Process for the production of aqueous dispersions of lipid spheres

A process for producing a dispersion of spherules comprising arranged molecular layers of a lipid compound encapsulating an aqueous phase, the steps comprising (1) admixing at least one water-dispersible lipid compound having the formula X-Y wherein X represents a hydrophilic ionic or non-ionic group and Y represents a lipophilic group with an aqueous phase to be encapsulated in said spherules, said lipid compound having a lipophile group/hydrophile group ratio such that the lipid compound swells in the aqueous phase to be encapsulated therein so as to form a lamellar phase, (2) agitating the resulting mixture so that said lamellar phase is formed, (3) adding an aqueous liquid dispersion phase in an amount greater than the amount of lamellar phase obtained, said aqueous liquid dispersion phase being other than said aqueous phase being encapsulated so that when the resulting mixture is agitated the said lamellar phase is transformed into said spherules in the presence of said aqueous liquid dispersion phase, and (4) vigorously shaking the resulting mixture for a sufficient period of time.