FIELD

[001] The present disclosure relates to liquid nutritional compositions. More particularly, the disclosure relates to liquid nutritional compositions comprising lutein with enhanced color profiles.

BACKGROUND

[002] Liquid nutritional compositions typically include balanced amounts of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), as well as micronutrients and flavorings. For example, nutrition shakes, i.e., non-carbonated liquid nutritional compositions which are intended for oral consumption and therefore have the consistency, flavor, and overall desirable sensory characteristics of common milk shakes, are widely-available consumer products. Examples include the Ensure ^® , Glucerna ^® , Myoplex ^® , and PediaSure ^® lines of nutrition shakes available from Abbott Nutrition of Columbus, Ohio. Generally, these nutrition shakes are made up in the form of oil-in-water emulsions having the consistency of common milk shakes.

[003] Among such balanced nutritional beverages available to consumers, many are formulated as ready-to-feed liquids in aseptically processed or retort packaged single use cans, bottles, or other containers. These packaged beverages are formulated with an emphasis on delivering stable, balanced nutritionals that taste good and appeal to a broad range of consumer tastes. To appeal to a variety of consumer tastes, these beverages are often flavored with one or more common flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, caramel, fruit, berry, butter pecan, and so forth.

[004] These flavored beverages are also formulated so that the selected flavor matches that of the chosen color. For example, banana flavored beverages should be yellow, chocolate flavored beverages should be beige or brown, vanilla flavored beverages should be white, and so forth. Matching flavors and colors, however, can be a challenge for many milk-based beverages. These beverages contain a variety of nutrients that potentially interact during formulation, processing, and storage. These interactions can distort the color of the beverage with unwanted colors, thus affecting the desired match between product flavor and color and affecting consumer satisfaction.

SUMMARY

[005] The general inventive concepts are directed to liquid nutritional compositions comprising lutein. Applicants have discovered that it is possible to formulate a flavored beverage comprising fat, protein, carbohydrates, and minerals, wherein the beverage develops little or no undesired color during formulation, processing, and storage. It is also desirable to prepare such a beverage wherein the flavor and color of the beverage are accurately matched or otherwise minimally affected by any undesirable color development to deliver the consumer experience expected for a liquid nutritional beverage.

[006] In a first exemplary embodiment, a liquid nutritional emulsion is provided. The liquid nutritional emulsion comprises a source of protein, a source of carbohydrate, a source of fat, and at least 500 μg of lutein per 8 oz. serving. The liquid nutritional emulsion has a color profile corresponding to a Hunter a value within the range of -10 to 10, a Hunter b value within the range of 16 to 35, and a Hunter L value within the range of 70 to 85.

[007] In a second exemplary embodiment, a liquid nutritional emulsion is provided. The liquid nutritional emulsion comprises 500 μg to 6 mg of lutein per 8 oz. serving of the nutritional emulsion. The liquid nutritional emulsion also comprises at least one of a source of protein, a source of carbohydrate, and a source of fat. The liquid nutritional emulsion has a color profile corresponding to a Hunter a value within the range of -10 to 10, a Hunter b value within the range of 16 to 35, and a Hunter L value within the range of 70 to 85, and a delta E value of 1 to 23.

[008] In a third exemplary embodiment, a method for the production of a lutein-containing liquid nutritional emulsion is provided. The method comprises mixing a protein-containing aqueous slurry, a carbohydrate-containing aqueous slurry, and an oil blend to form a first product blend; heating the first product blend; and adding lutein to the first product blend after heating to form a second product blend.

[009] The nutritional compositions according to the general inventive concepts provide the nutrient lutein in amounts above those found in conventional nutritional compositions, while the flavor and color of the nutritional compositions are accurately matched or otherwise minimally affected by undesirable color development.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a process diagram showing conventional lutein addition methods and the modified lutein addition method of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2 is a graph showing Delta E color values as a function of Lutein concentration in a ready to drink nutritional composition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Much is known about the benefits of nutrients such as lutein. However, inclusion of lutein in nutritional compositions, especially liquid nutritional compositions, has proved difficult in the past as lutein can impart a strong (and often undesirable) color to the compositions. This is especially problematic in nutritional compositions where the flavor profile of the composition and the yellowish color imparted by lutein do not correspond to one another.

[0013] In accordance with the general inventive concepts, it has been found that liquid

nutritional compositions can be formulated with amounts of lutein that surpass that of conventional liquid nutritional compositions, while avoiding the color-altering effects normally associated with such concentrations of lutein.

[0014] For the purposes of this disclosure, the following terms have the following meanings unless context dictates otherwise:

[0015] The term "nutritional composition" refers to nutritional liquids, nutritional solids

including nutritional powders which may be reconstituted to form a nutritional liquid, nutritional puddings, nutritional gels, nutritional bars, and other nutritional products all of which comprise one or more of protein, carbohydrate, and fat, and are suitable for oral consumption by a human.

[0016] The terms "nutritional liquid" and "liquid nutritional composition" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refer to nutritional compositions in ready-to-drink liquid form, concentrated liquid form, and nutritional liquids made by reconstituting nutritional powders described herein prior to use. The nutritional liquid may also be formulated as a suspension, an emulsion, a solution, and so forth.

[0017] The term "nutritional powder" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to

nutritional compositions in flowable or scoopable form that can be reconstituted with water or another aqueous liquid prior to consumption and includes both spray dried and drymixed/dryblended powders.

[0018] The term "nutritional semi-solid" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to nutritional compositions that are intermediate in properties, such as rigidity, between solids and liquids. Some semi-solid examples include puddings, yogurts, gels, gelatins, and doughs.

[0019] The term "nutritional semi-liquid" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to nutritional compositions that are intermediate in properties, such as flow properties, between liquids and solids. Some semi-liquid examples include thick shakes, liquid yogurts, and liquid gels.

[0020] The term "serving" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to an amount which is intended to be consumed by an individual in one sitting or within one hour or less.

[0021] The term "shelf stable" as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a liquid nutritional composition that remains commercially stable after being packaged and then stored at 18-24 °C for at least 3 months. Shelf stability may be measured by any suitable indicia of stability including, but not limited to, consumer acceptance panel, sedimentation, etc.

Hunter Color Scale [0022] The Hunter color scale is a three-variable scale (L, a, and b) developed to numerically communicate differences in color between two or more substrates. The maximum value of the variable L is 100, which represents a perfectly reflecting substrate (e.g., white). The minimum for L is zero and corresponds to black. The a and b values have no specific numerical limits. Positive values for a represent red, whereas negative a corresponds to green. Positive b is yellow and negative b is blue. Delta E is a numerical value that is used n conjunction with the Hunter a, b, and L values to provide a single numerical description for the difference between two colors (or one color and a standard).

[0023] In certain exemplary embodiments, the liquid nutritional emulsion has a color profile corresponding to a Hunter a value within the range of -10 to 10, a Hunter b value within the range of 16 to 35, and a Hunter L value within the range of 70 to 85. 1-10, a Hunter b value within the range of 25-50, and a Hunter L value within the range of 65-85. In certain exemplary embodiments, the liquid nutritional emulsion has a Hunter a value of -1 to 10, including a Hunter a value of -1 to 7, including a Hunter a value of 3-, including a Hunter a value of 5-7. In certain exemplary embodiments, the liquid nutritional emulsion has a Hunter b value of 16 to 35, including a Hunter b value of 16 to 30, including a Hunter b value of 16 to 25, including a Hunter b value of 25-30. In certain exemplary embodiments, the liquid nutritional emulsion has a Hunter L value of 70-85, including a Hunter L value of 70-80. In certain exemplary embodiments, the liquid nutritional emulsion has a color profile corresponding to a delta E value within the range of 1 to 23, including a value of 1.5 to 15.

Carotenoids

[0024] The nutritional compositions described herein include a nutritionally significant quantity of lutein. Lutein has been shown to provide oxidative protection, as well as to enhance brain development. The lutein present in the inventive nutritional compositions may be provided as a part of a mixture of carotenoids or by itself. As used herein, the term "lutein" is intended to refer to all isomers of the compound. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions contain trans-lutein. As used herein, "trans-lutein" refers to a compound having the following structure:

[0025] In those embodiments where the nutritional composition includes trans-lutein, the

nutritional composition can contain only trans-lutein or trans-lutein in combination with other lutein forms, or, in some aspects, the lutein is in all-trans form. The lutein may be provided in a variety of forms and is available from manufacturers known to those in the art. One particular form of lutein is 20% FloraGLO Lutein in Safflower oil, available from DSM N. V., the Netherlands.

[0026] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions include one or more additional carotenoids such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and combinations thereof. It should be understood that any combination of beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lycopene can be included along with lutein in the nutritional compositions of the present disclosure.

[0027] The amount of lutein present in the nutritional compositions can vary depending on the individual, the intended use, or both. In certain exemplary embodiments, the lutein is present in the nutritional composition at a concentration effective to improve one or more of physical performance and cognition in an individual. In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of at least 500 μg per 8 oz. serving of the liquid nutritional composition (i.e., at least 62 μg per oz.). In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 500 ug to 6 mg per 8 oz. serving of the liquid nutritional composition (i.e., 62 ug to 750 ug per oz). In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 1 mg to 6 mg per 8 oz. serving of the liquid nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 3 mg to 6 mg per 8 oz serving of the liquid nutritional composition.

[0028] An alternative way to express the amount of lutein in a nutritional compositions is to refer to the amount of lutein per mL of the nutritional liquid. In certain exemplary

embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of at least 2.1 ug per mL of the liquid nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 2.1 ug to 25 ug per mL of the liquid nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 4.2 ug to 25 μg per mL of the liquid nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, lutein is present in an amount of 6.3 ug to 25 ug g per mL of the liquid nutritional composition.

Macronutrients

[0029] The nutritional compositions described herein include at least one of protein, fat, and carbohydrate. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions according to the general inventive concepts include protein, fat, and carbohydrate.

[0030] Although total concentrations or amounts of the protein, fat, and carbohydrate may vary depending upon the product type (i.e., dietary supplement, medical food, human milk fortifier, infant formula, toddler formula, etc.), product form (i.e., nutritional solid, powder, ready-to-feed liquid or concentrated liquid, nutritional bar), and targeted dietary needs of the intended user, such concentrations or amounts most typically fall within one of the following embodied ranges, inclusive of any other essential protein, fat, and/or carbohydrate ingredients as described herein.

[0031] The amount of each macronutrient in any of the liquid nutritional compositions described herein may also be characterized in addition to, or in the alternative, as a percentage of total calories in the liquid nutritional composition as set forth in the following table. These macronutrients for liquid nutritional compositions of the present disclosure are most typically formulated within any of the caloric ranges (embodiments A-F) described in the following table.

Protein

[0032] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions described herein include a source or sources of protein. Any protein source that is suitable for use in oral liquid nutritional compositions and is compatible with the essential elements and features of such compositions is suitable for use herein.

[0033] The amount of protein present in the nutritional composition can vary widely and may be based on the particular needs of the intended consumer or the intended product form. Non- limiting examples of suitable proteins or sources thereof for use in the nutritional

compositions include hydrolyzed, partially hydrolyzed, or non-hydrolyzed proteins or protein sources, which may be derived from any known or otherwise suitable source such as milk (e.g., casein, whey), animal (e.g., meat, fish), cereal (e.g., rice, com), vegetable (e.g., soy, pea), or combinations thereof. Non-limiting examples of such proteins include milk protein isolates, milk protein concentrates, casein protein isolates, extensively hydrolyzed casein, sodium or calcium caseinates, whey protein, whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolate, whey protein hydrolysate, whole cow milk, partially or completely defatted milk, soy protein isolates, and soy protein concentrates. [0034] In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of 5 g to 20 g per serving (e.g., approximately 8 oz. or 237 mL) of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of 5 g to 15 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of 6 g to 15 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of 7 g to 10 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of about 9 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, protein is present in an amount of about 0.03 g per mL of the nutritional composition.

Fat

[0035] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions described herein include a source or sources of fat. Suitable sources of fat for use herein include any fat or fat source that is suitable for use in an oral liquid nutritional composition and is compatible with the essential elements and features of such compositions.

[0036] The amount of fat present in the nutritional composition can vary widely and may be based on the particular needs of the intended consumer or the intended product form. Any fat or source thereof that is suitable for use in oral nutritional products and is compatible with the other ingredients of the inventive compositions can be used. Non-limiting examples of suitable fats or sources thereof for use in the nutritional compositions described herein include coconut oil, fractionated coconut oil, soy oil, corn oil, olive oil, safflower oil, high oleic safflower oil, MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil, sunflower oil, high oleic sunflower oil, palm and palm kernel oils, palm olein, canola oil, high oleic canola oil, marine oils, fish oils, fungal oils, algae oils, cottonseed oils, and combinations thereof.

[0037] In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of 3 g to 15 g per serving (e.g., approximately 8 oz. or 237 mL) of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of 5 g to 15 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of 5 g to 12 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of 6 g to 10 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of less than 8 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, fat is present in an amount of about 0.04 g per mL of the nutritional composition.

Carbohydrate

[0038] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions described herein include a source or sources of carbohydrate. Any carbohydrate source that is suitable for use in oral liquid nutritional compositions and is compatible with the essential elements and features of such compositions is suitable for use herein.

[0039] The amount of carbohydrate present in the nutritional composition can vary widely and may be based on the particular needs of the intended consumer or the intended product form. Any carbohydrate or source thereof that is suitable for use in oral nutritional products and is compatible with the other ingredients of the inventive compositions can be used as the carbohydrate in the nutritional compositions. Non-limiting examples of a source of carbohydrate suitable for use in the nutritional compositions described herein include maltodextrin, hydrolyzed or modified starch or cornstarch, glucose polymers, corn syrup, com syrup solids, rice-derived carbohydrates, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, sugar alcohols (e.g., maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol), isomaltulose, sucromalt, pullulan, potato starch, slowly-digested carbohydrates, dietary fibers (e.g., oat fiber, soy fiber, gum arabic, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, guar gum, gellan gum, locust bean gum, konjac flour, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, gum acacia, chitosan, arabinogalactans, glucomannan, xanthan gum, alginate, pectin, low and high methoxy pectin, cereal beta-glucans (e.g., oat beta-glucan, barley beta- glucan), carrageenan and psyllium), Fibersol™, other resistant starches, and combinations thereof.

[0040] In certain exemplary embodiments, carbohydrate is present in an amount of 15 g to 50 g per serving (e.g., approximately 8 oz. or 237 mL) of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, carbohydrate is present in an amount of 15 g to 40 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, carbohydrate is present in an amount of 25 g to 40 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, carbohydrate is present in an amount of less than 35 g per serving of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, carbohydrate is present in an amount of about 0.14 g per mL of the nutritional composition.

Optional Ingredients

[0041] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition may further comprise other optional ingredients that may modify its physical, chemical, hedonic, or processing characteristics or serve as pharmaceutical or additional nutritional components when used in the targeted population. Many such optional ingredients are known or otherwise suitable for use in other nutritional compositions and may also be used in the nutritional compositions described herein, provided that such optional ingredients are safe and effective for oral administration and are compatible with the essential and other ingredients in the selected product form.

[0042] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition further comprises any of a variety of vitamins or related nutrients, non-limiting examples of which include vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, biotin, vitamin C, choline, inositol, salts and derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0043] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition further comprises any of a variety of minerals, non-limiting examples of which include phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, manganese, sodium, potassium, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, chloride, iodide, and combinations thereof.

[0044] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition may be an "excellent source of (as defined by the Food and Drug Administration) at least one of the following: calcium, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorous, iodine, selenium, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, and combinations thereof.

[0045] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition may be a "good source of (as defined by the Food and Drug Administration) at least one of the following: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, thiamin, niacin, biotin, and combinations thereof. [0046] Non-limiting examples of other optional ingredients include fiber, preservatives, additional antioxidants, emulsifying agents, buffers, colorants, flavors, probiotics, prebiotics, thickening agents and stabilizers, and so forth.

[0047] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises at least one sweetening agent. In certain exemplary embodiments, the at least one sweetening agent is a sugar alcohol such as maltitol, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, isolmalt, lactitol, and combinations thereof, or at least one artificial or high potency sweetener such as acesulfame K, aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, stevia, tagatose, monk fruit, and combinations thereof. The sweetening agents, especially as a combination of a sugar alcohol and an artificial sweetener, may be especially useful in formulating nutritional compositions having a desirable flavor profile. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition may comprise at least one sugar alcohol with a concentration of from at least 0.01%, including from 0.1% to 10%, and also including from 1% to 6% by weight of the nutritional composition. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition may comprise at least one artificial sweetener with a concentration of from 0.01% to 5%, including from 0.05% to 3%, and also including from 0.1% to 1% by weight of the nutritional composition.

[0048] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises a stabilizer.

Any stabilizer that is known or otherwise suitable for use in a nutritional composition may be suitable for use herein, some non-limiting examples of which include gums such as carrageenan and xanthan gum. In certain exemplary embodiments, the stabilizer may represent from 0.1% to 5%, including from 0.5% to 3%, and including from 0.7% to 1.5%, by weight of the nutritional composition.

[0049] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition comprises one or more masking agents to reduce or otherwise obscure the effects of any bitter flavors and after taste that may develop in the nutritional composition over time. Suitable masking agents include natural and artificial sweeteners, sodium sources such as sodium chloride, and combinations thereof. The amount of masking agent added to the nutritional composition may vary depending upon the particular masking agent selected, other ingredients in the formulation, and other formulation or product target variables. Such amounts, however, can range from 0.1% to 3%, including from 0.15% to 3%, and also including from 0.2% to 2.5%, by weight of the nutritional composition.

[0050] The various nutritional compositions disclosed herein, as well as other embodiments contemplated by the general inventive concepts, may be prepared by any process or suitable method (now known or known in the future) for making a selected product form, such as a nutritional liquid, a nutritional solid, or a nutritional powder. Many such techniques are known for any given product form and can easily be applied by one of ordinary skill in the art to the various embodiments presented herein.

[0051] According to certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition is formulated as, and intended for consumption in, any known or otherwise suitable oral product form. Any solid, liquid, semi-solid, semi-liquid, or powder product form, including combinations or variations thereof, are suitable for use herein, provided that such forms allow for safe and effective oral delivery to the individual via oral consumption of the ingredients as also defined herein.

[0052] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition is a nutritional liquid.

Non-limiting examples of nutritional liquids include snack and meal replacement products, hot or cold beverages, carbonated or non-carbonated beverages, juices or other acidified beverages, milk or soy-based beverages, shakes, coffees, teas, compositions for

administration by nasogastric intubation, and so forth. Generally, the nutritional liquids are formulated as suspensions or emulsions, but the nutritional liquids can also be formulated in other suitable forms such as clear liquids, solutions, liquid gels, liquid yogurts, and so forth.

[0053] In certain exemplary embodiments, where the nutritional composition is a liquid, a

serving of the nutritional liquid is within a range of 30 milliliters to 500 milliliters (~1 fl. oz. to -17 fl. oz.). In certain exemplary embodiments, the serving is 177 milliliters to 417 milliliters (~6 fl. oz. to -14 fl. oz.), including 207 milliliters to 266 milliliters (-7 fl. oz. to -9 fl. oz.). In certain exemplary embodiments, the serving is 237 milliliters (-8 fl. oz.). In certain exemplary embodiments, where the nutritional composition is administered as a liquid, one serving to four servings of the nutritional composition may be administered to the individual per day. [0054] The nutritional compositions disclosed herein are useful to provide sole, primary, or supplemental sources of nutrition, as well as providing one or more of the benefits as described herein. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition provides up to 1,000 kcal of energy per serving or dose, including from 20 kcal to 900 kcal, from 40 kcal to 700 kcal, from 50 kcal to 500 kcal, from 150 kcal to 475 kcal, from 200 kcal to 450 kcal, or from 200 kcal to 350 kcal per serving. In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional composition provides approximately 260 kcal per serving.

Methods of Manufacture

[0055] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions may be manufactured by any known or otherwise suitable method. Inventive nutritional compositions in liquid form may be suitably sterilized, for example, by aseptic sterilization or retort sterilization.

[0056] In those embodiments in which the nutritional compositions are in the form of a nutritional emulsion, they may be prepared by any of the well known methods of formulating such compositions by way of retort, aseptic packaging, or hot fill processing methods.

[0057] For example, in one suitable manufacturing process for formulating a nutritional

emulsion, at least three separate slurries are prepared, including a protein-in-fat (PIF) slurry, a carbohydrate-mineral (CHO-MIN) slurry, and a protein-in-water (PIW) slurry. The PIF slurry is formed by heating and mixing the oil (e.g., canola oil, corn oil, DHA) and then adding an emulsifier (e.g., lecithin), fat soluble vitamins, and a portion of the total protein with continued heat and agitation. The CHO-MIN slurry is formed by adding with heated agitation to water: minerals (e.g., HMB, potassium citrate, dipotassium phosphate, sodium citrate), trace and ultra trace minerals (TM/UTM premix), and thickening or suspending agents. The resulting CHO-MIN slurry is held for 10 minutes with continued heat and agitation before adding additional minerals (e.g., potassium chloride, magnesium carbonate, potassium iodide) and/or carbohydrates (e.g., sucrose, corn syrup). The PIW slurry is then formed by mixing with heat and agitation the remaining protein, if any. Those of skill in the art will recognize that other exemplary methods exist for combining the necessary ingredients, for example, in one exemplary embodiment, the protein is mixed into the PIW slurry, and thus only two slurries are used in the process. [0058] In conventional formulation processes, lutein is added to the hot oil blend prior to mixing of the individual slurries (FIG. 1, 100). Lutein, being a non-polar molecule, is readily miscible in the oil which is also non-polar. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is Applicant's belief that this miscibility imparts the color of lutein to the oil and subsequently to the rest of the blend.

[0059] The resulting slurries are then blended together with heated agitation and the pH adjusted to 6.9-7.1, after which the composition is subjected to ultra high temperature (UHT) processing during which the composition is heat treated, emulsified, and homogenized and then allowed to cool. Water soluble vitamins and ascorbic acid are added, the pH is adjusted to the desired range if necessary, flavors are added, and water is added to achieve the desired total solid level. The composition may then be aseptically packaged to form an aseptically packaged nutritional emulsion.

[0060] In the inventive process, a source of lutein is finely suspended with a shear mixer in a preformed protein, fat, carbohydrate, mineral emulsion. In certain exemplary embodiments, the lutein is incorporated after standardization (FIG. 1, 200) and just before the aseptic processing of the blend. While not wishing to be bound by theory, Applicant believes that since lutein is added to the oil in water emulsion, it disperses in the bulk water phase which is highly polar. Hence lutein remains finely suspended in the bulk water phase, thus imparting less intense yellow coloration of the final product. In certain exemplary embodiments, the blend containing lutein is passed through a heat exchanger that heats the blend to 290-300° F, held for 5-10 seconds to achieve commercial sterility and then immediately cooled to 160- 170° F. The commercially sterile blend is then passed through a two stage homogenizer operating between 2500-3500 psi in first stage and 400-600 psi in the second stage. After homogenization, the mix is cooled to 60-80° F and aseptically filled in the bottles to form an aseptically packaged nutritional emulsion.

[0061] The following examples further describe and demonstrate specific embodiments within the scope of the general inventive concepts. The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the present invention, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All exemplified amounts are weight percentages based upon the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified.

EXAMPLES

[0062] The following examples illustrate certain embodiments or features of compositions and methods described herein. The examples are given solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of the general inventive concepts, as many variations thereof are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0063] Table 2 is an exemplary bill of materials for a liquid nutritional composition formulated according to 1) conventional lutein addition methods and 2) the inventive lutein addition method in order to determine differences in color between the two preparation methods.

[0064] Table 3 shows the difference in color of nutritional composition samples made by incorporating lutein in the water phase (i.e., addition according to the present disclosure) vs. oil phase (i.e., addition according to the conventional method). The nutritional composition made according to the modified method has lutein crystals finely suspended in the pre- emulsified blend. The net effect is a reduction in the perceived yellow color in the finished product as quantified by the Hunter color (a & b) values below. The product made according to the inventive method has higher a values and lower b values than the sample made using a conventional method. Higher a values on the color scale represent more greenness than redness in the product, whereas lower b values represent more blueness than yellowness in the product.

[0065] Delta E is a single value that represents the color distance from a reference control. It can be seen that the color distance of the product in modified lutein addition process is closer to the control product (no lutein) than the product made with the conventional addition method in which lutein is incorporated in the oil blend. As can be seen from Table 3, the original lutein addition process yielded a product with more yellow color than the products prepared according to the modified process.

[0066] Table 4 below shows the composition and physical characteristics of the nutritional compositions that were analyzed in Table 3.

[0067] In certain exemplary embodiments, the nutritional compositions described herein are shelf stable. Shelf stability may be measured in a variety of ways, but generally refers to a composition that remains commercially viable for a period of time, such as 3 to 24 months, during storage. Commercially viable relates to consumer acceptance and may be measured by well known hedonic or organoleptic testing.

[0068] All percentages, parts, and ratios as used herein are by weight of the total composition, unless otherwise specified. All such weights as they pertain to listed ingredients are based on the active level and, therefore, do not include solvents or by-products that may be included in commercially available materials, unless otherwise specified. [0069] All ranges and parameters, including but not limited to percentages, parts, and ratios, disclosed herein are understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges assumed and subsumed therein, and every number between the endpoints. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all sub-ranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 1 to 6.1, or 2.3 to 9.4), and to each integer (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) contained within the range.

[0070] All references to singular characteristics or limitations of the present disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristic or limitation, and vice versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the reference is made.

[0071] The various embodiments of the nutritional composition of the present disclosure may also be substantially free of any ingredient or feature described herein, provided that the remaining nutritional composition still contains all of the required ingredients or features as described herein. In this context, and unless otherwise specified, the term "substantially free" means that the selected composition contains less than a functional amount of the optional ingredient, typically less than 1%, including less than 0.5%, including less than 0.1%, and also including zero percent, by weight of such optional ingredient.

[0072] To the extent that the term "includes" or "including" is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term "or" is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean "A or B or both." When the applicants intend to indicate "only A or B but not both" then the term "only A or B but not both" will be employed. Thus, use of the term "or" herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. Also, to the extent that the terms "in" or "into" are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean "on" or "onto." Furthermore, to the extent the term "connect" is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only "directly connected to," but also "indirectly connected to" such as connected through another component or components.

[0073] While the present application has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the application, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative compositions and processes, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concepts.