METHOD FOR DISPERSING PLANT STEROL FOR BEVERAGE AND A PLANT STEROL-DISPERSED BEVERAGE, OF WHICH PARTICLE SIZE IS NANOMETER-SCALE IN DISPERSED BEVERAGE

摘要

Disclosed are a method for dispersing plant sterol for beverage and a plant sterol-dispersed beverage, of which particle size is nanometer-scale in dispersed beverage. The dispersion of plant sterols starts with the admixing of plant sterol to at least one emulsifier selected from the group consisting of sucrose fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester and polyglycerine fatty acid ester, followed by melting the admixture by heating at 60 to 200° C. Afterwards, the molten substance is mixed with an aqueous beverage alone or an emulsifier-containing aqueous beverage in state of its own molten type or power type. This resulting mixture is stirred at a high speed to give a dispersion of plant sterols in an aqueous beverage. The beverage is superior in bioavailability, having good mouth feel, transparent aspect and no influence on the characteristic taste, flavor and color of the beverages.