Solid stable pyruvic acid/carbohydrate (-derivative) aggregates and hydrates therof and methods for their preparation

摘要

Solid, stable aggregates are formed from pyruvic acid or its salts in combination with a carbohydrate component, preferably maltodextrin. The constituents are present in a weight ratio of from 0.01 to 100 : 1 of pyruvate to carbohydrate. The carbohydrate component which is, in effect, a polyhydroxyaldehyde or polyhydroxyketone may be a sugar such as glucose or lactose, a polysaccharide, such as maltodextrin or a sugar alcohol such as used in anhydrous form, as hydrates or as moist products. The pyruvic acid is preferably used as anhydrous acid, in aqueous, alcoholic or organic solution or it may be generated in-situ as an intermediate, from the reaction of sodium pyruvate with an inorganic acid. The aggregates may be prepared by reacting the carbohydrate component, in the form of a solution, suspension or as a solid substance with a pyruvic acid or pyruvate solution at a temperature from -20 to +20 {C. Subsequent treatment of the mixture of pyruvic acid and carbohydrate produced may involve a liquid phase separation step, a thermal treatment, treatment with ultrasound or microwaves. The product obtained consists of an aggregate of pyruvic acid and carbohydrate aggregates which may be used for increasing endurance and strength in sport, for weight and body fat reduction, in the health sector, as a food supplement additive and as an animal feed.