Process for producing sugars and acids-rich juice and phytochemical-rich juice

Abstract

A method is described for processing fruit or vegetables, e.g., cranberries, into two different juices. One of the two juices has a relatively high level of phytochemicals and a relatively low level of sugars and acids. The other of the two juices has a relatively low level of phytochemicals and a relatively high level of sugars and acids. The method of the invention entails providing three juice streams. The first juice stream is passed through an ultrafiltration apparatus or some other apparatus that is capable of preferentially separating the relatively lower molecular weight compounds, e.g., sugars and acids, from the relatively higher molecular weight compounds, e.g., phytochemicals. This process creates two juice fractions: a juice fraction that is relatively enriched in sugars and acids and a juice fraction that is relatively enriched in phytochemicals. The second juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively enriched in sugars and acids to create a juice that has a relatively high level of sugars and acids and a relatively low level of phytochemicals. The third juice stream is combined with the juice fraction that is relatively enriched in phytochemicals to create a juice that has a relatively high level of phytochemicals and a relatively low level of sugars and acids.

1 . A method comprising: 
 providing a fruit juice that is substantially free of insoluble fruit solids,    treating a first portion of the fruit juice to preferentially separate the relatively lower molecular weight sugars and acids from the relatively higher molecular weight phytochemical compounds whereby a relatively lower molecular weight sugars and acids-rich juice fraction and a relatively higher molecular weight phytochemical-rich juice fraction are produced, and    combining the relatively higher molecular weight phytochemical-rich juice fraction with a second portion of the fruit juice to create a phytochemical-rich fruit juice.    
   
   
       2 - 60 . (canceled)