Whey-based nutritional compositions fortified with calcium
AssigneeSociete des Produits Nestle S.A.
InventorsGiovanni Barone, Alan L. Kelly, James A. O'Mahony, Jonathan O'Regan
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Abstract
The invention concerns whey-based nutritional compositions fortified with calcium that are suitable for infant nutrition, including infant formula (IF) and growing up milk (GUM). The nutritional compositions are based on α-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate that has been fortified with calcium.
Claims15
A calcium fortified α-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate (α-lac WPC), wherein at least 80% of calcium binding sites on proteins in the calcium fortified α-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate (α-lac WPC) are occupied by calcium ions, at least 68% of the total calcium is bound by protein, and the calcium fortified α-lac WPC has a calcium content of 200-600 mg/100 g.
A nutritional composition comprising calcium fortified α-lac WPC, wherein at least 80% of calcium binding sites on proteins in the calcium fortified α-lactalbumin enriched whey protein concentrate (α-lac WPC) are occupied by calcium ions, at least 68% of the total calcium is bound by protein, and the nutritional composition has a calcium content of 400-3200 mg/100 g.
A method for providing a calcium fortified α-lac WPC comprising the following successive steps:
- (i) providing a WPC, wherein the α-lac is in the calcium depleted apo state;
- (ii) precipitating the apo form α-lac to provide an α-lac enriched WPC;
- and
- (iii) mixing the apo form α-lac WPC obtained in step (ii) with a calcium salt,
- wherein the calcium fortified α-lac WPC contains at least 68% of the total calcium bound by protein, and the calcium fortified α-lac WPC has a calcium content of 200-600 mg/100 g.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.