Title of Invention

ACID MILK BEVERAGE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Abstract An acid milk beverage that without the use of conventionally employed various thickening stabilizers, excels in product quality stability, and that realizes good flavor and calorie suppression, being of light type; and a process for producing the same. There is provided an acid milk beverage characterized in that there are contained polydextrose and at least one glucide selected from the group (a) consisting of glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and galactooligosaccharide, and that the sum of these soluble solid contents is in the range of 12.0 to 17.0 mass%, containing substantially none of thickening stabilizers. Further, there is provided a process for producing the acid milk beverage.
Full Text Description
ACID MILK BEVERAGE AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
Technical Field
[0001]
The invention relates to an acid milk beverage having
an excellent product quality stability and a good taste
resulting in neither aggregation nor precipitation of milk
protein and, more particularly, it relates to an acid milk
beverage in which deterioration of quality specific to an acid
milk beverage such as aggregation and precipitation of milk
protein is prevented and a good taste is obtainable even without
the substantial use of thickening stabilizers.
Background Art
[0002]
Acid milk beverages of a type containing living microbes
such as fermented milk, lactic acid bacteria beverage and
yogurt have been widely drunk as healthy beverages having
physiological activities such as an effect of calming
intestinal disorders and an immunopotentiating action.
Further, since a culture liquid (a fermented milk base)
prepared by incubation of lactic acid bacteria or microbes
belonging to genus Bifidobacterium in a medium comprising a

milk material has a specific taste, it has been utilized in
various kinds of foods and beverages for the purpose of
imparting flavor, etc. following a sterilizing treatment, etc.
[0003]
Furthermore, in order to cope with the recent
diversifying preferences of consumers, various types of acid
milk beverages have been proposed in addition to the
conventional acid milk beverages and, among them, development
of an acid milk beverage of the so-called light type in which
calorie is suppressed has been briskly carried out. Usually,
such an acid milk beverage of a light type is produced in such
a manner that, for suppressing the calories, glucides which
are main calorie source are decreased or substituted with
hardly-digesting glucides. However, dispersibility of milk
protein usually becomes unstable under an acid condition and,
therefore, there are problems that precipitation and
aggregation upon storage, separation of whey, etc. are apt to
occur when glucides are decreased or modified.
[0004]
The above-mentioned precipitation, aggregation or whey
separation not only deteriorate the appearance significantly
but also affect the flavor upon drinking and further
deteriorate the refreshing feel and, therefore, various
methods have been proposed to improve these problems. To be
more specific, there have been proposals for a method where

a homogenizing treatment is applied with a purpose of improving
the product quality stability of an acid milk beverage (Patent
Document 1) and a method where one of thickening stabilizers
such as pectin, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), soybean
polysaccharide, gellan gum, locust bean gum, tamarind gum or
propylene glycol alginate or two or more thereof is/are used
together (Patent Documents 2 to 4).
[0005]
As such, it is the current status that, in the production
of acid milk beverage of a light type, various kinds of
thickening stabilizers are commonly used.
[0006]
Patent Document 1: JP-A-05-000043
Patent Document 2: JP-A-54-525754
Patent Document 3: JP-A-59-151837
Patent Document 4: JP-A-09-266779
Disclosure of the Invention
Problems that the Invention is to Solve
[0007]
However, in an acid milk beverage where not only
stability of product quality but also flavor are to be regarded
as important, there have been some cases where specific viscous
feeling inherent to said thickening stabilizer gives
unfavorable texture in terms of flavor when a thickening

stabilizer is used as having been done conventionally.
Further, pectin and CMC which have been commonly and frequently
used as thickening stabilizers have a property of becoming gel
in a low pH region and their utilization to an acid milk beverage
is not always an effective means.
[0008]
Furthermore, in an acid milk beverage of the so-called
light type in which calorie is suppressed, there is a tendency
that the flavor of both reasonable sweet taste and refreshing
texture is favored and, therefore, use of a thickening
stabilizer or the like giving viscous feeing is not always
preferred.
[0009]
Accordingly, the problem that the invention is to solve
is to provide an acid milk beverage of a light type where,
without the use of conventionally used various kinds of
thickening stabilizers, the product quality stability is
excellent, flavor is good and calorie is suppressed and also
to provide a process for producing the same.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0010]
The present inventors have carried out intensive
investigations for preparing a low-calorie acid milk beverage
having an excellent product quality stability without the use

of a thickening stabilizer and, as a result, they have found
that, when polydextrose and a specific glucide are compounded
with an acid milk beverage so as to satisfy the predetermined
condition, it is now possible to prepare a good-flavored acid
milk beverage having the same product quality stability as in
the case of the use of a thickening stabilizer whereupon the
invention has been achieved.
[0011]
Thus, the invention relates to an acid milk beverage,
characterized in that, the beverage contains polydextrose and
at least one glucide selected from the group consisting of (a)
glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol,
sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and
galacto-oligosaccharide, wherein the total amount of those
soluble solids is 12.0% by mass to 17.0% by mass and
substantially no thickening stabilizer is contained therein.
[0012]
The invention also relates to a process for producing
an acid milk beverage, characterized in that, polydextrose and
at least one glucide selected from the group (a) glucose,
fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol, sorbitol,
xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and
galacto-oligosaccharide are compounded with an acid milk
beverage base so that the total amount of those soluble solids
is made 12.0% by mass to 17.0% by mass.

Advantages of the Invention
[0013]
Polydextrose and various glucides used in the invention
are food materials which have been commonly used as sweeteners
and, therefore, they are excellent in safety and, when they
are used merely in such a manner of satisfying the predetermined
condition, stability of milk protein under an acidic condition
is able to be easily enhanced without the use of various
thickening stabilizers which are apt to affect flavor and
palatability whereby it is now possible to produce an acid milk
beverage having an excellent product quality stability and a
good flavor.
[0014]
Thus, according to the present invention, various
thickening stabilizers need not be used for the purpose of the
product quality stability, whereby advantages such as
reduction in the product cost and improvement in the working
efficiency can be expected.
Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0015]
Polydextrose to be compounded with the acid milk beverage
of the invention is a polysaccharide produced by polymerization
of glucose, sorbitol and citric acid at high temperature and
under high pressure and is a mixture ranging from a

monosaccharide to those where molecular weights are up to
scores of thousands. Commercially available polydextrose is
able to be used and that having a trade name "Litesse
(trademark)" (manufactured by Danisco Cultor; average
molecular weight: 1,200) may be exemplified.
[0016]
The glucide compounded with the acid milk beverage of
the invention together with the above polydextrose being
selected from the group (a) (hereinafter, it may be referred
to as "the glucide (a)") is at least one member selected from
the group consisting of glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose,
lactose, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol,
palatinose and galacto-oligosaccharide and is a glucide having
a relatively low (average) molecular weight among the glucides
which are widely utilized for foods and drinks. Among the above,
a significant effect for suppression of aggregation and
precipitation of milk protein is available particularly by the
use of sugar whereby such a use is preferred. When two or more
glucides are used together as the glucide (a), the use of sugar
as at least one of them is preferred in view of the product
quality stability in the acid milk beverage.
[0017]
When the molecular weight of the glucide used in the
invention becomes relatively high, an effect of suppression
of aggregation and precipitation of milk protein in the acid

milk beverage is not sufficiently achieved. Thus, when the
above polydextrose which is a polysaccharide is solely used
in the invention, it is not possible to suppress precipitation
and aggregation of milk protein in the acid milk beverage.
Although the reason why the resulting effect is different
depending upon the type of the glucide is not clear, it is likely
that the difference in molecular structure of each glucide has
a different steric influence on milk protein particles in the
acid milk beverage.
[0018]
In the invention, it is preferred to set the using amount
of polydextrose and the glucide (a) at 12.0% by mass to 17.0%
by mass or, preferably, 13.5% by mass to 17.0% by mass in terms
of a soluble solid derived from the glucide. Particularly for
the purpose of enhancing the product quality stability of the
resulting acid milk beverage, it is preferred that the using
amount of the glucide other than polydextrose or, in other words,
the glucide (a) having a relatively low molecular weight is
set at not less than 5.0% by mass or, preferably, not less than
6.0% by mass. As a result, it is possible to prepare an acid
milk beverage having sufficient product quality stability and
good flavor without substantial use of a thickening stabilizer.
It is not preferred when the soluble solid is less than 12.0%
by mass since a sufficient dispersion stability of milk protein
can not be obtained. On the other hand, it is not preferred

when the above is more than 17.0% by mass since the texture
becomes poor and sufficient favorite taste can not be obtained.
[0019]
With regard to an acid milk beverage base with which the
above polydextrose and glucide (a) are compounded, there may
be utilized liquid milk derived from animals and plants such
as cow's milk, goat's milk, sheep's milk and soybean milk; skim
milk, total milk powder or milk powder; fermented milk prepared
by such a manner that milk reduced from concentrated milk either
as it is or after diluting with water is subjected to a
fermentation treatment using microbes such as lactic acid
bacteria or bacteria of genus Bifidobacterium; beverage of a
living microbe type such as milk product lactic acid bacteria
beverage; milk-type beverage containing a fermented milk
subjected to sterilization treatment; kefir; and a product
which is made acidic by addition of an acid component such as
organic acid or fruit juice to milk components.
[0020]
With regard to the microbe used for the production of
the acid milk beverage as mentioned above when it is conducted
by means of microbial fermentation, there is no particular
limitation for the microbe used for the production so far as
it is lactic acid bacteria or bacteria belong to genus
Bifidobacterium being commonly used for the manufacture of food
and its examples are bacteria belonging to genus Lactobacillus

such as L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. helveticus, L. gasseri,
L. fermentum, L. salivarius, L. yugulti, L. delbrueckii subsp.
vulgaris and L. johnsonii; bacteria belonging to genus
Streptococcus such as S. thermophilus; bacteria belonging to
genus Lactococcus such as L. lactis subsp. lactis, L. lactis
subsp. cremoris, L. plantalum and L. raffinolactis; bacteria
belonging to genus Enterococcus such as E. faecalis and E.
faecium; and bacteria belonging to genus Bifidobacterium such
as B. breve, B. longum, B. infantis, B. adolescentis, B. bifidum,
B. catenulatum, B. pseudocatenulatum, B. angulatum, B. lactis
and B. animalis. The lactic acid bacteria and bacteria
belonging to genus Bifidobacterium as such may be used either
solely or two or more thereof may be used in combination.
[0021]
In the above microbial fermentation, it is also possible,
in addition to the lactic acid bacteria and bacteria belonging
to genus Bifidobacterium, to use other microbes such as yeasts
of genus Saccharomyces, Candida, Rhodotorula, Pichia,
Schizosaccharomyces, Torula and Zygosaccharomyces; and
filamentous fungi of genus Aspergillus, Penicillium, Eurotium,
Monascus, Mucor, Neurospora and Rhyzopus; etc. together
therewith.
[0022]
With regard to the conditions and the fermentation
methods for acting the above microbes on the material milk,


those which are conventionally used for the manufacture of
fermented milk may be used and there is no particular limitation
therefor. For example, with regard to the fermentation
condition, fermentation may be conducted at the temperature
of 30 to 40°C until pH reaches 3.0 to 4.0 while, with regard
to the fermentation method, a method selected from stationary
fermentation, stirring fermentation, shaking fermentation,
aerating fermentation, etc. suitable for the microbe used for
the fermentation may be used.
[0023]
In the invention, fermented milk prepared by a microbial
fermentation in a stationary state is used whereby an effect
of product quality stability can be significantly achieved even
if substantially no stabilizer is used provided that
polydextrose and the glucide (a) are used together as mentioned
later.
[0024]
On the other hand, an acid component may be added to a
milk material and the pH is adjusted to 3.0 to 4.0 when the
above acid milk beverage is produced using an acid component.
Examples of the substance which is able to be used as an acid
component are lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic
acid, acetic acid, etc. as well as fruit juice of lemon,
grapefruit, lime, orange, strawberry, blueberry, peach, grape,
apple, etc. Two or more thereof may be used in combination.


[0025]
A water-soluble calcium source which is other than the
calcium derived from milk materials may be also compounded with
the acid milk beverage of the invention as an optional component.
Examples of the water-soluble calcium source are calcium
lactate, calcium gluconate, calcium chloride and calcium
phosphate which are approved as food additives. Such a source
is able to be used without any particular limitation. Amount
of the calcium source as such in the acid milk beverage of the
invention is about 0.01% by mass to 0.06% by mass or, preferably,
0.01% by mass to 0.05% by mass in terms of the amount of calcium.
[0026]
It has been well known that, when a calcium source is
compounded in an acid milk beverage, the added calcium source
is usually aggregated with the milk protein and that is a cause
of deterioration of quality of the product. In order to improve
that, various proposals have been made already for a technique
of compounding a calcium source with an acid milk beverage.
Specific examples thereof are a method where pectin is used
in an acid milk beverage containing calcium (JP-A-08-056567,
JP-A-08-112058 and JP-A-08-112059) and a method where soybean
diet fiber (soybean polysaccharide) is used therein
(JP-A-10-004876 and JP-A-2004-283182).
[0027]
However, in the prior art as such, deterioration of the


product quality by addition of a calcium source in an acid milk
beverage is prevented by compounding of a thickening stabilizer
such as pectin or soybean dietary fiber so that aggregation
of milk protein is positively prevented. This is clearly
different from the acid milk beverage of the invention where,
even when a calcium source is compounded, an excellent effect
of the product quality stability can be achieved with the use
of substantially no thickening stabilizer whereby the acid milk
beverage of the invention is very useful as compared with the
conventional art.
[0028]
Production of the acid milk beverage of the invention
may be carried out in accordance with the conventional process
for the production of acid milk beverages except that the
above-mentioned polydextrose, glucide (a) and, if necessary,
a calcium source are compounded with an acid milk beverage which
is a base. There is no particular limitation for the
compounding time and compounding method of polydextrose,
glucide (a) and calcium source but they may be added in any
stage of the production process for an acid milk beverage which
is a base. For example, a syrup containing predetermined
amounts of polydextrose, glucide and a calcium source is
prepared and is compounded with a solution prepared by the
action of a microbe on a milk material. Preparation of the
syrup may be carried out according to a conventional method.


For example, polydextrose, glucide, etc. are dissolved in water
heated at not lower than 70°C and subjected to plate
sterilization at 112°C for 10 seconds.
[0029]
Besides the above polydextrose, glucide (a) and calcium
source, it is also possible to compound a food material which
is usually compounded with various food/beverage within such
an extent that the effect achieved by the invention is not
deteriorated. Examples of the food material as such are a
highly sweet sweetener such as aspartame, thaumatin, sucralose,
acesulfame K and stevia; an emulsifier such as sugar fatty acid
ester, glycerol fatty acid ester, polyglycerol fatty acid ester,
sorbitan fatty acid ester and lecithin; milk fat such as cream,
butter and sour cream; an acidulant such as citric acid, lactic
acid, acetic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and gluconic acid;
vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin B substances, vitamin C
and vitamin E substances; minerals such as magnesium, zinc,
iron and manganese; and flavor of yogurt type, berry type,
orange type, Chinese quince type, perilla type, citrus type,
apple type, mint type, grape type, apricot type, pear, custard
cream, peach, melon, banana, tropical, herb type, black tea
and coffee type.
[0030]
In the acid milk beverage which is prepared as such, it
is now possible to significantly prevent and improve the


quality deterioration such as aggregation and precipitation
of milk protein without the use of a thickening stabilizer such
as pectin and soybean dietary fiber even when its calorie is
reduced to an extent of, for example, not higher than 50
Kcal/100 ml or, preferably, from 20 Kcal/100 ml to 50 Kcal/100
ml.
Examples
[0031]
The invention will now be illustrated in more detail by
way of the following Test Examples and Examples although the
invention is not restricted by those examples at all.
[0032]
Test Example 1
Production of acid milk beverages:
An aqueous solution in which 14.9% by mass of skim milk
and 3.5% by mass of glucose were dissolved was subjected to
plate sterilization at 121°C for 3 seconds and inoculated with
a Lactobacillus casei starter and incubation was conducted
until the pH reached 3. 6 followed by cooling to give a fermented
product. After that, the fermented product was homogenized
at 15 MPa and 23 parts by weight thereof was mixed with 77 parts
by weight of each of the syrups shown in Table 1 to give the
test products 1 to 3. The syrups were prepared by dissolving
the components shown in Table 1 in water, subjecting to plate



sterilization at 112°C for 10 seconds and cooling.
[0033]
Amount of the PD used was calculated on the basis of solid;
the unit is in % by mass.
[0034]
Appearance, precipitation, separation of whey and flavor
of the test products 1 to 3 immediately after manufacture and
also after storing at 10°C for 14 days were evaluated
respectively, according to the following criteria . The result
is shown in Table 2.
[0035]

(Evaluation) (Content)
o: no aggregation, etc.
∆: some aggregation
x: notable aggregation
[0036]


(Evaluation) (Content)
-: no precipitation
+: slight precipitation but no
significant problem
+: notable precipitation
[0037]

(Evaluation) (Content)
o: good
o∆: fair
∆: normal
∆x: poor
x: bad
[0038]



[0039]
It will be apparent from the result of Table 2 that, in
the test product 1 where only polydextrose (PD) was contained,
both flavor and properties were bad and, in the test products
2 and 3 where a thickening stabilizer such as pectin or
carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was compounded, although an
improving effect to properties was noted, texture
(palatability and feel on the tongue) tended to be bad.
[0040]
Example 1
Production of acid milk beverages (1):
An aqueous solution in which 14.9% by mass of skim milk

and 3.5% by mass of glucose were dissolved was subjected to
plate sterilization at 121°C for 3 seconds and inoculated with
a Lactobacillus casei starter and incubation was conducted
until the pH reached 3.6 followed by cooling to give a fermented
product. After that, the fermented product was homogenized
at 15 MPa and 23 parts by weight thereof was mixed with 77 parts
by weight of each of the syrups which were prepared separately
to give the products 1 to 12 of the invention and the comparative
products 1 and 2. The syrups were prepared by dissolving the
components shown in Table 3 in water, subjecting to plate
sterilization at 112°C for 10 seconds and cooling.
[0041]




[0042]
Appearance, precipitation, separation of whey
and flavor of the products 1 to 12 of the invention and
the comparative products 1 and 2 immediately after
manufacture and after storing at 10°C for 14 days were
evaluated respectively, according to the criteria
mentioned in Test Example 1. The result is shown in
Table 4.
[0043]





[0044]
It is apparent from the result of Table 4 that, in the
acid milk beverages prepared by the combined use of
polydextrose (PD) and various glucides, the same product
quality stabilization effect as in the case of Comparative
Product 1 where pectin was used as a thickening stabilizer was
obtained and the flavor was also good. In the Comparative
Product 2 where a hardly-digestible dextrin was used as a
polysaccharide, the same product quality stabilization effect
as in the use of polydextrose was not obtained even when
glucides are used together. Among the glucides used in
combination with polydextrose, sugar was found to be most
useful.
[0045]
Example 2
Production of acid milk beverages (2):
An aqueous solution in which 14.9% by mass of skim milk
and 3.5% by mass of glucose were dissolved was subjected to
plate sterilization at 121°C for 3 seconds and inoculated with
a Lactobacillus casei starter and incubation was conducted
until the pH reached 3. 6 followed by cooling to give a fermented
product. After that, the fermented product was homogenized
at 15 MPa and 23 parts by weight thereof was mixed with 77 parts
by weight of each of the syrups which were prepared separately
in the compositions shown in Table 5 to give the products 1


to 6. The syrups were prepared by dissolving the components
in water, subjecting to plate sterilization at 112°C for 10
seconds and cooling.
[0046]

basis of solids; the unit was % by mass.
[0047]
Appearance, precipitation, separation of whey and flavor
of the products 1 to 6 immediately after manufacture and after
storing at 10°C for 14 days were evaluated respectively,
according to the criteria mentioned in Test Example 1. The
result is shown in Table 6.
[0048]


[0049]
It is apparent from the result of Table 6 that, in the
acid milk beverages prepared by the combined use of
polydextrose and various glucides, there was a tendency that,
as compared with the products 3 to 6 where the soluble solid
derived from the glucides except polydextrose was not less than
5.0% by mass, much precipitation and separation of whey were
noted and stability was inferior when said soluble solid was
less than 5.0% by mass as in the case of the products 1 and
2 even if the soluble solid derived from the glucides therein
was in the same amount. In the product 6 where no highly sweet
sweetener was used, acidity and sweetness were unbalanced and

the flavor was inferior.
[0050]
Example 3
Production of acid milk beverages (3):
An aqueous solution in which 14.9% by mass of skim milk
and 3.5% by mass of glucose were dissolved was subjected to
plate sterilization at 121°C for 3 seconds and inoculated with
a Lactobacillus casei starter and incubation was conducted
until the pH reached 3.6 followed by cooling to give a fermented
product. After that, the fermented product was homogenized
at 15 MPa and 23 parts by weight thereof was mixed with 77 parts
by weight of each of the syrups which were prepared according
to the compositions of Table 7 separately to give the products
7 to 14 where the amounts of the soluble solid were different.
The syrups were prepared by dissolving the components in water,
subjecting to plate sterilization at 112°C for 10 seconds and
cooling.

basis of solids; unit was % by mass.
[0051]

[0052]
Appearance, precipitation, separation of whey
and flavor of the products 7 to 14 immediately after
manufacture and after storing at 10°C for 14 days were
evaluated respectively, according to the criteria
mentioned in Test Example 1. The result is shown in
Table 8.
[0053]



[0054]
It is apparent from the result of Table 8 that, in the
acid milk beverages prepared by the combined use of
polydextrose and various glucides, there was a tendency of much
precipitation and separation of whey and stability was inferior
when the total amount of the soluble solid derived from the
glucides except polydextrose was less than 12.0% by mass as
in the case of the products 7 and 8 even if the soluble solid
derived from the glucides except polydextrose therein was in
the same amount. There was also a tendency that, when the total
amount of the soluble solid is not less than 18.0% by mass as
in the case of the products 13 and 14, although there is no
problem in terms of the product quality stability, feeling upon
drinking is heavy resulting in a flavor being different from
the image of a low-calorie product whereby the palate was
inferior.
[0055]
Example 4
Production of acid milk beverages (4):
An aqueous solution in which 14.9% by mass of skim milk
and 3.5% by mass of glucose were dissolved was subjected to
plate sterilization at 121°C for 3 seconds and inoculated with
a Lactobacillus casei starter and incubation was conducted
until the pH reached 3.6 followed by cooling to give a fermented
product. After that, the fermented product was homogenized

(15 MPa) and 23 parts by weight thereof was mixed with 77 parts
by weight of each of the syrups which were prepared according to
the compositions of Table 9 separately to give the products 15
to 23 where the amounts of the soluble solid were different.
The syrups were prepared by dissolving the components in water,
subjecting to plate sterilization at 112°C for 10 seconds and
cooling.
[0056]

the basis of solids; unit was % by mass.
[0057]
Appearance, precipitation, separation of whey and
flavor of the products 15 to 23 being immediately after
manufacture and also after storing at 10°C for 14 days were
evaluated according to the criteria mentioned in Test
Example 1. The result is shown in Table 10.
[0058]



[0059] It is apparent from the result of Table 10 that,
in the acid milk beverages prepared by the combined use
of polydextrose (PD) and various glucides, there was a
tendency that stability was significantly deteriorated
by addition of water-soluble calcium when the soluble
solid derived from the glucides except polydextrose was
less than 5.0% by mass as in the case of the products 15
to 17 even if the total amount of the soluble solid
derived from the glucides except polydextrose therein
was in the same amount while, when the soluble solid
derived from the glucides except polydextrose was not
less than 5.0% by mass as in the case of the products 18
to 23, lowering in stability by addition of calcium was
suppressed and, further, if the added amount of calcium
was by 0.06% by mass, commercial value was not
deteriorated even after the storage.
Industrial Applicability
[0060]In the acid milk beverage of the invention,
polydextrose and specific glucides are contained therein
for satisfying the predetermined conditions whereupon it
is now possible to easily produce an acid milk beverage
of a low-calorie type having a good flavor even when
various thickening stabilizers which are usually used
for achieving the stabilization of product quality of an
acid milk beverage are not substantially contained.

Claims
[1] An acid milk beverage comprising, polydextrose and at
least one glucide selected from the group consisting of(a)
glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose, erythritol,
sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose and
galacto-oligosaccharide, wherein the total amount of those
soluble solids is 12.0% by mass to 17.0% by mass and
substantially no thickening stabilizer is contained therein.
[2] The acid milk beverage according to claim 1, wherein the
beverage contains at least one glucide selected from the group
(a) in an amount of not less than 5.0% by mass.
[3] The acid milk beverage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
the beverage further contains a water-soluble calcium salt
other than the calcium derived from a milk material.
[4] The acid milk beverage according to any of claims 1 to
3, wherein the beverage contains a water-soluble calcium salt
other than the calcium derived from a milk material in an amount
of 0.01% by mass to 0.05% by mass as an amount of calcium.
[5] The acid milk beverage according to any of claims 1 to
4, wherein the calorie is not more than 50 Kcal/100 ml.
[6] A process for producing an acid milk beverage comprising,
compounding polydextrose and at least one glucide selected from
the group consisting of (a) glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose,
maltose, erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol,

palatinose and galacto-oligosaccharide with an acid milk
beverage base so that the total amount of those soluble solids
is made 12.0% by mass to 17.0% by mass.
[7 ] The process for producing an acid milk beverage according
to claim 6, wherein at least one glucide selected from the group
(a) is compounded in an amount of not less than 5.0% by mass.

An acid milk beverage that without the use of
conventionally employed various thickening stabilizers,
excels in product quality stability, and that realizes good
flavor and calorie suppression, being of light type; and a
process for producing the same. There is provided an acid milk
beverage characterized in that there are contained
polydextrose and at least one glucide selected from the group
(a) consisting of glucose, fructose, sugar, trehalose, maltose,
erythritol, sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, palatinose
and galactooligosaccharide, and that the sum of these soluble
solid contents is in the range of 12.0 to 17.0 mass%, containing
substantially none of thickening stabilizers. Further, there
is provided a process for producing the acid milk beverage.

Documents:

http://ipindiaonline.gov.in/patentsearch/GrantedSearch/viewdoc.aspx?id=rSdbhaUbtSAKqUC1dfiqxw==&loc=wDBSZCsAt7zoiVrqcFJsRw==


Patent Number 269239
Indian Patent Application Number 1967/KOLNP/2008
PG Journal Number 42/2015
Publication Date 16-Oct-2015
Grant Date 12-Oct-2015
Date of Filing 15-May-2008
Name of Patentee KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA
Applicant Address 1-19 HIGASHI-SHINBASHI 1-CHOME MINATO-KU, TOKYO
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 NAKANO MASATOSHI C/O KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA 1-19, HIGASHI-SHINBASHI 1-CHOME, MINATO-KU, TOKYO -105-8660
2 KOBAYASHI YUKIKO C/O KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA 1-19, HIGASHI-SHINBASHI 1-CHOME, MINATO-KU, TOKYO -105-8660
3 AKAHOSHI RYOICHI C/O KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA 1-19, HIGASHI-SHINBASHI 1-CHOME, MINATO-KU, TOKYO -105-8660
4 MATSUI AKIHISA C/O KABUSHIKI KAISHA YAKULT HONSHA 1-19, HIGASHI-SHINBASHI 1-CHOME, MINATO-KU, TOKYO -105-8660
PCT International Classification Number A23C 9/152,A23L 2/38
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP2006/320897
PCT International Filing date 2006-10-20
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2005-326977 2005-11-11 Japan