Encapsulated bacteriophage formulation

Abstract

An encapsulated bacteriophage formulation and a method for preparing encapsulated bacteriophage formulation is provided. The method for producing the encapsulated bacteriophage composition involves injection of a molten coating substance comprising stearic acid and palmitic acid present at a ratio of 50:50, into a granulator chamber containing immobilized bacteriophages. The immobilized bacteriophage are agitated by rotation of a base of the chamber and swept by a flow of air at a temperature of between 10° C. and 50° C.

1 . A method for producing an encapsulated bacteriophage formulation comprising,
 injecting a molten coating substance comprising stearic acid and palmitic acid at a ratio of 50:50 at a temperature of between about 20° C. and about 120° C. into a chamber containing bacteriophage immobilized on skim milk powder, the bacteriophage immobilized on skim milk powder agitated by rotation of a base of the chamber and swept by a flow of air at a temperature of between 10° C. and 50° C., the flow of air having a speed such that the chamber temperature is between about 30° C. to about 55° C., to produce an encapsulated bacteriophage formulation.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the speed of rotation of the base of the chamber is between 50 and 500 rpm. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the coating substance has a melting point of between 30° C. and 100° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the injection temperature is between 60° C. and 120° C. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the chamber temperature does not exceed by more than 5° C. a viability temperature of the immobilized bacteriophages. 
     
     
         6 . An encapsulated bacteriophage formulation comprising bacteriophage immobilized on skim milk powder and encapsulated with a coating substance comprising stearic acid and palmitic acid present at a ratio of 50:50.