# US 10,440,983 B2 · Microcapsules comprising lutein or lutein ester > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,440,983 B2 - Document ID: US10440983B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/549,028 - Filed: 2016-02-08 - Published: 2018-02-01 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-06 - Assignees: BASF SE - Applicants: BASF SE - Inventors: Nina Musaeus; Inge-Lise Krylbo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10440983B2 ## CPC - A23P 10/30: Encapsulation of particles, e.g. foodstuff additives - A23L 5/44: using carotenoids or xanthophylls - A23L 29/284: {Gelatin; Collagen} - A23L 33/12: Fatty acids or derivatives thereof - A23L 33/155: Vitamins A or D - A61K 9/146: {with organic macromolecular compounds} - A61K 9/1676: {having a drug-free core with discrete complete coating layer containing drug (adsorbates of liquid drug formulations on inert powders without simultaneous granulation step A61K9/141; with further drug-free outer coating A61K9/5078; drug conjugated to non-active particles A61K47/6921)} - A61K 9/5057: {Gelatin} - A61K 9/5063: {Compounds of unknown constitution, e.g. material from plants or animals (oils, fats, waxes, shellac A61K9/5015)} - A61K 31/015: carbocyclic - A61K 31/047: having two or more hydroxy groups, e.g. sorbitol - A61K 31/07: Retinol compounds, e.g. vitamin A (retinoic acids A61K31/203) - A61K 31/23: of acids having a carboxyl group bound to a chain of seven or more carbon atoms - A61P 3/02: Nutrients, e.g. vitamins, minerals - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - A23V 2250/5432: Gelatine - A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS - A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - A61P: SPECIFIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITY OF CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS OR MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract The invention relates to a microcapsule comprising at least one active substance selected from lutein and lutein esters embedded in a matrix comprising fish gelatine and optionally one or more other matrix components, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 0.5 to 25% of total weight of the microcapsule, and which microcapsule does not comprise any added emulsifier. The invention further relates to a process of preparing the microcapsule as well as uses and products comprising the microcapsule. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A microcapsule comprising at least one active substance selected from lutein and lutein esters embedded in a matrix comprising a low fish bloom gelatin having a strength of 80 bloom or less as the sole agent with dispersing properties present, and optionally one or more other matrix components, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 0.5 to 25% of total weight of the microcapsule, and which microcapsule does not comprise any added emulsifier. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 1 to 20% of total weight of the microcapsule. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claims 1, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 3 to 15% of total weight of the microcapsule. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 4 to 13% of total weight of the microcapsule. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 5 to 10% of total weight of the microcapsule. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1 further comprising at least one antioxidant and/or plasticizer. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein said fish gelatin is a fish gelatine having a strength of 30 bloom or less. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein said fish gelatin is a fish gelatine having a strength of zero bloom. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1 prepared from an emulsion of melted or dissolved lutein or lutein ester concentrate in an aqueous solution of said fish gelatine in the absence of an emulsifier, wherein said lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s) is optionally melted or dissolved in an edible oil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A process of preparing the microcapsule according to claim 1, which process comprises the steps of melting or dissolving lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s), providing an aqueous solution of said fish gelatine having a strength of 80bloom or less as the sole agent with dispersing properties present, and said optionally other matrix components, mixing said aqueous solution and said melted or dissolved lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s), homogenizing the resulting preparation without addition of an emulsifier, finely dividing and drying the mixture thus obtained to prepare a mass of particles each containing lutein or lutein ester(s) embedded in said fish gelatine. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The process according to claim 10, wherein the lutein ester concentrate(s) is melted or dissolved in edible oil, selected from the group consisting of sunflower oil, olive oil, cotton seed oil, safflower oil, MCT oil, palm oil and hydrogenated palm oil. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The process according to claim 10, wherein said aqueous solution of fish gelatin is added to said melted or dissolved lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s) before homogenization. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The process according to claim 10, wherein said melted or dissolved lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s) is added to said aqueous solution of fish gelatine before homogenization. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The process according to claim 10, comprising a further step of homogenization. ### Claim 15 A microcapsule comprising at least one active substance selected from lutein and lutein esters embedded in a matrix comprising low boom fish gelatine having a strength of 80 bloom or less as the sole agent with dispersing properties present, and optionally one or more other matrix components, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 0.5 to 25% of total weight of the microcapsule, and which microcapsule does not comprise any added emulsifier obtainable by a process comprising the steps of melting or dissolving lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s), providing an aqueous solution of said low bloom fish gelatine and said optionally other matrix components, mixing said aqueous solution and said melted or dissolved lutein or lutein ester concentrate(s), homogenizing the resulting preparation without addition of an emulsifier, finely dividing and drying the mixture thus obtained to prepare a mass of particles each containing lutein or lutein ester(s) embedded in said fish gelatine. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A product comprising the microcapsule according to claim 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The product according to claim 16, wherein the product is a tablet, a food, a food supplement, a beverage, a dairy, a pharmaceutical or veterinary product, a feed or feed supplement, a personal care products or a household product. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The product according to claim 16, wherein said product being selected from the group consisting of tablet, dairy and beverage and said fish gelatine is present and has a strength of 30 bloom or less. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The microcapsule according to claim 1, wherein said fish gelatin is a fish gelatine having a strength of 50 bloom or less. ### Claim 20 A microcapsule consisting essentially of at least one active substance selected from lutein and lutein esters embedded in a matrix consisting essentially of a low fish bloom gelatin having a strength of 80 bloom or less and optionally one or more other matrix components, wherein the content of said at least one active substance calculated as free lutein is from 0.5 to 25% of total weight of the microcapsule, and which microcapsule does not comprise any added emulsifier.