# US 11,896,037 B2 · Microencapsulation of active agents

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- Number: US 11,896,037 B2
- Document ID: US11896037B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/323,018
- Filed: 2017-08-03
- Published: 2019-07-04
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-03
- Assignees: Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
- Applicants: Temple University-Of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
- Inventors: Gregory S. Smutzer; Kevin Lee; Dhruti Patel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11896037B2

## CPC

- A23L 27/72: {Encapsulation}
- A01N 25/002: {containing a foodstuff as carrier or diluent, i.e. baits}
- A01N 25/28: Microcapsules {or nanocapsules}
- A23G 1/00: Cocoa; Cocoa products, e.g. chocolate; Substitutes therefor (preservation thereof A23B80/00)
- A23G 1/54: Composite products, e.g. layered, {laminated,} coated or filled
- A23G 3/54: Composite products, e.g. layered, coated, filled
- A23G 4/20: Composite products, e.g. centre-filled {, multi-layer, laminated}
- A23G 9/48: Composite products, e.g. layered {, laminated}, coated, filled
- A23L 27/30: Artificial sweetening agents
- A23L 27/79: {in the form of films}
- A23L 27/86: {Addition of bitterness inhibitors}
- A23P 10/35: with oils, lipids, monoglycerides or diglycerides
- A61K 8/11: Encapsulated compositions
- A61K 8/361: {Carboxylic acids having more than seven carbon atoms in an unbroken chain; Salts or anhydrides thereof}
- A61K 8/42: Amides
- A61K 8/60: Sugars; Derivatives thereof
- A61K 8/922: {of vegetable origin}
- A61K 9/0056: {Mouth soluble or dispersible forms; Suckable, eatable, chewable coherent forms; Forms rapidly disintegrating in the mouth; Lozenges; Lollipops; Bite capsules; Baked products; Baits or other oral forms for animals}
- A61K 9/5015: {Organic compounds, e.g. fats, sugars}
- A61Q 11/00: Preparations for care of the teeth, of the oral cavity or of dentures; Dentifrices, e.g. toothpastes; Mouth rinses
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A61K 2800/412: Microsized, i.e. having sizes between 0.1 and 100 microns
- A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B)
- A01N: PRESERVATION OF BODIES OF HUMANS OR ANIMALS OR PLANTS OR PARTS THEREOF (preservation of food or foodstuff A23); BIOCIDES, e.g. AS DISINFECTANTS, AS PESTICIDES OR AS HERBICIDES (preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes which kill or prevent the growth or proliferation of unwanted organisms A61K); PEST REPELLANTS OR ATTRACTANTS; PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS
- A23G: COCOA; COCOA PRODUCTS, e.g. CHOCOLATE; SUBSTITUTES FOR COCOA OR COCOA PRODUCTS; CONFECTIONERY; CHEWING GUM; ICE-CREAM; PREPARATION THEREOF
- A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
- 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)
- A61Q: SPECIFIC USE OF COSMETICS OR SIMILAR TOILETRY 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 present invention relates to compositions and methods for masking the taste of an agent. In certain aspects, the invention comprises a microsphere and at least one sweetener therein. In another aspect, the invention comprises an edible material comprising at least one microsphere comprising an agent and at least one microsphere comprising a sweetener.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A microsphere comprising a sweetener and at least one material selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid, glycerol, esters, or a combination thereof, wherein the microsphere further comprises elaidic acid or glyceryl dibehenate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The microsphere of claim 1, wherein the microsphere further comprises stearic acid.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The microsphere of claim 2, wherein the microsphere further comprises a lipid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The microsphere of claim 3, wherein the lipid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, cocoa butter, and coconut oil.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The microsphere of claim 2, wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of an artificial sweetener, a sugar alcohol, and a natural sweetener.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The microsphere of claim 5, wherein the sweetener is sucralose.

### Claim 7

An edible material comprising at least one microsphere comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid, glycerol, esters, or a combination thereof, wherein the microsphere further comprises elaidic acid or glyceryl dibehenate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, comprising a therapeutic agent.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The edible material of claim 8, wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a peptide, a peptidomimetic, an antibody, a ribozyme, a small molecule chemical compound, a nucleic acid, a plasmid vector, and an antisense nucleic acid molecule.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, wherein the edible material comprises a microsphere comprising an agent and a microsphere comprising a sweetener.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, wherein the edible material is selected from the group consisting of an edible oral strip, a gummy candy, a hard candy, chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, ice cream, pudding, apple sauce, and yogurt.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, comprising an imaging agent.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, comprising a diagnostic agent.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, comprising a contrast agent.

### Claim 15 (depends on 7)

The edible material of claim 7, comprising a labeling agent.