Abstract: This invention is directed to the use of triglycerides containing fatty ester moieties that include arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in enteral nutritionals or nutritional supplements. These triglycerides are derived from lipid mixtures which have high levels of sterols and phosphorous. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an infant or enteral nutritional, or nutritional supplement, that comprises a lipid source derived from egg yolk. The lipid source derived from egg yolk is prepared by transesterification or hydrolysis, subjecting the mixture to distillation, and esterification with glycerin to result in a triglyceride containing the desired fatty acids of AA and DHA and little or no sterols and phosphorus.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the isolation of fatty acids and fatty acid esters from complex naturally occurring mixtures which contain sterols, triglycerides and phospholipids.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added.

Abstract: Fatty acid esters such as those containing arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derived from lipid mixtures are prepared with reduced levels of sterols and phosphorus. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises extracting lipids from egg with methanol; separating lipids including sterols from insoluble egg components; submitting the methanolic solution of lipids to transesterification and subsequent neutralization to convert the lipids to methyl esters of said free fatty acids together with sterols; separating the said sterols and esters from an aqueous phase including phosphorus compounds formed in the transesterification; subjecting the said fatty acid esters and sterols to distillation to separate sterols from the fatty acid esters; and subjecting the said esters to transesterification in the presence of glycerol to produce triglycerides of said esters thereof including that of AA and DHA wherein the resulting triglycerides contain reduced quantities of sterols and phosphorus.

Abstract: Liquid beverages for supplementation of dietary calcium are disclosed. The beverages of this invention use calcium glycerophosphate as the source of calcium, acidulants, vitamin C and optionally, vitamin D.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply to a feeding tube delivering the modified liquid enteral nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. At least one beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form in a useful, dose unit, amount, is disposed within a formulation chamber so as to be taken up in a liquid enteral nutritional product traversing the formulation chamber while feeding the modified nutritional product into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The beneficial additive(s) are selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents, or mixtures thereof, each in a dosage form that is dispersible in the medium of the liquid enteral nutritional product in less than two hours.

Abstract: An apparatus is useful for dye marking a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A formulation chamber, such as a drip chamber, is connectable to the supply container. At least one sustained release reservoir containing a physiologically acceptable marker dye is positioned within the formulation chamber, or if not, is included as part of a kit. The sustained release reservoir may be in the form of a coated tablet, osmotically driven device, coated capsule, microencapsulated microspheres, agglomerated molecular sieving material, or chopped hollow fibers having permeable walls. A liquid communication means connects the formulation chamber to the feeding tube of a patient. The marker dye may be a colorant dye or a fluorescing dye or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method for dye marking a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient includes the steps of: (1) providing apparatus such as a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, connectable to the supply container, with at least one sustained release reservoir containing a physiologically acceptable and dispersible marker dye positioned within the formulation chamber, and, liquid communication means connecting the formulation chamber to the feeding tube of a patient; (2) providing a supply container containing the nutritional product; (3) connecting the formulation chamber to the supply container and the liquid commmunication means to the feeding tube; and (4) flowing the dye-marked nutritional product through the apparatus and into the feeding tube.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply container to a feeding tube delivering the nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. During enteral tube feeding the nutritional product passes through a formulation chamber, e.g., a drip chamber, having located therein at least one controlled release dosage form unit containing at least one beneficial agent. The beneficial agent may be selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, and any such together with a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different additional beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form. Controlled release dosage forms may be of a conventional sustained release type or an osmotically driven delivery device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product during delivery thereof from a supply thereof, such as a hangable container, to a feeding tube delivering the liquid enteral nutritional product to the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. The apparatus has at least one formulation chamber, such as a drip chamber, with at least one controlled release dosage form unit in the form of a coated tablet, osmotically driven device, coated capsule, microencapsulated microspheres, agglomerated molecular sieving type material, or a quantity of fine hollow permeable fibers located therein. The controlled release dosage form unit or units contain at least one beneficial agent selected from nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, or diagnostic agents or mixtures thereof, to any of which a physiologically acceptable marker dye in controlled release dosage form and/or the same or different beneficial agent not in controlled release dosage form may be added.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added.

Abstract: A calcium supplement in solid form contains calcium glycerophosphate, vitamin D and vitamin C.

Abstract: A method of making a stable liquid nutritional product is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a protein solution, a carbohydrate solution, and an oil blend, adding a small amount of a nutritional ingredient containing soy polysaccharide as a source of dietary fiber to one of these, combining appropriate quantities of these solutions, and heat processing and microfluidizing the combined solution. The amount of the nutritional ingredient containing soy polysaccharide as a source of dietary fiber is preferably less than 6,500 ppm, and is most preferably between 3,000 and 6,000 ppm of the final product.

Abstract: A method is provided for inhibiting rotavirus infection of human cells by treating the rotavirus with a carrageenan. The most effective agent in inhibiting cellular rotavirus infection is lambda-carrageenan, which may be formulated in a liquid and ingested enterally. A composition containing lambda-carrageenan is an aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A protein containing nutritional supplement that contains from 1 to 10% by weight of whey protein isolate, at least one source of carbohydrate, vitamins, trace minerals and ultra trace minerals and ultra trace minerals. The pH of the liquid nutritional supplement is from about 2.8 to about 3.3 and is essentially devoid of added macro-nutrients and fat. A supplement which is clear and low in viscosity, is produced by preparing (1) an acidified aqueous solution of whey protein isolate having a pH of about 2.8 to about 3.3 and (2) an aqueous solution of carbohydrate; and thereafter combining the two solutions.