Dry compositions for preparing submicron emulsions

A lyophilized composition comprising:

• from about 0.2 to about 30 weight percent of an oil;
• from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a cryoprotectant, wherein said cryoprotectant comprises an amino compound selected from the group consisting of a straight amino acid, a branched amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a straight amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a branched amino acid, an ester of a straight amino acid, an ester of a branched amino acid, a peptide, and a protein hydrolysate and being present in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of said oil;
• from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of an emulsifier;
• and
• from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of a co-emulsifier;
• the components being present in combination such that, when combined with an appropriate quantity of an aqueous liquid, the composition forms an oil-in-water emulsion.

A lyophilized composition consisting essentially of:

• from about 0.2 to about 40 weight percent of an oil;
• from about 40 to about 90 weight percent of a cryoprotectant, wherein said cryoprotectant comprises an amino compound selected from the group consisting of a straight amino acid, a branched amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a straight amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a branched amino acid, an ester of a straight amino acid, an ester of a branched amino acid, a peptide, and a protein hydrolysate and being present in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of said oil;
• and
• from about 0.1 to about 20 weight percent of an emulsifier, wherein the components being present in combination such that, when combined with an appropriate quantity of an aqueous liquid, the composition forms an oil-in-water emulsion.

A lyophilized composition comprising:

• from about 0.2 to about 30 weight percent of an oil;
• from about 50 to about 75 weight percent of a cryoprotectant, wherein said cryoprotectant comprises an amino compound selected from the group consisting of a straight amino acid, a branched amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a straight amino acid, a nontoxic salt of a branched amino acid, an ester of a straight amino acid, an ester of a branched amino acid, a peptide, and a protein hydrolysate and being present in an amount that is equal to or greater than the amount of said oil;
• from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of an emulsifier;
• and
• from about 0.1 to about 10 weight percent of a co-emulsifier;
• wherein the composition is formed by lyophilizing an emulsion of the components after dilution of the emulsion to reduce that oil content thereof, with the components of the lyophilized composition being present in combination such that, when combined with an appropriate quantity of an aqueous liquid, the composition forms an oil-in-water emulsion.