Protein hydrolysate and plant sterol containing composition for improving serum lipid profile and preventing atheroscleroris

Abstract

The invention relates to a terapeutical composition comprising a protein hydrolysate and a plant sterol, wherein the weight ratio of the plant sterol to the protein hydrolysate is from 1:0.02 to 1:150. The invention also relates to a terapeutical composition comprising a protein hydrolysate and a synthetic emulsifier and / or a lipid based grain fraction having emulsifying properties. Said compositions can be used in a pharmaceutical, nutraceutical or food product for improving serum lipid profile.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates to the field of nutrition and health. Especially it concerns improved compositions for oral use suitable for improving serum lipid profile including reducing serum total and / or LDL cholesterol and / or apolipoprotein B levels.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the major causes of death in western world. Elevated serum total and / or LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol and triacyl-glycerol levels, as well as low ratio of HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol to LDL cholesterol, are some of the major risk factors for CVD. Recently also serum levels of apolipoprotein B 100 (apo B) has been shown to be a reliable CVD risk marker. In most developed countries a substantial amount of the population have serum cholesterol levels not within the recommended levels. One of the first steps in improving the serum lipid profile is changes in life style including changes in diet and exercise. It seem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0051]Prior art discloses protein / phospholipid and protein hydrolysate / phospholipid complexes containing 10% or more bound phospholipid (EP 0 790 060 A1), especially lecithin or enzyme modified lecithin, where both the protein or protein hydrolysate and phospholipids have lipid metabolism improving effect. In the present invention a wider range of emulsifiers or their combinations can be used. This is of particular benefit when the complex is added into food products, pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals, where the emulsifiers can be selected to bring advantageous effects on the properties, e.g. texture or taste, of the final product and not just solely on the basis of enhancing the lipid profile improving effect of the protein hydrolysate.

[0052]Commercially available plant sterols in their free form can be used as such, or more preferably the particle size of the plant sterols is reduced to enhance the dispersability and solubility of plant sterols. Particle size reduction can be done by many techniques known in the art, e.g. by grinding. Advantageously the main part of plant sterols is in esterified form and preferably melted, if needed, before addition into food products, pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals.

[0053]In another embodiment of the present invention plant sterols in a form of a plant sterol / emulsifier complex, or plant sterols dissolved or suspended in a fat, and protein hydrolysate are added into food products, pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals separately as ingredients. The active ingredients are added into food material, pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals by conventional processes for producing these products. The plant sterol / emulsifier complex or the suspension or solution containing plant sterols and fat is prepared by dissolving or suspending plant sterols in their free form, preferably with reduced particle size, in a melt of an emulsifier, a fat or a mixture of emulsifier and fat at elevated temperatures, preferably at >60° C., more preferably at >80° C., mixing to form a homogenous dispersion or solution and cooling with agitation. Also molten plant sterols may be used. The weight ratio of plant sterols to emulsifier can be from 1:0.01 to 1:5, preferably from 1:0.05 to 1:2, more preferably from 1:0.1 to 1:2. The crude fat content, excluding plant sterols and emulsifiers, is preferably less than 80%, more preferably less than 60%, most preferably less than 20% of the weight of the complex or dispersion or solution. Also plant sterols mainly in their esterified form may be used instead of plant sterols in their free form. Protein hydrolysates can be used in any suitable form including protein hydrolysate slurry, washed and / or dried protein hydrolysate, protein hydrolysate in an aqueous solution, protein hydrolysate with reduced particle size and protein hydrolysate / emulsifier complex.

[0054]In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the plant sterol(s), the emulsifier(s) and the protein hydrolysate(s) are combined into a protein hydro-lysate / plant sterol / emulsifier complex that can be used as such or added into pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals or food products.

[0055]The complex is preferably prepared by first dissolving or suspending plant sterols in a melt of an emulsifier, a fat or a mixture of emulsifier and fat at elevated temperatures, preferably at >60° C., more preferably at >80° C., mixed to form a homogenous dispersion or solution and cooled with agitation. The weight ratio of plant sterols to emulsifier can be from 1:0.01 to 1:5, preferably from 1:0.05 to 1:2, more preferably from 1:0.1 to 1:2. The fat content, excluding plant sterols and emulsifiers, is preferably 0-80%, more preferably 0-60%, most preferably 0-20% of the weight of the complex or suspension or solution. Protein hydrolysate in a dry form, as a slurry or a water washed protein hydrolysate or an aqueous protein hydrolysate suspension or solution is then mixed and homogenized with the cooled plant sterol / emulsifier or plant sterol / fat or plant sterol / emulsifier / fat mixture to form a protein hydrolysate / plant sterol / emulsifier complex or if no emulsifier is present, a protein hydrolysate / plant sterol complex. The homogenized mixture can optionally be dried and / or its particle size reduced before usage. Plant sterols in their free form are preferably used. Plant sterols in their free form with reduced particle size are especially preferred. Also molten plant sterols may be used. Plant sterols mainly in their esterified form may also be used. The complex may also be prepared by combining a protein hydrolysate / emulsifier complex and plant sterols.

[0056]Alternatively the compositions consisting the protein hydrolysate(s), the emulsifier(s) and / or fat(s) and the plant sterol(s) can be prepared by first exposing a complex of unhydrolyzed protein / emulsifier or unhydrolyzed protein / plant sterols or unhydrolyzed protein / plant sterols / emulsifier(s) to hydrolysis, preferably to enzymatic hydrolysis by methods and processes known in the art and described earlier, and then combining the hydrolyzed complex with other components according to the present invention.

Problems solved by technology

It seems, however, difficult to change dietary habits and to follow dietary recommendations.

However, there is no data on possible long-term side effects of ingestion of high daily amounts (>3 g / day or higher) of plant sterols.

Furthermore, there is currently not a clear understanding of the biological impact of the increased serum level and thus higher systemic availability of plant sterols caused by increased intake from sterol enriched foods, especially foods enriched with unsaturated plant sterols.