Delivery and Controlled Release of Encapsulated Lipophilic Nutrients

Abstract

A complex coacervate delivery system is provided which encapsulates lipophilic nutrients such as, for example, fish oils high in omega-3 fatty acids. The complex coacervate delivery system protects the lipophilic nutrient from degradation, e.g., oxidation and hydrolysis, and also reduces or eliminates the unpleasant taste and odor of the lipophilic nutrient. The complex coacervate delivery system upon ingestion is operative to substantially release the lipophilic nutrient in the lower gastrointestinal tract in a pH-controlled manner. The complex coacervate delivery system may be included in a food or beverage product having a pH value within the range of about 1.5 to about 5.0.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . A complex coacervate delivery system comprising an aqueous dispersion of complex coacervates;
 wherein the complex coacervates comprise:
 a single shell comprising at least one food-grade cationic polymer and at least one food-grade anionic polymer; and 
 a core comprising at least one lipophilic nutrient; 
   wherein complex coacervates in the complex coacervate delivery system release the lipophilic nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach where the pH. is substantially neutral or alkaline.   
     
     
         38 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , which is stable at at least one pH value within the range of 1.5 to 5.0. 
     
     
         39 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the lipophilic nutrient comprises at least one of fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins, vitamin. A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, tocotrienols, carotenoids, xanthophylls, lycopene, lutein, astaxanthin, zeazanthin, fat soluble nutraceuticals, phytosterols, stanols and esters thereof, Coenzyme Q10, ubiquinol, hydrophobic amino acids and peptides, essential oils and extracts. 
     
     
         40 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 39 , wherein the fatty acid comprises at least one of conjugated linolenic acid (CLA), one or more omega-3 fatty acid and one or more omega-6 fatty acids. 
     
     
         41 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 40 , wherein the omega-3 fatty acid comprises at least one of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 
     
     
         42 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 40 , wherein the omega-3 fatty acid comprises 55-65% EPA and 45-35% DHA. 
     
     
         43 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the core farther comprises at least one weighting agent. 
     
     
         44 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 43 , wherein the weighting agent comprises at least one of ester gum, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, and brominated vegetable oil. 
     
     
         45 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein at least a majority of the complex coacervates have a particle size within the range of 0.1 μm to 5.0 μm. 
     
     
         46 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the cationic polymer comprises at least one of dairy proteins, whey proteins, caseins and fractions thereof, gelatin, corn zein protein, bovine serum albumin, egg albumin, grain protein extracts, vegetable proteins, microbial proteins, legume proteins, proteins from tree nuts, proteins from ground nuts, and chitosan. 
     
     
         47 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the anionic polymer comprises at least one of pectin, carrageenan, alginate, xanthan gum, modified celluloses, carboxymethylcellulose, gum acacia, gum ghatti, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, guar gum, psyllium seed gum, quince seed gum, larch gum (arabinogalactans), stractan gum, agar, furcellaran, modified starches, gel Ian gum, and fucoidan. 
     
     
         48 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the cationic polymer comprises gelatin and the anionic polymer comprises gum acacia. 
     
     
         49 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the weight to weight ratio of cationic polymer to anionic polymer is from 10:1 to 1:10. 
     
     
         50 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the single shell is substantially non-crosslinked. 
     
     
         51 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the single shell is substantially non-gelled. 
     
     
         52 . The complex coacervate delivery system of  claim 37 , wherein the complex coacervates are substantially non-agglomerated. 
     
     
         53 . An aqueous dispersion of complex coacervates, wherein the complex coacervates comprise:
 a single shell comprising at least one food-grade cationic polymer and at least one food-grade anionic polymer; and   a core comprising at least one lipophilic nutrient;   wherein complex coacervates release the lipophilic nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach where the pH is substantially neutral or alkaline.   
     
     
         54 . A beverage product comprising a complex coacervate delivery system comprising an aqueous dispersion of complex coacervates, wherein the complex coacervates comprise:
 a single shell comprising at least one food-grade cationic polymer and at least one food-grade anionic polymer, and   a core comprising at least one lipophilic nutrient;   wherein the beverage product has a pH value within the range of 1.5 to 5.0; and   wherein complex coacervates in the complex coacervate delivery system release the lipophilic nutrient in the gastrointestinal tract below the stomach where the pH is substantially neutral or alkaline.   
     
     
         55 . The beverage product of  claim 54 , wherein the beverage product comprises a ready-to-drink beverage. 
     
     
         56 . The beverage product of  claim 54 , wherein the beverage product is selected from the group consisting of carbonated beverages, non-carbonated beverages, fountain beverages, liquid concentrates, fruit juices, fruit juice-flavored drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fortified/enhanced water drinks, soy drinks, vegetable drinks, grain-based drinks, malt beverages, fermented drinks, yogurt drinks, kefir, coffee beverages, tea beverages, dairy beverages, and mixtures thereof.