Bioactive compounds protection method and compositions containing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to means for protecting bioactive materials in mammalian food or feed formulations used to enhance the health status of mammals.

1 - 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A method for encapsulating or embedding a heat sensitive bioactive ingredient, comprising:
 (i) mixing insulin, maltodextrin and a liquid to form a liquid blend;   (ii) drying the liquid blend of step (i) to form a dry blend;   (iii) coating the dried blend of step (ii) with an encapsulating layer comprising maltodextrin; wherein the steps of mixing and drying are conducted at a maximum temperature of 50° C., such that the activity of the heat sensitive bioactive ingredient is substantially maintained.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the liquid blend of step (i) further comprises saline. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the insulin is recombinant human insulin. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising reducing the particle size of the encapsulated or embedded bioactive ingredient. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the method provides uniformly sized particles of an encapsulated or embedded bioactive ingredient, having an average size of between about 50 to about 1000 micrometers. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the maximum temperature is 37° C. 
     
     
         30 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 24 . 
     
     
         31 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 25 . 
     
     
         32 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 26 . 
     
     
         33 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 27 . 
     
     
         34 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 28 . 
     
     
         35 . An encapsulated or embedded heat sensitive bioactive ingredient prepared by the method of  claim 29 .