Abstract: The present invention provides a finings formulation comprising pectin and methods of using pectin in a fining process to produce fined beverages, particularly beers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a finings formulation comprising pectin and methods of using pectin in a fining process to produce fined beverages, particularly beers.

Abstract: A new stable derivative of ascorbic acid, ascorbate 2-polyphosphate, is disclosed, together with a high-yield method of synthesis thereof. The method preferably includes steps of reacting an ascorbic acid such as L-ascorbic acid or a derivative thereof such as 5,6-O-isopropylidene-L-ascorbic acid with salts of metaphosphoric acid in an aqueous system and in the presence of sufficient base to maintain the pH of the reaction mixture at a level of at least above 9 to obtain 2-polyphosphorylation of the ascorbic acid. In particularly preferred forms, 1 M L-ascorbic acid is reacted in water with 1.5-3 equivalent of sodium or potassium trimetaphosphate at a temperature of 25.degree.-55.degree. C., and an alkali metal hydroxide such as potassium hydroxide is intermittently added to the reaction mixture as needed over a 1-10 hr. reaction period to maintain the pH thereof at a level of about 10.5-12 during the entire reaction.