Granule with hydrated barrier material

Abstract

A granule having high stability and low dust is described. The granule includes a hydrated barrier material having moderate or high water activity. Also described are methods of producing the granules.

1 . A granule comprising an enzyme core and a barrier material, wherein the barrier material comprises a hydrated barrier material with moderate or high water activity. 
     
     
         2 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier material is a salt. 
     
     
         3 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, copper sulfate pentahydrate, sodium phosphate dibasic heptahydrate, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate, sodium borate decahydrate, sodium citrate dihydrate and magnesium acetate tetrahydrate. 
     
     
         4 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier material is part of the protein core. 
     
     
         5 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier material is coated over the protein core. 
     
     
         6 . The granule of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of material between the protein core and the barrier material. 
     
     
         7 . The granule of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of material over the barrier layer and protein core. 
     
     
         8 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the protein is an enzyme. 
     
     
         9 . The granule of  claim 1 , wherein the water activity is greater than 0.25. 
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a granule comprising:
 a) providing a protein core;   b) coating a hydrated barrier material with moderate or high water activity onto the protein core.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a coating over the barrier material.