# US 8,541,040 B2 · Process for producing protein microparticles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,541,040 B2 - Document ID: US8541040B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/760,370 - Filed: 2013-02-06 - Published: 2013-06-13 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-10-07 - Assignees: University of Pretoria - Applicants: University of Pretoria - Inventors: Janet Taylor; John Reginald Nuttall Taylor - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8541040B2 ## CPC - A23J 3/14: Vegetable proteins - A23B 7/16: Coating with a protective layer; Compositions or apparatus therefor (A23B7/08 takes precedence) - A23J 3/18: from wheat - A23L 33/12: Fatty acids or derivatives thereof - A23P 10/30: Encapsulation of particles, e.g. foodstuff additives - A23P 20/12: Apparatus or processes for applying powders or particles to foodstuffs, e.g. for breading; Such apparatus combined with means for pre-moistening or battering - A61K 47/42: Proteins; Polypeptides; Degradation products thereof; Derivatives thereof, e.g. albumin, gelatin or zein (oligopeptides having up to five amino acids {A61K47/183}; polyamino acids A61K47/34) - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - A23J: PROTEIN COMPOSITIONS FOR FOODSTUFFS; WORKING-UP PROTEINS FOR FOODSTUFFS; PHOSPHATIDE COMPOSITIONS FOR FOODSTUFFS - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - 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 - 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) - 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 a process for producing protein microparticles in dilute organic acid solutions and in the absence of an alcohol such as ethanol. The microparticles are formed by dissolving a cereal prolamin protein in a concentrated organic acid solution with agitation and then diluting the solution with an aqueous solution. Protein microparticles having vacuoles are thus formed. The protein microparticles may be used to form powders, films, coatings, matrices, scaffolds and the like. Complete films can be formed from the protein microparticles of the invention. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Protein microparticles comprising: dry cereal prolamin protein dissolved in a concentrated organic acid with agitation and in the absence of an alcohol; wherein the solution containing the protein is diluted with an aqueous solution, and wherein the protein microparticles comprise vacuoles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the cereal prolamin protein is selected from the group consisting of gluten, hordein, zein, kafirin, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein processing is carried out in the absence of ethanol. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the protein solution is saturated or highly concentrated. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the agitation is provided by stirring, shaking, homogenization, or bubbling gas through the solution. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the protein is crosslinked with tannins or enzymes and/or heat treated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the organic acid is removed from the diluted solution. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the protein microparticles are dried. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein a powder, film, coating, matrix, or scaffold is formed from the diluted solution. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the solution is allowed to stand for 8 to 24 hours. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein the solution containing the protein is diluted with water to a final concentration of about 2 parts by weight of the protein to about 2 to about 30 parts by weight of the organic acid to about 96 to about 68 parts by weight of water. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The protein microparticles according to claim 1, wherein an additive, selected from the group consisting of a plasticizer, colouring agent, flavouring agent, preservative, trace mineral, nutrient, enzyme, hormone, nutraceutical, probiotic, prebiotic, pharmaceutical, and combinations thereof, is added to the solution and is incorporated into or encapsulated by the protein microparticles. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The protein microparticles according to claim 13, wherein the additive is a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, lactic acid, dibutyl tartrate, monoglycerides, palmitic acid, stearic acid, triethylene glycerol, sorbitol, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The protein microparticles according to claim 14, wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of from about 0.2 to about 0.6 parts by weight to about 1 part by weight of the protein. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A powder comprising the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An aqueous suspension comprising the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A film formed from the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A film according to claim 18, which is non-fragmented. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A coating formed from the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A matrix formed from the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A scaffold formed from the protein microparticles of claim 1. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) A substrate including the coating of claim 20.