The solubilization of hydrophobic health-promoting bioactives in clear drinks is highly sought by beverage producers to provide added value for the consumer, but it still imposes tough challenges, particularly in shelf stable drinks. Most food grade surfactants, which may be used for the task, are synthetic, e.g. the Tween series, and thus preclude an “all-natural ingredients” labeling. Other ways to enrich beverages with hydrophobic nutraceuticals are usually expensive, of variable quality and availability, or are using allergenic components.
The currently proposed solution suggests the novel use of a certain plant protein isolate to form co-assembled nanovehicles for delivery of hydrophobic nutraceuticals. This solution is based on natural ingredients only, originating from a widely available inexpensive vegetable protein source. The encapsulation process is simple and inexpensive, and the product would be a readily water-soluble powder. It is non-allergenic and suitable for KOSHER-PARVE products. It is colorless and may be applicable even for completely clear drinks, like vitamin water or fruit flavored soft drinks (carbonated or non-carbonated).
Because the introduction of the protein isolate as a commercially available product is quite recent, and hardly any research has been done about it, this is a highly novel research project, with great commercial potential.
shlomit2@.technion.ac.il
*Corresponding author: livney@technion.ac.il
