Encapsulation by entrapment within starch adduct matrix
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorBaruch S. Shasha
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Abstract
Water-insoluble chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are dispersed in an aqueous paste of a starch-containing material alkoxide. Subsequent addition of selected water-soluble alkali earth metal cations insolubilize the paste, thereby entrapping the agents in a protective matrix. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides a shield against hostile environments, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. Highly volatile liquids are protected against losses by evaporation. Encapsulation also provides protection against decomposition from exposure to ultraviolet light.
Claims11
A method of encapsulating a water-insoluble, chemical biological agent comprising the steps of:
- a. preparing a dispersion of a suitable chemical biological agent in a matrix-forming material comprising an aqueous paste of a starchcontaining material (SCM) alkoxide, wherein said paste has a solids concentration of SCM alkoxide of from about 6-20%, and wherein the relative amount of said SCM alkoxide with respect to said biological agent is sufficient to entrap said agent within a matrix of said SCM;
- b. reacting from a single phase said SCM alkoxide with a suitable bivalent cation selected from the group consisting of calcium, barium, and strontium to form a continuous insolubilized matrix having entrapped therein discontinuous domains of said agent;
- and
- c. recovering said entrapped chemical biological agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.