DESCRIPTION

STATE OF THE ART

Functional foods can be defined as natural or processed foods that, in addition to meeting the normal organoleptic and nutritional expectations, bring clear benefits to human health, preventing dysfunctions due to particular active ingredients from the physiological point of view.

The consumption of such foods, associated with a healthy lifestyle, can thus help to improve health and well-being, prevent some metabolic disorders and reduce the risk of disease.

In this context, flours enriched with prebiotic fibers and other molecules of a health-related interest find significant use.

The food industry produces a large amount of plant- derived by-products during the transformation processes; similarly, during the collection step, a selection of parts of the plants not requested by the food market and considered of little value is often performed .

Regarding the artichoke, the edible portion is very little by weight compared to the total biomass; in fact, it is only about 15-20% (by weight) of the plant and is especially represented by the "fleshy" portion of the flower head.

The amount of waste such as : external and intermediate bracts, stems and leaves, is therefore very large.

The presence of compounds like polyphenols, inulin and crude proteins is appreciable and also makes artichoke waste rather interesting for different sectors such as the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and herbal industry, as well as for the production of animal feed, fertilizers and natural organic dyes .

Inulin

Inulin is a polymer formed by fructose units and is the characteristic reserve substance of Asteraceae. The degree of polymerization determines the various types and different activity thereof.

It belongs to fructans or fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and is defined as a prebiotic fiber: in fact, it is not digested by humans as they do not possess the necessary enzymatic pattern.

In fact, studies prove that this has a selective nutritional activity towards the predominant intestinal microflora, especially bifidobacteria and lactobacilli , causing an increase in their number and activity, as well as the production of short-chain fatty acids that promote an increase in the fecal mass and proper bowel function; this effect also causes the elimination, by competitive mechanism, of the undesired flora in the intestinal tract.

Inulin also has an activity of prevention of colon cancer, it regulates the absorption of minerals such as calcium and blood levels of lipids, of which they facilitate the metabolism (Van Loo et al., 1999) .

Some studies show that in humans, induction in the production of butyrates by inulin causes an inhibition of cell growth, a controlled differentiation and a reduced metastasis of cancer agents .

In addition, it seems that inulin reduces exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic agents and suppresses residual cancer cells.

It has been proven that since it does not allow the absorption of sugars, it can be used in foods for diabetics (Van Loo et al . , 1999; Hellwege et al . , 2000) . The carbohydrates normally taken with the diet, which are absorbed as hexose sugars (glucose, fructose) , have a calorie value of 3.9 kcal/g (16.3 kj/g) from which the cell metabolism produces 38 mol ATP/mol. To the contrary, inulin and other fructose oligopolymers are not digested, i.e. not absorbed, and thus they do not provide any calorie value {non- digestible oligosaccharides - NDO) .

The edible portion of artichoke is characterized, despite the poor amount of sugars, by a large amount of inulin (75% of the total carbohydrate content) and other water-soluble polysaccharides.

In bracts, a by-product of the artichoke, the weight of inulin has been found to be greater than that found in chicory {Cichorium intybus L.) and it is approximately 30% of the total content.

Therefore, as regards the presence of inulin, the by ^¬ products of the artichoke can be considered a real resource .

Vitamin B12

Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) is involved in homocysteine metabolism, which can reach too high values due to a reduced intake through diet, as it is present only in foods of animal origin and is therefore lacking in bakery products from cereals. In addition, genetic predispositions that affect the synthesis of enzymes involved in its metabolism can result in a decreased absorption thereof. Homocysteine is a sulfur amino acid that derives from the transformation of methionine (essential amino acid) largely present in the diet. In the body, it circulates in the blood bound to albumin.

The presence of large homocysteine values is called hyperhomocysteinemia and is considered an important and independent risk factor for cardiovascular accidents .

The relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular diseases was emphasized by numerous studies including the famous Framingham Heart Study. Selenium

Selenium is an element that acts mainly as a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase .

Due to its ability to protect cell membranes from oxidation, selenium has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.

Low levels of selenium are linked to an increased risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases and other pathologies associated with the damage caused by free radicals, including premature aging and the formation of cataracts.

Resveratrol

It belongs to the family of polyphenolic compounds, is a stilbene and is found in the berries of grape, in wine, in some berries and oil seeds (peanut) and in certain plants such as Polygonum cuspidatum, used in traditional Asian medicine to treat heart and liver conditions.

There are numerous pharmacological and clinical studies reported for this natural substance, which have stressed its antioxidant power against several species of free radicals and against oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) and the subsequent inflammation phenomena at a vascular level.

It has an antiproliferative, immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory action.

Hydroxytyrosol

A natural antioxidant, it is found in high concentrations in the vegetation water of olives and in lower concentrations also in olive leaves, it has immunostimulating and antibiotic properties.

Coenzyme Q10 It is an endogenous lipophilic antioxidant involved in energy processes, due to its ability to transfer electrons and act as an antioxidant, it protects cells from free radical damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1A shows a product obtained with a traditional composition; Figure IB shows an equivalent product obtained using the preparation of the invention.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention, therefore, is a functional preparation comprising inulin, vitamin B12 and selenium.

The composition of the invention, in a further aspect, can include other molecules of biological interest .

A process for the preparation of the composition of the invention represents a further object of the present invention.

In a second object, the invention describes the use of the functional preparation to obtain flours, foods, feeds, fertilizers and dyes.

The products thus obtained are equally contemplated in the present patent application.

In a further object, the use of the preparation to increase the bioavailability of vitamin B12 and selenium in foods is also described.

In one aspect of the invention, the preparation described may find use in the food industry as a total or partial substitute of fats and/or emulsifiers in foods.

In a further object, the use of the preparation in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and herbal industry is described.

In yet a further aspect, the invention describes the preparation of the present invention as a medicament and, in particular, to reduce the level of cholesterol, glucose, lipids, as an antioxidant and thus in the treatment of heart dysfunctions, hypertension, prevention of diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction, in the treatment of diabetes and in the prevention of cancer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first object of the invention, a functional preparation comprising inulin, vitamin B12 and selenium is described.

In a particular aspect, the three components mentioned above are in the following concentrations (weight /weight ) : inulin 99.9975-99.998245%

vitamin B12 0.001685-0.002445% selenium* 0.000055-0.00007%

Selenium is preferably added in the form of selenomethionine .

The composition indicated is to be understood as referred to a total equivalent to 100%; therefore, the greater the percentage of a component, the smaller the corresponding composition of another component .

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the preparation of the invention has the following composition :

In one aspect of the invention, the inulin used to prepare the composition is obtained from the artichoke plant and preferably, from parts that are discarded after the harvest or during the processing and transformation process as of little or no interest to the food industry, such as external bracts, intermediate bracts, stems and leaves.

Alternatively, other plants can be useful sources of inulin to use, such as garlic, asparagus root, white Salsify {Tragopogon porrifolius) , dahlia tubers, chicory .

In particular, the inulin content in these sources can be as shown hereafter:

As regards the degree of polymerization of inulin, for the purposes of the present invention reference is made to a degree of between about 4 and about 30, preferably between of between about 10 and about 24, where a degree of polymerization of about 20 is in any case preferred.

An example of a commercially available product that has these features is the product Fibruline® instant. In one aspect of the invention, the composition described also comprises other functional substances that are able to interact with inulin, in particular with the hydroxyl groups, forming useful complexes. Such substances are in particular selected from the group comprising: resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol, astaxanthin, coenzyme Q, germanium, preferably in organic form (i.e. complexed with suitable compounds), for example in the form of sesquioxide, inositol, flavonoids and other antioxidant molecules or with a functional activity.

The preparation of the invention may further comprise additional soluble or insoluble fibers.

Such components may be present in the following percentages by weight (with respect to 2 g of the composition object of the invention) :

In one aspect of the invention, these substances are present in amounts of about 0.1-5% (weight/weight) and can be added in the form of dried titrated extracts . According to a further object, a process for the preparation of the functional composition of the invention is described.

The preparation of the composition of the invention comprises an initial hydration step.

In particular, the water used is water treated by suitable methods which alter the pH thereof.

In a preferred aspect, the water used has a pH of about 8.5-9.5.

In an even more preferred aspect, the water has been treated by suitable methods which vary the molecular organization, so as to form hexagonal clusters.

In this step, the following components are added to water: vitamin B12 and selenium (in a suitable form, such as selenomethionine) .

If envisioned by one of the further aspects of the invention, other components such as coenzyme Q10, astaxanthin, hydroxytyrosol , germanium (in the form of organic complex), inositol, flavonoids or other antioxidant molecules may also be added in this step. Preferably, the ingredients are mixed in the dark. Inulin is then added in a second step, preferably in the amount of about 80 g per liter of water, followed by suitable mixing. The homogeneous preparation thus obtained is subjected to freeze-drying and then to drying to reduce the relative humidity to about 3%.

The process of the invention allows the vitamin B12 and selenium molecules, and possibly of other components, to be trapped within the mesh structure of inulin.

Freeze-drying is able not to alter such a structure, which is promptly restored by hydration prior to the use of the composition of the invention.

The preparation of the invention is described herein also for the production of many products:

• in the food industry:

- beverages (milk and milk-based beverages, powdered milk preparations, coffee, tea, herbal teas, chocolate, soluble preparations for beverages, wine, fruit juices, tomato juice, etc.)

- bakery products (both savory, such as bread, pizza, flat bread, breadsticks, crackers and also sweet such as: croissants and snacks in general, cakes or cookies) ;

- meat products (hamburgers, meatballs, cured meats such as mortadella, salami, frankfurters, sausage, luncheon meat; - sauces and condiments (mayonnaise, ketchup, jelly, etc . ) ;

- preparations based on vegetal and animal fats based on butter, oil, lard, mascarpone cheese, cream and milk;

- dairy products (milk, mozzarella, ricotta, cheese) ;

- sweets and confectionery (candies, chewing gums, etc.) _/ - chocolate and chocolate preparations, ice cream, sorbets, frozen desserts and sauces, marmalades and jams, jellies;

- confectionery (candies, chewing gums);

- sweeteners;

- special foods (for people suffering from celiac disease, for babies and children, for sportsmen, such as beverages and foods for replenishing sugars and mineral salts);

• in the livestock industry:

- feeds and special feeds;

- supplements;

• in the cosmetic industry:

- creams, tonics, cleansers for the body, hair, shampoos

• in the agricultural industry: - fertilizers;

• in the industry:

- dyes.

In one aspect of the invention, the preparation described is used for obtaining flours or flour mixtures, processed flours or preparations for use in making the above products.

The use of the mixture of the invention, in particular, can improve the technological and organoleptic properties thereof or impart particular functional properties to the food in which it is included .

To this end, the preparation may be preferably added to a flour in a percentage of about 2-8% (weight /weight ) and preferably of about 4.5-5% (weight /weight ) in order to impart technological improvements or to replace fats and/or emulsifiers. Percentages of about 8-25% (weight/weight), however, can be used in order to impart marked preventive and/or therapeutic prebiotic actions to the final product .

Bakery preparations as described above can be made with the flours described.

Obviously, the use of flours and gluten-free flours, therefore suitable for people suffering from celiac disease, such as Quinoa, buckwheat, kamut, rice flour, for example, is equally contemplated for the purposes of the present invention.

The use of vegetable-based proteins or other vegetable fibers, on the other hand, allows the production of foods for vegetarians.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the following amounts of preparation of the invention are used to obtain the following products with respect to the quantity of flour used:

The same use can be extended for confectionery products as described above.

Moreover, meat-based food preparations and beverages can also be obtained.

In particular, a beverage can be obtained using an amount of the composition of the invention of about 1.5% (weight /volume of water of the beverage) .

As regards, instead, the meat-based preparation, these preparations will comprise about 6.5% of the preparation of the invention (weight /weight of the meat) .

As indicated above, in the food preparations described, the use of the composition of the invention can replace at least partially the use of fats and/or emulsifiers.

For the present purposes, "fats" refers to the total content by weight of vegetable and animal fats used and, therefore, includes butter, oils, lard, mascarpone cheese, cream and milk.

In a further aspect, the present patent application describes the use of the preparation of the invention to increase the bioavailability of vitamin B12 and selenium .

The addition of selenium to the flour through an inulin-enriched mixture surprisingly favors its organication by bacteria, which transform part of the admixed selenium (SelV) into more bioavailable organic forms such as SeMet and MeSeCys and partly into other organic fragments.

In the light of the above, the preparation of the invention finds use in the livestock industry for the preparation of feeds, in the dye industry, in the pharmaceutical industry, in the nutraceutical industry, in the cosmetics industry, in the food supplements industry and in the herbal industry, in the agricultural field.

In the latter application, the preparation of the invention has been shown to promote the translocation at a stomatal level and the stability on the leaf cuticle .

Feeds, dyes, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals , supplements, herbal preparations and all the products comprising the composition described above are all further objects of the invention.

According to a further aspect, the preparation described comprising inulin, vitamin B12 and selenium finds use as a medicament.

In particular, its ability to reduce the level of cholesterol, glucose, lipids, oxidizing agents has been demonstrated (thereby carrying out an antioxidant function) and, therefore, its use in the treatment of cardiac dysfunctions, hypertension, diabetes and diseases associated with metabolic dysfunction is contemplated herein.

By the term "metabolic syndrome", in particular, it is meant the set of metabolic risk factors that increase the possibility of developing heart diseases, stroke and diabetes.

The exact cause of the metabolic syndrome is not known, although there is evidence of genetic factors, the presence of an excessive amount of body fat and lack of exercise.

The use of the preparation of the invention for the prevention of tumors is also described herein.

EXAMPLE 1

INUPLUS composition

EXAMPLE 2

The composition of the invention was used for the preparation of a flour and, therefore, of bakery products such as bread and pizza.

Figure 1 shows a loaf of bread prepared with a traditional composition, not containing the preparation of the invention (1A) and a loaf of bread obtained using the preparation of the invention (IB) . Figure IB shows an improvement of the color of the bakery product after baking which is accompanied by a greater crispness thereof.

EXAMPLE 3

The composition of the invention was used for the preparation of milk-based products: milk, ice cream, yoghurt, mozzarella, ricotta, cheese, in an amount of about 6-7% by weight with respect to the volume of milk .

EXAMPLE 4

The composition of the invention was used for the preparation of beverages.

EXAMPLE 5

The composition of the invention was used for the preparation of some foods .

hamburgers, meatballs, cured 5-7%

meats, frankfurters, sausage,

luncheon meat

The advantages offered by the preparation of the present invention are clear from the above.

First, it allows using and valuing a resource, represented by the waste parts of the artichoke plant, which would otherwise be discarded.

The possibility of using other plant sources, such as chicory, therefore allows valuing other resources, which otherwise remain undervalued.

Furthermore, the combination of the three components: inulin, vitamin B12 and selenium, has been shown to produce a surprising synergistic effect with respect to the single ingredients.

This synergy was even more pronounced upon the addition of the other functionalizing substances described .

In particular, the possibility of using the composition of the invention as a texturing factor in the preparation of food products and, in particular, of sweet and savory bakery products has been shown. It has been noticed that during the process of fermentation and baking, the formation of highly stable organic and inorganic selenium complexes (such as SeMet and MeSeCys or other organic fragments) takes pi3.C6 ^ 3.CCompanied by an increase in the action of digestive enzymes.

The bioavailability of selenium and of other antioxidant and nutritional compounds is therefore increased and improved.

This is also possible due to the formation of a three-dimensional inulin lattice during the preparation of the mixture of the invention (facilitated by the use of water at a certain pH) , in the meshes of which the other components are inserted, which can thus be more easily assimilated. Moreover, it has been seen that the preparation described above can replace, at least partly, the fat portion in bakery or dairy products, thus reducing the calories intake.

This is due to the possibility of forming water or milk microcrystals therebetween, which are not perceptible to the palate but allow obtaining a markedly creamy and smooth texture.

The neutral or slightly sweet taste (inulin has a sweetening power of about 30-50% compared to sucrose) , moreover, allows its addiction without substantially altering the flavor of food.

The use of the preparation of the invention as a medicament, moreover, responds to the consumers' demand for natural products and nutraceuticals with hypolipidaemic, hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic action .

With particular reference to the levels of blood sugar, the surprising results obtained from the use of the preparation of the invention in obtaining products characterized by a lower glycemic index should be recognized.

Moreover, thanks to the consumption of the described preparation, it will be easier to get the recommended daily requirement of vitamin B12 (1-2 g/day) and selenium (about 55 g/day) .

It was also surprisingly found that all the advantages above described are not in any way at the expense of other desirable properties in the final products obtained with the preparation of the invention, such as for example the possibility of providing a food product that is:

- more complete,

- more digestible, with particular reference to the digestibility and tolerance to lactose,

- more functional,

- crispier and more fragrant,

- looking more pleasing to the consumer,

- able to be preserved for as long as or even longer than the products which do not comprise the preparation of the invention, despite the ability of the compound to maintain a higher humidity,

- able to improve the capacity of absorption of calcium .

From the industrial point of view, the preparation of the invention improves the processability of the mixtures in which it is included, just for the fact of being able to increase the miscibility of the ingredients and, therefore, the formation of more homogeneous preparations.

In addition, with regard to bakery products, it was noted that the stability to baking processes has increased .

The composition of the invention has also surprisingly shown to improve the absorption of calcium in milk-based products, which is an important and useful element for health and well-being, especially for women, children and the elderly. With particular reference to yoghurt, an additional synergistic action has been observed due to the combination with the yoghurt bacilli, which allows a more rapid colonization of the intestine and a greater percentage of survival of the strains introduced, at the same time improving the digestibility and tolerability of lactose, present although in a smaller amount compared to milk.

As regards the preparation of beverages, like for example water (understood as added and/or modified water beverages) or wine (understood as wine-based preparation) , these are extremely useful in the diet of hospitalized patients that otherwise have difficulties in being fed due to problems in eating food .

On the contrary, the possibility of producing meat- based preparations, such as hamburgers, comprising the composition of the invention, meets the needs of being able to administer/take an adequate amount of fibers within a functional preparation which has synergies effects due to the association with vitamin B12 and selenium.

Those skilled in the art may make changes, additions or replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent from the description of the present invention in order to meet specific incidental needs, without departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Each of the features described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be obtained irrespective of the other embodiments described.