Fortified micronutrient salt formulations

Abstract

Salt formulations, which are resistant to moisture and cooking conditions, are described herein. The formulations provide particles of micronutrients and vitamins encapsulated within heat resistant pH-sensitive water-insoluble polymers, which are packaged within a salt shell. The pH-sensitive, water-insoluble, thermally stable materials stabilize the micronutrients, particularly at high temperatures, such as during food preparation and cooking, and release the micronutrients at the desired locations such as the stomach, small intestine, etc. Preferred pH-sensitive polymers release at a low pH, less than the pH present in the stomach. The particles can be used to deliver daily-recommended doses of micronutrients simultaneously with salt, eliminating the need for vitamin pills. This is particularly important in populations suffering from severe malnutrition.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A formulation comprising:
 particles comprising one or more types of micronutrient agents, which particles are dispersed in a matrix formed of a pH-sensitive water-insoluble material, the pH-sensitive water-insoluble material characterized by:   (i) dissolving at a pH less than 6.0,   (ii) being sufficiently non-porous such that water or other aqueous media cannot diffuse through the matrix; and   (iii) a thermal stability to 100° C. for thirty minutes,   
       the formulation being characterized in that:
 (a) the one or more types of micronutrient agents are released from the matrix material upon exposure to a defined pH of less than 6.0, and (b) the matrix contains the pH-sensitive water-insoluble material in an amount such that the matrix resists degradation in an aqueous solution at a pH of about 7.4 for about one hour. 
 
     
     
         23 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the one or more types of micronutrient agents are selected from the group consisting of vitamins, trace minerals, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The formulation of  claim 23 , wherein the vitamins and trace minerals are selected from the group consisting of iron, zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, chromium, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B9 (folic acid), vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, biotin, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The formulation of  claim 23 , wherein the one or more types of micronutrient agents are selected from the group consisting of potassium iodide, phosphates, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the matrix dissolves at a pH between about 1 and 5, about 1 and 3, or about 1 and 2. 
     
     
         27 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the matrix dissolves at a pH between about 5 and 6. 
     
     
         28 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the particles have a diameter of one millimeter or less. 
     
     
         29 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the matrix modulates release of the one or more types of micronutrient agents from the particles upon exposure to a defined pH between about pH 1 and 3. 
     
     
         30 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the particles are formulated in a feed for administration to animals. 
     
     
         31 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the particles are formulated with food. 
     
     
         32 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the matrix is a solid. 
     
     
         33 . A method of providing micronutrients, the method comprising adding an effective amount of the particles of  claim 22  to a food. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the formulation is provided to agricultural animals. 
     
     
         35 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the matrix comprises a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel particle (HGP) core encapsulated within the pH-sensitive water-insoluble material. 
     
     
         36 . The formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the HGP core comprises a polydispersity (PDI) within a range from about 2.0 to about 2.2. 
     
     
         37 . The formulation of  claim 35 , wherein the HGP core comprises a degree of separation (SD) within a range from about 37 to about 65. 
     
     
         38 . The formulation of  claim 24 , wherein the vitamins and trace minerals comprise at least one of iodine encapsulated at an efficiency of about 75.2+/−8.9%, vitamin A encapsulated at an efficiency of about 31.3+/−5.0%, vitamin D3 encapsulated at an efficiency of about 79.9+/−7.4%, vitamin C encapsulated at an efficiency of about 11.95+/−0.65%, and vitamin B9 encapsulated at an efficiency of about 51.4+/−3.3%. 
     
     
         39 . The formulation of  claim 24 , wherein the vitamins and trace minerals comprise at least one of iodine encapsulated at loading of 21.2+/−2.5 μg/mg, vitamin A encapsulated at loading of 7.4+/−1.2 μg/mg, vitamin D3 encapsulated at at loading of 19.8+/−1.8 μg/mg, vitamin C encapsulated at at loading of 13.75+/−0.75 μg/mg, and vitamin B9 encapsulated at loading of 1.66+/−0.11 μg/mg. 
     
     
         40 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the particles comprising one or more types of micronutrient agents further comprise a second matrix in which the micronutrients are dispersed. 
     
     
         41 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the pH-sensitive water-insoluble material comprises polymethacrylates, naturally occurring cellulosic polymers (e.g., cellulose acetate succinate, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose phthalate, and hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose acetate succinate) and other polysaccharides, semi-synthetic or synthetic derivatives thereof, poly(2-vinylpyridine-co-styrene), polyvinyl acetate phthalate, shellac, fatty acids, waxes, plastics, and/or plant fibers. 
     
     
         42 . The formulation of  claim 22 , wherein the pH-sensitive water-insoluble material comprises a polymer.