Strontium (M) ascorbate, compositions containing same, method for making same and method of using same

1. A method of making the compound of formula (1):

(ascorbate) 2 Sr:(M +a ) x (ascorbate) y

wherein ascorbate refers to the ascorbate anion:

wherein y is a positive integer, wherein x is a positive integer, wherein a is a positive integer reflecting the valence of M;

wherein (y)=((x) multiplied by (+a)) such that a total positive charge ((x) multiplied by (+a)) equals a total negative charge (y) provided that the ascorbate anion has a negative valence of (−1); and

wherein M is an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal or Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe or a combination thereof, the method comprising:

(a) dissolving at least a stoichiometric amount of ascorbic acid in water at a first solution temperature sufficient to dissolve the ascorbic acid in a solution;

(b) adding at least a stoichiometric amount of strontium carbonate (SrCO 3 ) to the solution of ascorbic acid;

(c) adding at least a stoichiometric amount of M carbonate (M +a ) x1 (CO 3 ) y1 to the solution having a second solution temperature, where (+a) ×(x1) =(−2) ×(y1), where x1 is an integer and y1 is an integer;

(d) adjusting the second solution temperature within a range from about 40° C. to about 80° C. for a time sufficient to form the compound of formula (1); and

(e) optionally, drying the slurry at a drying temperature and for a drying time sufficient to yield at least the compound of formula (1) in solid or semi-solid form,

wherein the strontium carbonate (SrCO 3 ) is provided in powder or granular form; and

wherein the ratio of the moles of Sr to the moles of M is selected from 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.25, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.75, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, and 4.

2. The method of claim 1 where in step (c) comprises incrementally adding the M carbonate (M +a ) x1 (CO 3 ) y1 to the solution.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the M carbonate (M +a ) x1 (CO 3 ) y1 is calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ).

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) is provided in powder or granular form.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (1) is the compound of formula (2):

(ascorbate) 2 Sr:Ca(ascorbate) 2

wherein Sr refers to strontium and Ca refers to calcium.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the moles of Sr plus the moles of M is at least twice the moles of ascorbic acid dissolved in the solution.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein M is selected from Na, K, Mg, Ca, Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe and combinations thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the second solution temperature is maintained within a temperature range selected (1) from about 45° C. to about 75° C., (2) from about 50° C. to about 70° C., (3) from about 55° C. to about 65° C., (4) from about 58° C. to about 62° C., (5) from about 59° C. to about 60° C., and (6) about 60° C.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising (f) adding calcium threonate to the solution before step (d), before step (c), or before step (b) after in an amount such that the amount of calcium threonate added is from about 1% to about 5% by weight based on a final total weight of the compound (including the weight of the calcium threonate) of formula (1) in dry form.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the compound of formula (1) is the compound of formula (2) of claim 5 .

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the compound of formula (1) is in a solid form.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the compound of formula (2) is in a solid form.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the solid form is a powder form, a granular form, or a cake form.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the solid form is a powder form, a granular form, or a cake form.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Na or K.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Na.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Mg, or Ca.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Mn, Cu, Zn, or Fe.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein M is Fe.