Plant-based electrolyte compositions
This invention relates, inter alia, to various plant-based electrolyte compositions, methods of preparing them and methods of using them. One embodiment concerns a plant-based electrolyte composition comprising a plant-derived electrolyte content high in potassium relative to sodium, and a plant-derived carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume. Another embodiment concerns a method for re-hydrating an individual or preventing dehydration or over-hydration of an individual or or preventing or treating potassium deficiency in an individual, by administering to the individual a plant-based electrolyte composition. The electrolyte compositions can be prepared from sugarcane juice, sugar beet juice, sweet sorghum juice, palm syrup, maple sap, vegetable juice or fruit juice.
1. A method of preparing a consumable plant-based electrolyte composition formulated as a drink product or beverage, a concentrate, a gel, a powder, a granule, a capsule or a tablet, wherein steps of the method comprise:
(i) using a step of microfiltration or ultrafiltration to produce a clarified, substantially liquid extract selected from at least one of the group consisting of a substantially liquid extract of sugarcane, a substantially liquid extract of sugar beet, a substantially liquid extract of sweet sorghum, and palm syrup; and
(ii) reducing the carbohydrate content of the clarified, substantially liquid extract using a step of nanofiltration to provide:
a nanofiltration retentate; and
a nanofiltration permeate, wherein the nanofiltration permeate provides a consumable plant-based electrolyte composition; wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition comprises an electrolyte content of about 0.050% to 0.200% weight/volume potassium, about 0.000% to 0.050% weight/volume sodium and a carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume; and
(iii) selecting only the nanofiltration permeate and not any retentate; and
(iv) formulating the nanofiltration permeate into the drink product or beverage, concentrate, gel, powder, granule, capsule or tablet.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of formulating the nanofiltration permeate comprises the step of reverse osmosis filtration and/or evaporation to thereby provide a concentrate of the nanofiltration permeate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially liquid extract is the substantially liquid extract of sugarcane.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the substantially liquid extract of sugarcane is sugarcane juice.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the substantially liquid extract is the substantially liquid extract of sugar beet.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the substantially liquid extract of sugar beet is sugar beet juice.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanofiltration retentate is used for sugar production.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) has a carbohydrate content of less than about 2% weight/volume.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) comprises about 0.064% to 0.109% w/v potassium.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) comprises about 0.002% to 0.030% w/v sodium.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) comprises about 0.01% to 1.60% w/v organic acid.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) comprises about 0.11% to 0.21% w/v organic acid.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition provided in step (ii) comprises:
(a) about K + −0.064 to 0.109% w/v, Na + −0.002 to 0.030% w/v, Mg 2+ −0.002 to 0.010% w/v and about 0.5-2.0% w/v carbohydrates; or
(b) about K + −0.05 to 0.100% w/v, Na + −0.002 to 0.010% w/v, Mg 2+ −0.002 to 0.010% w/v and 0.5 to 6.0% w/v carbohydrates.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (iv) comprises formulating the nanofiltration permeate into a drink product.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of formulating the nanofiltration permeate further comprises adding a sweetening agent to the nanofiltration permeate.
16. A method of preparing a consumable plant-based electrolyte composition formulated as a drink product or beverage, a concentrate, a gel, a powder, a granule, a capsule or a tablet, wherein steps of the method comprise:
(i) using a step of microfiltration or ultrafiltration to clarify a substantially liquid extract selected from at least one of the group consisting of a substantially liquid extract of sugarcane, and a substantially liquid extract of sugar beet; and
(ii) reducing the carbohydrate content of the clarified, substantially liquid extract using a step of nanofiltration to provide:
a nanofiltration retentate which is used for sugar production; and
a nanofiltration permeate, wherein the nanofiltration permeate provides a consumable plant-based electrolyte composition; wherein the consumable plant-based electrolyte composition comprises an electrolyte content of about 0.050% to 0.200% weight/volume potassium, about 0.000% to 0.050% weight/volume sodium and a carbohydrate content less than about 6% weight/volume; and
(iii) selecting only the nanofiltration permeate and not any retentate; and
(iv) formulating the nanofiltration permeate into the drink product or beverage, concentrate, gel, powder, granule, capsule or tablet.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of formulating the nanofiltration permeate comprises the step of reverse osmosis filtration and/or evaporation to thereby provide a concentrate of the nanofiltration permeate.
18. The method of claim 16 , further including the step of purifying sugar from the nanofiltration retentate.