Beta-Carotene Coated Particles for Instant Beverages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coated particles used in instant beverage powders are not visible as discrete colored particles by the naked eye and can interfere with the color of the reconstituted beverage, affecting its intended color and stability.
Innovation Solution
Development of solid red-orange particles with a core and a β-carotene coating layer, where the β-carotene formulation has an A1/1 value of up to 200, ensuring the particles are visible, water-soluble, and do not alter the beverage's color or stability, using spray coating technology with food-grade ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If colored coated particles are used in instant beverage powder, then the particles are visible as discrete colored particles by the naked eye, but the particles interfere with the color of the reconstituted beverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating particles with a specific core coating structure where the coating layer has different properties from the core. The coating layer contains a specific composition that provides visibility while the core maintains solubility and functional properties, allowing different parts of the particle to serve different functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of β-carotene concentration in the coating layer to a specific range (0.1-30 wt%) and controls the A1/1 value to be up to 200. This parameter optimization allows the particles to be visible as discrete colored particles while ensuring they dissolve without interfering with the beverage color
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If colored coated particles are used in instant beverage powder, then the particles provide visual appeal, but the solubility of the instant beverage powder is influenced negatively
Solution Approach 1:
The core of the particle is designed with specific functional properties for solubility and dissolution, while the coating layer provides visual appeal. This local differentiation ensures that the core maintains its solubility characteristics while the coating makes the particle visible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the β-carotene concentration parameter in the coating layer to be within 0.1-30 wt% and controls the A1/1 value to up to 200. These parameter specifications ensure the coating provides visibility while maintaining compatibility with the solubility properties of the instant beverage powder
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If colored coated particles are used in instant beverage powder, then the particles are visible in dry formulation, but the storage stability and shelf life are influenced negatively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the coating layer composition (0.1-30 wt% β-carotene) and the A1/1 value (up to 200). These controlled parameters ensure the coating provides visibility while maintaining storage stability and preventing degradation during shelf life
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If colored coated particles are used in instant beverage powder, then the particles provide color visibility, but the stability of the beverage is influenced negatively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the A1/1 value parameter to be up to 200 and the β-carotene concentration to 0.1-30 wt%, which optimizes the balance between particle visibility and beverage stability. These parameter specifications prevent negative effects on beverage stability while maintaining visual appeal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The particles remain visible in dry formulations, are soluble in beverages without altering their color, maintain storage stability, and do not affect the beverage's intended color or stability, ensuring a consistent taste and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer, which comprises 0.1 weight-% (wt-%) to 30 wt-%, based on the total weight of the coating layer, of β-carotene
Implementation Method 2
the colored particles shall be soluble in the same way as the bulk ingredients of the instant powder i.e., the colored particles shall also be water dispersible/soluble
Data Source
AI summary
The present patent application relates to novel red-orange coated particles, which are mainly used in (dry) formulations for instant beverages. The advantage of these coated particles is that they are red to orange as such (also in the formulations for instant beverages, wherein they can be identified by the naked eye as individual discrete colored particles), but upon dissolution of the instant beverage powder, the particles will dissolve as well and will not interfere with or change the intended color of the ready-to drink instant beverages made from the instant beverage dry powders.