Capsules with a high active ingredient content

Abstract

The invention relates to (dried) capsules with a high active-ingredient or active-substance content, to the use of the capsules in cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical compositions and to the production of said capsules.

1 . A capsule, comprising
 (a) at least one gelable substance,   (b) at least one emulsifier,   (c) at least one filler and   (d) at least one active ingredient or active substance which is to be encapsulated,   with the active ingredient or active substance (d) being dispersed in an emulsion comprising the gelable substance (a), the emulsifier (b) and the filler (c).   
     
     
         2 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein
 the gelable substance (a) is selected from the group consisting composed of alginate, pectin, agar-agar, carrageenan, gellan gum, gelatins, modified cellulose, proteins and mixtures thereof,   the emulsifier (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysorbates, sugar esters, saponins, gum arabic, modified gum Arabic, modified starch and mixtures thereof, and   the filler (c) is selected from the group consisting of vegetable fibers, microcrystalline cellulose, silica gels, native starch, silicates and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         3 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the gelable substance is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, gellan gum and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the filler is a vegetable fiber which is selected from the group consisting of apple fibers, bamboo fibers, oat fibers, pea fibers, potato fibers, wheat fibers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, modified gum arabic, modified starch and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient or the active substance is selected from the group consisting of flavorings, fragrances, dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, anthocyanins and coenzyme 10, cosmetic active substances, pharmaceutically active substances and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the emulsifier to the filler is in the range of 2:1 to 1:2. 
     
     
         8 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the active ingredient content of the capsules is between 20 and 95 wt %. 
     
     
         9 . The capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the capsules have a mean average diameter of 200 to 1500 μm. 
     
     
         10 . A cosmetic product, pharmaceutical composition, food or beverage comprising the capsule as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A method for the production of the capsule as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising
 (i) formation of a mixture of a) at least one gelable substance, b) at least one emulsifier, c) at least one filler, and d) at least one active ingredient or active substance,   (ii) addition of drops of the mixture of i) to a solution of a multivalent cation, so that crosslinking occurs and gelation takes place,   (iii) separation of the capsule formed from step ii), and   (iv) drying of the capsule obtained from step iv).   
     
     
         12 . A method for preparing a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical composition, food or beverage comprising adding the capsule as claimed in  claim 1  to the cosmetic product, pharmaceutical composition, food or beverage. 
     
     
         13 . A method for preparing a pharmaceutical composition or cosmetic product for use on skin or orally, comprising adding the capsule as claimed in  claim 1  to the pharmaceutical composition or cosmetic product for use on the skin or for oral use. 
     
     
         14 . A method for the controlled, prolonged, delayed delivery and release of an active ingredient or active substance, comprising adding the capsule as claimed in  claim 1  to a cosmetic product, pharmaceutical composition, food or beverage. 
     
     
         15 . A method for preparing a capsule, comprising:
 (i) formation of a mixture of (a) at least one gelable substance, (b) at least one emulsifier, (c) at least one filler, and d) at least one active ingredient or active substance,   (ii) addition of drops of the mixture of i) to a solution of a multivalent cation, so that crosslinking occurs and gelation takes place,   (iii) separation of the capsule formed from step ii), and   (iv) drying of the capsule obtained from step iv), wherein   the gelable substance (a) is selected from the group consisting of alginate, pectin, agar-agar, carrageenan, gellan gum, gelatins, modified cellulose, proteins and mixtures thereof,   the emulsifier (b) is selected from the group consisting of polysorbates, sugar esters, saponins, gum arabic, modified starch and mixtures thereof, and   the filler (c) is selected from the group consisitng of vegetable fibers, microcrystalline cellulose, silica gels, native starches, silicates and mixtures thereof.