Granule with hydrated barrier material

Abstract

A granule having high stability and low dust is described. The granule includes a hydrated barrier material having moderate or high water activity. Also described are methods of producing the granules.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A granule having moderate to high water activity, the granule comprising:
 a seed;   an enzyme layer coated onto the seed; and,   a hydrated barrier salt coated onto the enzyme layer.   
     
     
         13 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the hydrated barrier salt layer has moderate or high water activity greater than 0.25. 
     
     
         14 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the hydrated barrier salt layer has moderate or high water activity greater than 0.30. 
     
     
         15 . The granule of claim  1  wherein the hydrated barrier salt layer has moderate or high water activity greater than 0.35. 
     
     
         16 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the hydrated barrier salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium citrate dihydrate and magnesium acetate tetahydrate. 
     
     
         17 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the hydrated barrier salt is magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. 
     
     
         18 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the enzyme is selected from the group consisting of protease, amylase, lipase, and cellulase. 
     
     
         19 . The granule of  claim 12  wherein the enzyme is a protease.