitable for use with the present disclosure.

[0040] The one or more colorants can be present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 2%, about 0.1% to about 1%, or about 0.2% to about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more colorants can be present in an amount of about 0.01%, about 0.2%, about 0.5%, or about 1% by weight, based on the total weightAttorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1 of the powder composition. In particular embodiments, the one or more colorants can be present in an amount of at least about 0.01%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, or at least about 0.5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.4.2.10. Formulations

[0041] Powder compositions of the present disclosure can include one or more electrolytes. In certain embodiments, the powder composition can include one or more electrolytes, one or more trace minerals, one or more prebiotics, one or more acidulants, one or more rehydration sugars, one or more sweeteners, one or more flow aids, one or more flavoring agents, and one or more colorants. In certain embodiments, the powder composition can include from about 5% to about 30% by weight of one or more electrolytes; from about 0.001% to about 3% by weight of one or more trace minerals; from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of one or more prebiotics; from about 5% to about 20% by weight of one or more acidulants; from about 5% to about 45% by weight of one or more rehydration sugars; from about 5% to about 40% by weight of one or more sweeteners; from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of one or more flow aids; from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of one or more flavoring agents; and from about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of one or more colorants, based on the total weight of the powder composition. In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes can include, sodium (as sodium carbonate), sodium (as sodium bicarbonate), sodium (as sodium chloride), chloride (as sodium chloride), chloride (as potassium chloride), potassium (as potassium chloride), and potassium (as potassium bicarbonate); the one or more trace minerals can include zinc (as zinc gluconate); the one or more prebiotics can include soluble corn fiber; the one or more acidulants can include citric acid and tartaric acid; the one or more rehydration sugars can include dextrose monohydrate; the one or more sweeteners can include sucrose, monk fruit extract, and Rebaudioside M (RebM); and the one or more flow aids can include silicon dioxide.4.3. Methods of Making Powder Compositions

[0042] Methods of making powder compositions of the present disclosure are provided. In certain embodiments, the one or more electrolytes and the one or more trace minerals can be added to a suitable container and blended, for example, end over end for about five minutes to form a first mixture. The one or more prebiotics, the one or more acidulants, the one or more rehydration sugars, the one or more sweeteners, the one or more flow aids, the one or more flavoring agents,Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1 and the one or more colorants can be added to the first mixture and blended, for example, end over end for an additional five minutes to form the final mixture.4.4. Methods of Using Powder Compositions

[0043] Powder compositions of the present disclosure can be used alone or reconstituted in a liquid such as water. Methods of using the powder compositions in the rehydration of a human in need thereof are provided.4.5. Features of Powder Compositions

[0044] In certain aspects, powder compositions of the present disclosure can be packaged into any suitable packaging, for example, individual pouches or sticks for single serve consumption.

[0045] In certain aspects, powder compositions of the present disclosure can be effervescent. For example, such powder compositions upon reconstitution (for example, in a liquid such as water) dissolved very quickly and retained a mild fizziness. The mild fizziness of the reconstituted powder compositions provided a desirable and interesting sensory experience for a rehydration product for consumers. Such effervescent properties of powder compositions of the present disclosure upon their reconstitution can be attributed to certain combinations of the one or more electrolytes (e.g., carbonates) with the one or more acidulants (e.g., citric acid and tartaric acid).5. EXAMPLES

[0046] The following Examples are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the disclosed subject matter in any manner, shape, or form, either explicitly or implicitly.

[0047] Example 1: Rehydration Powder Blend

[0048] The present example was prepared using the formula in Table 1.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1Table 1. Rehydration Powder Formulationa: Amount of the ion (zinc, sodium, chloride, potassium) present as part of the salt b: Reb M is also known as rebaudioside M c: Commercially available as Fibersol® 2 from the ADM Corporation d: Weight of dry ingredients prior to the addition of water (8 ounces) or other liquidAttorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1PROCESSING DIRECTIONS:1. The zinc gluconate, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and potassium bicarbonate are added to a V-blended and blended end over end for 5 minutes.2. The remaining materials are added to the blend from Step 1 and blended end over end for an additional 5 minutes to form the final blend.3. The final blend is dispensed into a suitable container and sealed.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT1CLAIMS1. A powder composition, comprising: one or more electrolytes; one or more trace minerals; one or more prebiotics; and one or more rehydration sugars.

2. The powder composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more prebiotics includes soluble corn fiber.

3. The powder composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more rehydration sugars comprise dextrose monohydrate.

4. The powder composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more electrolytes comprises sodium, chloride, and potassium.

5. The powder composition of claim 1, further comprising one or more acidulants.

6. The powder composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more trace minerals comprises zinc.

7. The powder composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more sweeteners comprises sucrose, Rebaudioside M (RebM), monk fruit extract, or combinations thereof.

8. The powder composition of claim 7, wherein the one or more sweeteners are present in an amount of from about 5% to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.

9. The powder composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more electrolytes are present in an amount of at least about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.Attorney Docket No. ZAR6106WOPCT110. The powder composition of claim 9, wherein the one or more electrolytes are present in an amount of from about 5% to about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the powder composition.

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