Zinc Fortified Tea Composition with Polysaccharide Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing zinc fortified tea compositions face challenges in delivering a consistent amount of zinc per cup and often result in lump formation and unnatural appearance due to coating processes.
Innovation Solution
A tea composition combining a zinc compound, maltodextrin, gum arabic, and a leaf tea product in specific ratios, ensuring consistent zinc delivery and natural appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If zinc is included in tea composition format, then zinc delivery can be achieved, but lump formation and unnatural appearance occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of zinc compound combined with polysaccharides (maltodextrin and/or gum arabic) to create a fortified tea composition. This composite approach allows zinc to be delivered in a form that prevents lump formation while maintaining natural appearance, resolving the contradiction between effective zinc delivery and acceptable physical form.
2Quantity of substance
If coating process is used to address zinc delivery, then zinc can be fortified on tea leaf, but additives lead to unnatural appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the zinc delivery system by combining zinc compounds with specific polysaccharides in controlled amounts. This parameter change transforms the zinc from a form that causes lumping and unnatural appearance into one that integrates naturally with the tea leaf, eliminating the need for traditional coating processes that compromise appearance.
3Reliability
If zinc is added to tea composition, then immunity enhancement can be achieved, but consistent zinc delivery per cup becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The polysaccharides (maltodextrin and/or gum arabic) act as intermediary substances that bind with zinc compounds to form a stable complex. This intermediary system ensures that zinc is delivered consistently and uniformly in each cup of brewed tea, providing reliable immunity enhancement while eliminating the variability problem associated with direct zinc addition.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a tea composition. In particular, the present invention relates to a zinc fortified tea composition. Accordingly, the present invention provides a tea composition comprising; a) a zinc compound; b) a first polysaccharide selected from maltodextrin; c) a second polysaccharide selected from gum arabic; and d) a leaf tea product.