Infant formulas containing lutein compounds

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that the addition of lutein compounds to thermally processed nutritionals brightens the nutritional resulting in a more appealing color. Thermally processed liquid and powder nutritionals typically present brown and gray hues in the final color, which negatively impact the overall appeal of the nutritional. The inventors have discovered that the lutein compounds eliminate the gray and brown hues without imparting the relatively strong yellow color typically associated with lutein compounds. Additionally, the nutritionals possess long term color stability.

1 . A method for brightening the color of a thermally processed infant formula, which method comprises adding at least one lutein compound selected from the group consisting of free lutein, lutein esters, free zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin esters, isomeric forms thereof, and nutritionally acceptable salts thereof to the formula, and wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.2 ppm to about 60 ppm of the infant formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         2 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         3 . A method for brightening the color of a thermally processed infant formula, which method comprises adding to the formula at least one lutein compound selected from the group consisting of free lutein, lutein esters, free zeaxanthin. zeaxanthin esters, isomeric forms thereof, and nutritionally acceptable salts thereof, wherein said lutein compound comprises lutein esters which represent from about 0.5 ppm to about 125 ppm of the infant formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         4 . An infant formula comprising: protein, carbohydrate, lipid, 
 at least one lutein compound selected from the group consisting of free lutein, lutein esters, free zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin esters, isomeric forms thereof, and nutritionally acceptable salts thereof.    
     
     
         5 . The infant formula according to  claim 4 , wherein said lutein compound comprises from about 0.2 ppm to about 60 ppm of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         6 . The infant formula according to  claim 4 , wherein said lutein compound comprises lutein esters which represent from about 0.5 ppm to about 125 ppm of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         7 - 15 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         16 . A method for masking the gray tint of thermally processed infant formulas, which method comprises adding to the formula at least one lutein compound selected from the group consisting of free lutein, lutein esters, free zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin esters, isomeric forms thereof, and nutritionally acceptable salts thereof to the nutritional.  
     
     
         17 . A method for enhancing the appearance of thermally processed infant formulas by masking brown tints, which method comprises adding to the formula at least one lutein compound selected from the group consisting of free lutein, lutein esters, free zeaxanthin, zeaxanthin esters, isomeric forms thereof, and nutritionally acceptable salts thereof to the nutritional.  
     
     
         18 . A method for delivering nutrition to an infant by administering the infant formula according to  claim 4 .  
     
     
         19 - 23 . (cancelled)  
     
     
         24 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the formula comprises, as a percentage of total calories in the formula, from about 8% to about 25% protein, from about 35% to about 50% carbohydrate, and from about 35% to about 50% lipid.  
     
     
         25 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.5 ppm to about 12 ppm of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         26 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.002 wt/vol % to about 0.63 wt/vol % of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         27 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.005 wt/vol % to about 0.12 wt/vol % of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         28 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.050 mg to about 15 mg, per 8 fluid ounces of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         29 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the lutein compound represents from about 0.125 mg to about 3 mg, per 8 fluid ounces of the formula as a liquid or reconstituted powder.  
     
     
         30 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the formula is a ready to feed liquid.  
     
     
         31 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the formula is reconstitutable powder.  
     
     
         32 . The infant formula of  claim 4  wherein the formula is a liquid concentrate.