Nutrient Taste Modulation via Homogeneous Carrier Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for delivery systems that effectively incorporate nutrients like minerals and vitamins, ensuring physical and chemical stability, masking off-notes, and improving cost-in-use performance in edible products.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a water-soluble carrier material, a nutrient, and a taste modulator, where the nutrient and taste modulator are dispersed homogeneously within the carrier material, forming a particle or coating that can be applied to insoluble food carriers like tea leaves or coffee beans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If nutrients are incorporated into edible products, then nutritional value is improved, but off-notes and undesired taste are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a taste modulator as an intermediary substance that interacts with the nutrient to mask or modify its off-notes and undesired taste. The taste modulator serves as a mediator between the nutrient and the consumer's sensory perception, allowing the nutrient to be delivered without its inherent unpleasant flavors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite delivery system comprising multiple components: a carrier material, the nutrient, and a taste modulator. This composite structure allows the nutrient to be delivered while the taste modulator counteracts unpleasant flavors, and the carrier provides structural support and controlled release properties.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid nutrient is used, then nutritional delivery is improved, but dosing difficulty and reduced active lifetime occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the nutrient from liquid to solid form by incorporating it into a solid carrier material matrix. This phase change enables precise dosing through weighing or counting of solid particles while maintaining the nutrient's bioavailability and nutritional delivery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a carrier material that forms a matrix or coating structure to encapsulate and deliver the liquid nutrient in solid form. This carrier structure provides a flexible delivery system that maintains the nutrient's stability and enables easy dosing while preserving the nutritional value.
3Quantity of substance
If nutrient is incorporated directly into food product, then nutritional value is improved, but physical and chemical stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the nutrient is embedded within the carrier material matrix. This nested configuration protects the nutrient from environmental factors and interactions with other food components, maintaining its physical and chemical stability while ensuring gradual release and effective nutritional delivery.
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 solution provides a stable and cost-effective delivery system that masks off-notes associated with nutrients, enhancing the overall flavor and sensory experience of edible products while maintaining the nutritional value.
Implementation Method 1
the nutrient and the taste modulator are dispersed homogenously within the water-soluble carrier material
Implementation Method 2
The coating can be typically applied on an insoluble food carrier such as for example flowers, leaves, beans, seeds, cereals, powders, and particles
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a composition including a nutrient and a taste modulator. Also described herein are processes for preparing the composition and consumer products containing the composition.