Production of capsules and particles for improvement of food products

Abstract

The present invention is related to the production of capsules or particles of micro and nanometric size, for introduction into food, using stable electrified coaxial jets of two immiscible liquids with diameters in the micro and nanometric range. An aerosol of charged structured droplets forms when the jets dissociate by capillary instabilities. The structured droplets, which are mono-dispersed in size, contain a first liquid (generally the material desired to be added) that is surrounded by a second liquid. Generally the second liquid provides a barrier or protective coating which allows the addition of the first liquid to a food product without adversely affecting the organoleptic or other properties of the food product.

1 . An improved food product comprising a food product and an effective amount of one or more enhancing additives, wherein the one or more enhancing additives are incorporated into the food product in the form of nanometric encapsulated particles comprising an inner core containing the one or more additives and a protecting composition as an outer layer surrounding the inner core, wherein the protecting composition prevents or significantly reduces any adverse effects of the one or more additives on the organoleptic or other properties of the improved or functional food product.  
   
   
       2 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the nanometric encapsulated particles are prepared using a method comprising: 
 forcing a first liquid through a first exit opening in an electrified first feeding needle to form a Taylor cone at the first exit whereby an extremely thin jet is emitted into a chamber having gas or vacuum;    forcing a second liquid, non-miscible with the first liquid, through a second exit in a second feeding needle, wherein the second feeding needle is concentrically located with respect to the first feeding needle, in a manner which causes the second liquid to form a conical meniscus which is anchored at the second exit of the second feeding needle and surrounds the Taylor cone of the first liquid;    wherein a jet of the second liquid, which is coaxial with, and surrounds, the extremely thin jet of the first liquid, is issued from the conical meniscus into the chamber;    wherein the second feeding needle is at the same or different electrical potential than the first feeding needle;    wherein the chamber contains a dielectric atmosphere;    wherein stable fluid interfaces are maintained between the second liquid and the dielectric atmosphere in the chamber and wherein the second and first liquids forced from the first and second feeding needles form the encapsulated particles; and    wherein the first liquid comprises the one or more enhancing additives and the second liquid comprises the protecting composition.    
   
   
       3 . The improved food product of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more enhancing additives are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, colorants, herbals, nutriceuticals, flavonoids, antimicrobials, preservatives, dietary supplements, fiber, phyto-chemicals, omega acids, carotenoids, and collagen.  
   
   
       4 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more enhancing additives are biologically active ingredients which contribute to overall well being or reduce the risk of specific diseases or conditions in an animal consuming the improved or functional food product.  
   
   
       5 . The improved food product of  claim 4 , wherein the animal is a human.  
   
   
       6 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the nanometric encapsulated particles are substantially uniformed in size.  
   
   
       7 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the nanometric encapsulated particles have substantially a same diameter with a deviation between a range of ±2 percent to ±10 percent.  
   
   
       8 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the protecting composition is of a time-release component, whereby controlling delivery of the enhancing additives.  
   
   
       9 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 0.67 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.1 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       10 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 0.83 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.3 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       11 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.17 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.5 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       12 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.50 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.7 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       13 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.84 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.9 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       14 . The improved food product of  claim 1 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 2.17 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 2.0 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       15 . An improved food product comprising a food product and an effective amount of one or more enhancing additives, wherein the one or more enhancing additives are incorporated into the food product in the form of nanometric particles comprising an inner core containing the one or more additives and a protecting composition as an outer layer surrounding the inner core, wherein the protecting composition prevents or significantly reduces any adverse effects of the one or more additives on the organoleptic or other properties of the improved or functional food product.  
   
   
       16 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the nanometric particles are prepared using a method comprising: 
 forcing a first liquid through a first exit opening in an electrified first feeding needle to form a Taylor cone at the first exit whereby an extremely thin jet is emitted into a chamber having gas or vacuum;    forcing a second liquid, non-miscible with the first liquid, through a second exit in a second feeding needle, wherein the second feeding needle is concentrically located with respect to the first feeding needle, in a manner which causes the second liquid to form a conical meniscus which is anchored at the second exit of the second feeding needle and surrounds the Taylor cone of the first liquid;    wherein a jet of the second liquid, which is coaxial with, and surrounds, the extremely thin jet of the first liquid, is issued from the conical meniscus into the chamber;    wherein the second feeding needle is at the same or different electrical potential than the first feeding needle;    wherein the chamber contains a dielectric atmosphere;    wherein stable fluid interfaces are maintained between the second liquid and the dielectric atmosphere in the chamber and wherein the second and first liquids forced from the first and second feeding needles form the encapsulated particles; and    wherein the first liquid comprises the one or more enhancing additives and the second liquid comprises the protecting composition.    
   
   
       17 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more enhancing additives are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, minerals, colorants, herbals, nutriceuticals, flavonoids, antimicrobials, preservatives, dietary supplements, fiber, phyto-chemicals, omega acids, carotenoids, and collagen.  
   
   
       18 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more enhancing additives are biologically active ingredients which contribute to overall well being or reduce the risk of specific diseases or conditions in an animal consuming the improved or functional food product.  
   
   
       19 . The improved food product of  claim 18 , wherein the animal is a human.  
   
   
       20 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the nanometric encapsulated particles are substantially uniformed in size.  
   
   
       21 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the nanometric encapsulated particles have substantially a same diameter with a deviation between a range of ±2 percent to ±10 percent.  
   
   
       22 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the protecting composition is of a time-release component, whereby controlling delivery of the enhancing additives.  
   
   
       23 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 0.67 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.1 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       24 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 0.83 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.3 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       25 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.17 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.5 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       26 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.50 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.7 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       27 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 1.84 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 1.9 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .  
   
   
       28 . The improved food product of  claim 15 , wherein the outer layer is provided at a flow rate Q 1  of 50 milliliter per minute and the inner core is provided at a flow rate Q 2  of 2.17 milliliter per minute, at an electric current I of 2.0 mAmp, wherein the electric current I follows electrospray law IμQ 2   1/2 .