Continuous multi-microencapsulation process for improving the stability and storage life of biologically active ingredients

A method comprising:

• (a) preparing microcapsules of at least one ingredient(s), comprising:
• (i) forming a water in oil emulsion comprising a water phase, an oil phase, a polymerization initiator, an emulsifier and the at least one ingredient(s), wherein:
• the polymerization initiator exists in the water phase,
• the emulsifier exists in the oil phase or in the water phase,
• the ingredient(s) exists in the oil phase and/or in the water phase;
• (ii) adding an aqueous solution or dispersion containing at least one hydrocolloid(s) which is polymerizable due to the polymerization initiator and thereby producing a phase inversion whereby there are drops of water in oil and polymerization and cross-linking of the hydrocolloid(s) onto the drops of water in oil;
• (iii) adding an aqueous solution or dispersion containing at least one protective colloid(s) and thereby depositing the protective colloid(s) on the surface of the drops of water in oil, whereby the protective colloid(s) polymerizes and cross-links with itself and the hydrocolloid(s);
• (iv) adding an aqueous solution or dispersion containing a surfactant and thereby reducing the size of the water in oil drops, whereby microcapsules or multi-microcapsules having a wall and suspended in water result;
• and
• (v) subjecting the microcapsules or multi-microcapsules having a wall and suspended in water to a temperature increase to strengthen the wall,
• whereby microcapsules comprising at least one ingredient(s) results from the preparation;
• and
• (b) formulating a composition for ingestion by an individual comprising the microcapsules comprising at least one ingredient(s).

A method comprising:

• an individual ingesting a composition comprising microcapsules, each of the microcapsules having a wall containing an inner content of the microcapsules, wherein:
• the wall of each of the microcapsules is formed by at least two polymerized hydrocolloids,
• the inner content of the microcapsules comprises a first emulsion of water in oil and first inner microcapsules suspended in the first emulsion, wherein there are at least 5 degrees of multi-microencapsulation and each degree of multi-microencapsulation comprises a first microcapsule suspended in an emulsion of water in oil of a second microcapsule,
• the average particle size of each of the microcapsules is 1-10 μm,
• one or more ingredients is present in at least a discontinuous oil phase and/or in a discontinuous water phase in the microcapsules,
• the first inner microcapsules each having a wall formed by the at least two polymerized hydrocolloids, and
• the inner content of the first inner microcapsules each comprising a second emulsion of water in oil.

A method comprising:

• contacting microcapsules comprising an anabolite or nutrient with a microbiological culture, whereby the anabolite or nutrient are released from the microcapsules at a constant or quasi-constant rate, wherein:
• each of the microcapsules has a wall containing an inner content of the microcapsules,
• the wall of each of the microcapsules is formed by at least two polymerized hydrocolloids,
• the inner content of the microcapsules comprises a first emulsion of water in oil and first inner microcapsules suspended in the first emulsion, wherein there are at least 5 degrees of multi-microencapsulation and each degree of multi-microencapsulation comprises a first microcapsule suspended in an emulsion of water in oil of a second microcapsule,
• the average particle size of each of the microcapsules is 1-10 μm, and
• the anabolite or nutrient is present in at least a discontinuous oil phase and/or in a discontinuous water phase in the microcapsules.