Vitamin E is fat soluble and hydrophobic, meaning it does not mix with water and, if the wrong form of vitamin E is used, an oily film may form on the surface of beverages and other fortified products in liquid form.
So-called ACE drinks (that is, fortified with vitamins A, C and E) have proved successful in the marketplace, as consumers seek additional benefits beyond simple hydration from the beverage they buy. Fortification is also being considered not just in juice drinks but in other kinds of products too, such as dairy drinks.
The new vitamin E, called SternVit E 50% SD, is offered as a single ingredient. Product manager Broder Ratfeld told NutraIngredients.com that the vitamin is embedded in “a special microencapsulation matrix based on modified food starch and maltodextrin”.
This means that the vitamin E oil droplets are evenly dispersed throughout the liquid, preventing not only oil droplets on the surface but also cloudiness in the beverage. Moreover, it is free flowing and does not clump, even in humid conditions.
It has a relative humidity of 75% and does not lose its structure even at temperatures exceeding 37ºc.
A year in development
The ingredient consists of at least 50% vitamin E acetate (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate), with carriers and flow aids.
“SternVitamin has worked on developing the product and the spray-drying process for about one year,” said Ratfeld.
When it comes to choosing vitamins for use in a fortified ACE beverage, Ratfeld said manufacturers have two options: “Either blend the single vitamins themselves or buy ACE vitamins in a blend. SternVitamin is happy to help with its expertise in either option”.
Although ACE drinks are an obvious area of interest for the new ingredient, SternVitamin says it can be used in a wide range of other healthy and functional food products too, such as sports drinks, muesli bars, baby foods and dietary supplements.