초록 ▼

An improved protein beverage/drink composition which may provide a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liqui

An improved protein beverage/drink composition which may provide a relatively high protein content, ranging from about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight, while optionally employing a carbonation concentration between about 0.1 volumes of carbonation (per volume of liquid drink solution or liquid drink suspension) to about 6 volumes of carbonation. Preferably the protein is a protein, such preferably as whey protein, or others. The protein beverage may contain juice and/or an additive which provides energy generation enhancement. The protein beverage may be heat treated to inactivate pathogenic microbes in the presence of the carbonation which may be used to provide taste and mouth feel for the drink. Typically, the treatment for pathogenic microbe inactivation is carried out in the individual package used for storage and handling of the protein drink.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising: about 0% by weight to about 98% by weight juice; about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and wherein said protein beverage c

We claim: 1. A protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising: about 0% by weight to about 98% by weight juice; about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and wherein said protein beverage composition exhibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4 and is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of pathogenic microbes known to be harmful to human health, both at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and for a time period of at least one year after packaging. 2. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said juice is fruit juice or vegetable juice. 3. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said weight % of juice present ranges from about 15% by weight to about 25% by weight. 4. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said weight % of protein present ranges from about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight. 5. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 4, wherein said weight % of protein present ranges from about 5% by weight to about 8% by weight. 6. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protein is derived from whey protein. 7. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 6, wherein said whey protein is derived from whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate or whey protein hydrolysate. 8. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 7, wherein said whey protein is derived from whey protein isolate. 9. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 7, wherein said whey protein is an aqueous whey protein isolate or an aqueous whey protein concentrate. 10. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 7, wherein said whey protein is a dry whey protein isolate or a dry whey protein concentrate. 11. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 9, wherein said dry whey protein isolate or dry whey protein concentrate is hydrated to prepare an aqueous whey protein isolate or aqueous whey protein concentrate prior to addition to said protein beverage composition. 12. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 9 or claim 11, wherein a pH adjusting agent is added to said aqueous whey protein isolate or aqueous whey protein concentrate to lower the pH of the aqueous whey protein isolate or aqueous whey protein concentrate to the pH of said beverage composition prior to addition of said aqueous whey protein isolate or aqueous whey protein concentrate to said protein beverage composition. 13. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pH ranges from about 3.0 to about 3.2. 14. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protein beverage is a carbonated protein beverage which contains carbonation. 15. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 14, wherein said carbonation ranges from about 1.6 volumes to about 3.5 volumes per volume of liquid in said protein beverage. 16. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 15, wherein said carbonation ranges from about 1.6 volumes to about 3.5 volumes per volume of liquid in said protein beverage. 17. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 16, wherein said carbonation ranges from about 1.7 volumes to about 3.0 volumes per volume of liquid in said protein beverage. 18. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said essentially free from active microbe condition is created by the inactivation of microbes in the individual container in which said protein beverage composition is packaged. 19. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 18, wherein said inactivation was accomplished using a timed temperature condition of the protein beverage, while said protein beverage is contained in said individual container. 20. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said beverage comprises at least one additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an anti-foaming agent, a nutrient, calcium or a calcium derivative, an energy-generating additive, an herbal supplement, a concentrated plant extract, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent. 21. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 20, wherein said energy-generating additive is selected from the group consisting of caffeine, citrulline malate, a magnesium-containing compound, and combinations thereof. 22. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 21, wherein said energy-generating additive is caffeine. 23. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 22, wherein a concentration of said caffeine ranges from about 0.01% to about 0.085% by weight. 24. A protein juice beverage in accordance with claim 21, wherein said energy-generating additive is citrulline malate. 25. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 24, wherein a concentration of said citrulline malate ranges from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight. 26. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 21, wherein said energy-generating additive is a magnesium-containing compound. 27. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 26, wherein said concentration of said magnesium-containing compound ranges from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight. 28. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 26, wherein said magnesium compound is selected from the group consisting of magnesium aspartate, magnesium oxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium citrate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium orotate, magnesium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, and combinations thereof. 29. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 21, wherein said energy generating additive is a combination of at least two additives selected from the group consisting of caffeine, citrulline malate, and a magnesium-containing compound. 30. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said beverage further comprises a chemical preservative or a natural preservative. 31. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 30, wherein said chemical preservative is a sorbate or a benzoate and said natural preservative is nisin or natamycin. 32. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 20, wherein said concentrated plant extract has a high nutritional content. 33. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 20, wherein said concentrated plant extract contributes negligibly to the overall calorie content of the protein beverage. 34. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protein beverage is a meal replacement. 35. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 1, wherein said protein is selected from the group consisting of whey protein, casein, lactalbumin, serum albumin, glycomacropeptide, soy protein, rice protein, pea protein, canola protein, wheat protein, hemp protein, zein, flax protein, egg white protein, ovalbumin, gelatin protein, and combinations thereof. 36. A method of preparing a protein beverage, comprising: admixing in water a juice to achieve a percent by weight of about 0% to about 98% juice, a protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 2% to about 15%, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 3.4, thereby obtaining an admixture; heating said admixture to a temperature ranging from about 140° F. to about 188° F. for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 10 seconds; cooling said admixture to a temperature of about 40° F. or less over a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes; and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and packaging said protein beverage in a container which may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the protein beverage. 37. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein an amount of a pH adjusting agent is added to said admixture to provide a pH of between about 3.0 and about 3.2. 38. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein said juice is fruit juice or vegetable juice. 39. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein said weight % of juice present ranges from about 15% by weight to about 25% by weight. 40. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein said protein is added to the admixture to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 3% to about 10%. 41. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 40, wherein said protein is added to the admixture to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 5% to about 8%. 42. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein said protein is derived from whey protein. 43. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 42, wherein said whey protein is derived from whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, or whey protein hydrolysate. 44. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 43, wherein said whey protein is an aqueous whey protein isolate or an aqueous whey protein concentrate. 45. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 43, wherein said whey protein is a dry whey protein isolate or a dry whey protein concentrate. 46. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 45, wherein said dry whey protein isolate or dry whey protein concentrate is hydrated to prepare an aqueous whey protein isolate or aqueous whey protein concentrate prior to addition to said whey protein beverage. 47. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein additional ingredients are admixed into said admixture prior to heating of said admixture, and said additional ingredients include at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of a nutrient, calcium or a calcium derivative, an energy-generating additive, an herbal supplement, a concentrated plant extract, a flavoring agent, a sweetener, and a coloring agent. 48. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 47, wherein said energy-generating additive is selected from the group consisting of caffeine, citrulline malate, a magnesium-containing compound, and combinations thereof. 49. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 48, wherein said energy-generating additive is caffeine. 50. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 49, wherein said caffeine ranges from about 0.01% to about 0.085% by weight. 51. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 48, wherein said energy-generating additive is citrulline malate. 52. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 51, wherein a concentration of said citrulline malate ranges from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight. 53. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 48, wherein said energy-generating additive is a magnesium-containing compound. 54. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 53, wherein said concentration of said magnesium-containing compound ranges from about 0.1% by weight to about 2.0% by weight. 55. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 54, wherein said magnesium compound is selected from the group consisting of magnesium aspartate, magnesium oxide, magnesium lactate, magnesium citrate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium gluconate, magnesium orotate, magnesium chloride, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium phosphate, magnesium sulfate, and combinations thereof. 56. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 48, wherein said energy generating additive is a combination of at least two additives selected from the group consisting of caffeine, a magnesium-containing compound, and citrulline malate. 57. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein a chemical preservative or a natural preservative is admixed into said admixture. 58. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 57, wherein said chemical preservative is a sorbate or a benzoate and said natural preservative is nisin or natamycin. 59. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 47, wherein said concentrated plant extract has a high nutritional content. 60. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 47, wherein said concentrated plant extract contributes negligibly to the overall calorie content of the carbonated protein beverage. 61. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 47, wherein said protein beverage is a meal replacement. 62. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 36, wherein said protein is selected from the group consisting of whey protein, casein, lactalbunin, serum albumin, glycomacropeptide, soy protein, rice protein, pea protein, canola protein, wheat protein, hemp protein, zein, flax protein, egg white protein, ovalbumin, gelatin protein, and combinations thereof. 63. A protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising: about 0% by weight to about 98% by weight juice; about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; about 0% alcohol by volume to about 15% alcohol by volume; and wherein said protein beverage composition exhibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4 and is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of pathogenic microbes known to be harmful to human health, both at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and for a time period of at least one year after packaging. 64. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 63, wherein said protein is derived from whey protein. 65. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 64, wherein said whey protein is derived from whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate or whey protein hydrolysate. 66. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 63, wherein said alcohol by volume ranges from about 4% alcohol by volume to about 8% alcohol by volume. 67. A protein beverage composition in accordance with claim 63, wherein said alcohol is derived from Malt base, fermented from grain. 68. A method of preparing a protein beverage, comprising: admixing in water a juice to achieve a percent by weight of about 0% to about 98% juice, a protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 2% to about 15%, an alcohol to achieve a percent by weight of alcohol in the admixture of about 0% alcohol by volume to about 15% alcohol by volume, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 3.4, thereby obtaining an admixture; heating said admixture to a temperature ranging from about 140° F. to about 188° F. for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 10 seconds; cooling said admixture to a temperature of about 40° F. or less over a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes; and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and packaging said protein beverage in a container which may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the protein beverage. 69. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 68, wherein said protein is derived from whey protein. 70. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 69, wherein said whey protein is derived from whey protein isolate, whey protein concentrate or whey protein hydrolysate. 71. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 68, wherein said alcohol by volume ranges from about 4% alcohol by volume to about 8% alcohol by volume. 72. A method of preparing a protein beverage in accordance with claim 68, wherein said alcohol is derived from Malt base, fermented from grain. 73. A protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising: about 0% by weight to about 100% by weight juice; about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight protein wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and wherein said protein beverage composition exhibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 14 and is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of pathogenic microbes known to be harmful to human health, both at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and for a time period of at least one year after packaging. 74. A method of preparing a protein beverage, comprising: admixing in water a juice to achieve a percent by weight of about 0% to about 100% juice, a protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 0.01% to about 15%, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 3.4, thereby obtaining an admixture; heating said admixture to a temperature ranging from about 140° F. to about 188° F. for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 10 seconds; cooling said admixture to a temperature of about 40° F. or less over a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes; and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and packaging said protein beverage in a container which may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the protein beverage. 75. A protein beverage composition suitable for human consumption, comprising: about 0% by weight to about 100% by weight juice; about 0.01% by weight to about 15% by weight protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; about 0% alcohol by volume to about 15% alcohol by volume; and wherein said protein beverage composition exhibits a pH ranging from about 2.0 to about 3.4 and is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, wherein both, at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and during subsequent storage without refrigeration for a time period of at least one year after packaging, substantial solubility of the protein is maintained in the beverage composition, and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of pathogenic microbes known to be harmful to human health, both at the time of packaging of the protein beverage and for a time period of at least one year after packaging. 76. A method of preparing a protein beverage, comprising: admixing in water a juice to achieve a percent by weight of about 0% to about 100% juice, a protein, wherein said protein is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose, to achieve a percent by weight of protein in the admixture of about 0.01% to about 15%, an alcohol to achieve a percent by weight of alcohol in the admixture of about 0% alcohol by volume to about 15% alcohol by volume, and an amount of a pH adjusting agent to provide a pH of between about 2 and about 3.4, thereby obtaining an admixture; heating said admixture to a temperature ranging from about 140° F. to about 188° F. for a time period ranging from about 60 seconds to about 10 seconds; cooling said admixture to a temperature of about 40° F. or less over a time period ranging from about 5 minutes to about 10 minutes; and wherein said protein beverage is essentially free of lactose and hydrolyzed lactose; and packaging said protein beverage in a container which may be stored without refrigeration for more than one year before use by a consumer of the protein beverage.