Homogenous solid matrix cotaining vegetable proteins

Abstract

The invention provides a homogenous solid matrix composition, enabling an improved dispersion of and bitter taste masking of hydrophobic, bioactive ingestibles, of at least low water solubility comprising: (a) at least 10 % w / w vegetable proteins; (b) lecithin; and (c) at leaset one ingestible bioactive compound of at least low water solubility.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a homogeneous solid matrix composition containing vegetable proteins, lecithin and an ingestible bioactive compound of at least low water solubility. The term, at least low-water solubility, as used herein, is 5 intended to denote a compound having low or poor water solubility as well as compounds which are water insoluble due to the presence of at least a hydrophobic moiety in the compound or, the hydrophobicity of the compound as a whole.[0002] The bioactive compound is homogeneously embedded in an amorphous, non-crystalline form in the matrix for achieving the advantages of enhanced 10 dissolution and biological availability of said ingestible, bioactive compound to be administered to mammals, as well as taste masking of bitter ingestable substances.[0003] This invention has been developed to provide an answer for an unmet therapeutic or nutraceutic need of low biological availability of: drugs, phytomedicines, phytonutrients, vitamins and ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] Thus, according to the present invention, there is now provided a homogeneous solid matrix composition, enabling an improved dispersion of and bitter taste masking of hydrophobic, bioactive ingestibles, of at least low water solubility comprising:

[0038] The active compounds are released from the homogeneous solid matrix in a non-immediate manner. By selecting proteins with different functionality and at different concentration, the magnitude of delaying the release is controlled. For purposes of masking bitter taste, there is a need for short delay of release, while the granules are passing the oral cavity. A hydrophobic compound will be released from a very tight matrix in a slow release manner. The current invention enable control and design of the release pattern from very short release delay for purpose of taste masking to prolonged delay of as long as couple of hours for effective absorption and lowering number of daily administrations.

[0042] The release rate is also influenced from the amount of lecithin in the matrix. High lecithin concentration enhance the release profile due to better hydration, swelling and decomposing of the matrix.

Problems solved by technology

This patent does not teach the use of a homogeneous solid matrix where ingestible bioactive compounds are embedded in a non-crystaline amorphous manner.

As a result, they can only be used in small amounts in various products; otherwise intestinal discomfort. and poor flavor become the overriding consideration.

Soy flours and grits are considered to be "poorly" functional and typically have an NSI less than about 60%.

However. depending on the process used, soy protein concentrates have only poor to adequate flavor, and low to adequate functionality, having NSI's in the range of 15-70%.

In every instance, the high cost of such processes limit the use of these products in many areas such as aquacultural diets, poultry diets, and so forth.

Furthermore, the presence of approximately four (4)% fiber in soy protein concentrates makes them unsuitable for use in certain products such as beverages, milk and infant formulas.

Soy protein isolates are the most highly refined soy protein products commercially available, as well as the most expensive.

This entrapment contributes to the texture and chewiness of the food products.

Additionally, high numbers of intermolecular disulfide bonds increase water holding capacity, and, as a result, increases gel hardness.

Insoluble or low water soluble ingestible bioactive compounds may be any chemical, drug, molecule, substance, extract, herbal, vitamin, synthetic or semisynthetic or biotechnology product, hormone, peptide, protein, or mixture comprising such ingredient, that has a desired and or required bio-activity, and its biological activity is reduced, limited or is practically erratic, due to low or poor water solubility and low dissolution or wetting and insufficient concentratiori at the absorption or administration or biological target site.

Absorption of lipophilic vitamins is much more limited in comparison to water-soluble vitamins.

Fortunately, only very minute quantities of vitamins are required for normal living, however,. elderly people who need them more, less effectively assimilate vitamins and essential nutrients.