Preparation of an microencapsulated enteric release system

摘要

A method of microencapsulating an active ingredient with an enteric matrix, the method comprising: (a) agitating a combination of water, an enteric matrix material (preferably the enteric matrix material is selected from the group consisting of zein, shellac, and mixtures thereof), and an emulsifier (preferably selected from the group consisting of polysorbate, polyglycerol ester, sucrose stearate, sucrose esters, protein, lecithin and mixtures thereof), the combination at a pH (preferably between 3.0 to 6.5) that maintains complete dissolution of the enteric matrix material, and the combination substantially free of organic solvents; (b) adding a hydrophobic liquid (preferably selected from the group consisting of essential oil, alpha-pinene, para-cymene, linalool, thymol, linalyl ester, thymyl ester, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated lipids, beta-carotene, oil soluble vitamins and triglycerides such as soybean oil and canola oil) to the combination; (c) homogenizing the hydrophobic liquid and the combination to create a fine, stable emulsion; and (d) acid titrating the emulsion under agitated conditions in an amount effective to form a particulate precipitate, (preferably the acid is a food grade citric acid), and (e) optionally adding a surface oil remover to the particulate precipitate in an amount effective to reduce residual surface oil.