Novel Preparation Of An Enteric Release System

Abstract

Hydrophobic liquids are microencapsulated by an enteric matrix in an environment substantially free of organic solvents, the process including forming an emulsion of the enteric material and hydrophobic liquid in water, the emulsion titrated with an acid to form a particulate precipitate of the microencapsulated hydrophobic liquid in an enteric matrix.

1 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A composition comprising:
 a hydrophobic liquid; and   an enteric matrix configured to microencapsulate the hydrophobic liquid therein, wherein the hydrophobic liquid is dispersed throughout the enteric matrix.   
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the microencapsulated hydrophobic liquid comprises a dry powder. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the enteric matrix comprises shellac. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the enteric matrix comprises zein. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the microencapsulated hydrophobic liquid is coated with an enteric material. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the enteric matrix comprises a combination of shellac and zein. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 36  wherein the ratio of shellac to zein ranges from about 20:1 to 1:20. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 37  wherein the ratio is selected to provide a desired release rate. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 37  wherein ratio of shellac to zein is 3:1. 
     
     
         40 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the hydrophobic liquid comprises at least one essential oil. 
     
     
         41 . The composition of  claim 31  having a particle size ranging from about 1.0 to about 1000.0 micrometers. 
     
     
         42 . The composition of  claim 41  wherein the particle size range from about 10.0 to about 500.0 micrometers. 
     
     
         43 . The composition of  claim 42  wherein the particle size range from about 75.0 to about 250.0 micrometers. 
     
     
         44 . The composition of  claim 31  wherein the hydrophobic liquid comprises from about 25.0 to about 35.0 percent by weight para-cymene, from about 1.0 to about 10.0 percent by weight linalool, from about 1.0 to about 10.0 percent by weight alpha-pinene, from about 35.0 to about 45.0 percent by weight thymol, and from about 20.0 to about 30.0 percent by weight soybean oil. 
     
     
         45 . The composition of  claim 31  having a payload ranging from about 5.0 to about 35.0 percent. 
     
     
         46 . The composition of  claim 31  including less than about 1.0 percent by weight surface oil.