Compositions containing non-polar compounds
Provided herein are compositions and methods for preparing foods and beverages that contain additives, such as nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and supplements, such as essential fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids, and other fatty acids; phytochemicals, including phytosterols; other oils; and coenzymes, including Coenzyme Q10, and other oil-based additives.
1. A liquid nanoemulsion concentrate, comprising:
a non-polar active ingredient;
a tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) surfactant; and
a polar protic solvent, wherein:
the particles of the concentrate have a size that is less than about 500 nm;
the amount of non-polar active ingredient is between about 5% and about 10%, by weight, of the concentrate;
the amount of TPGS surfactant is between about 18% and about 25%, by weight, of the concentrate;
the amount of polar solvent is between about 60% and about 76%, by weight, of the concentrate; and
the non-polar active ingredient is not TPGS.
2. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , wherein the non-polar active ingredient is selected from among any one or more of polyunsaturated fatty acids, Coenzyme Q10 compounds and phytosterols.
3. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , wherein the non-polar active ingredient is one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids.
4. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , wherein the non-polar active ingredient comprises at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid selected from among omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, and conjugated fatty acids.
5. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 4 , wherein the non-polar active ingredient comprises a polyunsaturated fatty acid selected from among a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a fish oil, a flaxseed oil, a borage oil, an alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and a saw palmetto extract.
6. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , wherein the polar protic solvent is selected from among water, glycerin, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and trimethylene glycol.
7. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 6 , wherein the polar protic solvent is water.
8. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 7 , wherein the amount of water is between about 65% and 76%, by weight, of the concentrate.
9. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , wherein the TPGS is TPGS-1000.
10. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 9 , wherein the polar solvent is water; and the non-polar active ingredient comprises at least one polyunsaturated fatty acid.
11. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , further comprising a co-surfactant at an amount sufficient to stabilize the concentrate, compared to the absence of the co-surfactant.
12. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 11 , wherein the co-surfactant is a phospholipid that comprises phosphatidylcholine.
13. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , further comprising at least one preservative in an amount sufficient to preserve the concentrate, compared to the absence of the preservative.
14. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 13 , wherein the at least one preservative comprises benzyl alcohol.
15. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 1 , further comprising an emulsion stabilizer in an amount sufficient to stabilize the concentrate, compared to the absence of the emulsion stabilizer.
16. The liquid nanoemulsion concentrate of claim 15 , wherein the emulsion stabilizer comprises a blend of gums.