Method For Producing Sterol Formulations

Abstract

The invention relates to a wet grinding method for producing sterol formulations having good wettability. According to said method, a) an additive selected from the group constituted by proteins, proteinaceous adjuvants, carbohydrates, cellulose derivatives, sugar alcohols, fruit concentrates and vegetable concentrates is dissolved or dispersed in water or in an aqueous suspension medium, b) sterol and/or stanol particles having a medium particle size of at least 1 mm are added to this solution/dispersion, c) the dispersion thus obtained is homogenized and size-reduced in a mill that works according to the rotor/stator principle, and d) is then optionally dried, with the proviso that the sterol and/or stanol particles are present in the final formulation with a particle size distribution of D 90% of not more than 50 μm. Owing to their good wettability, the sterol-containing formulations produced according to this method can be incorporated into food items without complex technology and have good organoleptic and sensory properties especially when used in drinks and dairy products.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation comprising
 free sterol particles and/or stanol particles; and   an additive selected from the group consisting of proteins, protein-containing auxiliaries, carbohydrates, cellulose derivatives, sugar alcohols, fruit concentrates and vegetable concentrates,   wherein in the powder formulation has a free sterol content of at least 75% by weight, and has a particle size distribution D 90% , of less than or equal to 50 μm, said particles of the formulations in the form of a powder are readily wettable.   
     
     
         2 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a protein or a protein-containing auxiliary which is selected from the group consisting of milk powder, whey powder, casein, caseinates, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a carbohydrate which is selected from the group of glucose, sucrose, fructose, trehalose, maltose, maltodextrin, cyclodextrin, invert sugar, palatinose, lactose, guar gum, xanthan, pectins, starch, starch derivatives, modified starches, alginates, carrageenan, wheat gluten, and gum arabic. 
     
     
         4 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises gum arabic or skimmed milk powder. 
     
     
         5 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the weight ratio of additive to sterol/stanol fraction is in the range of 1:3 to 1:20. 
     
     
         6 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the free sterol/stanol content is greater than 85% by weight. 
     
     
         7 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 6 , wherein the free sterol/stanol content is greater than 90% by weight. 
     
     
         8 . The sterol- and/or stanol-containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the formulation is free of a high surface activity emulsifier. 
     
     
         9 . A fruit concentrate or vegetable concentrate comprising such an amount of the sterol- and/or stanol -containing powder formulation of  claim 1 , such that said concentrate comprises at least 1% by weight of the sterols and/or stanols based on the total weight of said concentrate. 
     
     
         10 . A food containing 0.1 to 50% by weight of the sterol- and/or stanol powder formulation of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A food containing 0.1 to 50% by weight of the fruit concentrate or vegetable concentrate of  claim 9 .