Vitamin powder composition and method of making

Abstract

A powder composition containing at least one fat-soluble vitamin dispersed in a matrix of a natural polysaccharide gum or a mixture of gums having an emulsifying capacity and/or a protein or a mixture of proteins having an emulsifying capacity. The fat-soluble vitamin in the powder compositions is in the form of droplets having an average diameter in the range of about 70 to about 200 nm. Tablets, beverages and beverage concentrates, foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals containing the powder composition can be made.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An emulsion for preparing a powder composition comprising fat-soluble vitamin droplets dispersed in a matrix component, wherein the droplets are about 70 to about 200 nm in diameter. 
     
     
         2 . A beverage comprising a liquid admixed with a powder composition comprising at least one fat-soluble vitamin, wherein a vitamin is dispersed in a matrix comprising an emulsion-forming composition selected from the group consisting of a natural polysaccharide gum, a mixture of polysaccharide gums, a protein, a mixture of proteins, and mixtures thereof, wherein the fat-soluble vitamin is present in the powder composition in the form of droplets having an average diameter of about 70 to about 200 nanometers (nm). 
     
     
         3 . A beverage according to  claim 2 , wherein the beverage has an optical clarity of no more than 20 NTUs when the beverage contains up to 6 mg of the vitamin in 100 g of liquid. 
     
     
         4 . A skin care product comprising a powder composition having at least one fat-soluble vitamin, wherein a vitamin is dispersed in a matrix comprising an emulsion-forming composition selected from the group consisting of a natural polysaccharide gum, a mixture of polysaccharide gums, a protein, a mixture of proteins, and mixtures thereof, wherein the fat-soluble vitamin is present in the powder composition in the form of droplets having an average diameter of about 70 to about 200 nanometers (nm). 
     
     
         5 . A skin care product according to  claim 4 , which is selected from the group consisting of balms, lotions, sticks, ointments, make-up compositions, shampoos, conditioners, and nail polishes. 
     
     
         6 . A method for producing a powder composition comprising:
 (a) combining water with a matrix component for a period of time sufficient for the matrix component to dissolve in the water to form a solution;   (b) adding a fat-soluble vitamin to the solution to form a crude emulsion;   (c) emulsifying the crude emulsion at a temperature of about 5° C. to about 75° C. at a pressure of about 10,000 psi (about 680 bar) to about 60,000 psi (about 4080 bar), to obtain a vitamin supplement emulsion consisting of droplets with average diameter sizes of 70-200 nm; and   (d) drying the emulsion to obtain a powder composition.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6  further comprising mixing the crude emulsion until the size of the droplets within the emulsion is about 1500 nm in diameter or less before the emulsifying step. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein the emulsifying step occurs at a pressure of about 25,000 psi (about 1700 bar).