# US 2015/0147367 A1 · Method for nanocapsulation of hydrophobic compounds and compositions thereof

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- Number: US 2015/0147367 A1
- Document ID: US20150147367A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/493,938
- Filed: 2014-09-23
- Published: 2015-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-23
- Assignees: Tarbiat Modaress University
- Applicants: Tarbiat Modaress University
- Inventors: Soleiman Abbasi; Soheila Ghasemi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150147367A1

## CPC

- A61K 9/5192: {Processes}
- A23L 33/12: Fatty acids or derivatives thereof
- A23P 10/30: Encapsulation of particles, e.g. foodstuff additives
- A61K 8/11: Encapsulated compositions
- A61K 8/64: Proteins; Peptides; Derivatives or degradation products thereof
- A61K 9/5169: {Proteins, e.g. albumin, gelatin}
- A61Q 19/00: Preparations for care of the skin
- A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs
- A61K 2800/413: Nanosized, i.e. having sizes below 100 nm
- 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)
- A23L: FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF (preservation thereof A23B)
- A23P: SHAPING OR WORKING OF FOODSTUFFS, NOT FULLY COVERED BY A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS
- 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

Nanoencapsulation of hydrophobic compounds using native casein micelles by means of PH changes and ultrasonication.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for nanoencapsulation of hydrophilic compounds comprising:
preparing a first dispersion containing therein a plurality of hydrophilic compositions;
preparing a second dispersion containing therein a plurality of casein micelles;
adjusting the pH of said second dispersion from a first pH to a second pH;
admixing said first dispersion and the adjusted second dispersion, forming an admixture thereof; and
sonicating said admixture,
whereby the sonicated admixture contains a plurality of casein micelles with said hydrophilic compositions encapsulated therein.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of hydrophilic compositions comprise at least two types of said hydrophilic compositions.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of hydrophilic compositions are selected from the group consisting of a drug, a nutraceutical, a vitamin, a cosmetic compound, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of hydrophilic compositions comprise a nutraceutical, where said nutraceutical is selected from the group consisting of ω-3 fatty acids.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of adjusting said second dispersion comprises increasing the pH toward alkalinity.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein said second pH is in the range of about 7.5 to about 11.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein said second pH is in the range of about 7.5 to about 8.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
after said sonicating, modifying the pH of the sonicated admixture.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method according to claim 8, wherein said step of modifying said sonicated admixture comprises decreasing the pH toward neutrality to a third pH.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein said third pH is in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method according to claim 9, wherein said third pH is substantially equal to said first pH.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of casein micelles contain natural casein micelles.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein said plurality of casein micelles contain about 1% to about 5% natural casein micelles.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein said sonication of said admixture is for about 2 to about 4 minutes.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

A nanoencapsulation comprising:
a casein micelle encapsulating a hydrophobic compound therein produced pursuant to the steps of claim 1.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 15, wherein said casein micelle is a natural casein micelle.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 15, wherein said hydrophilic composition is selected from the group consisting of a drug, a nutraceutical, a vitamin, a cosmetic compound, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 15, wherein said hydrophilic composition is a nutraceutical, where said nutraceutical is selected from the group consisting of ω-3 fatty acids.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 15, wherein said nanoencapsulation of said hydrophilic composition inside a casein micelle has an average diameter of about 100 nm to about 350 nm.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 19, wherein said nanoencapsulation has an average diameter of about 200 nm to about 350 nm.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The nanoencapsulation according to claim 20, wherein said nanoencapsulation has an average diameter of about 250 nm to about 350 nm.