Microcapsules and emulsions containing low bloom gelatin and methods of making and using thereof

1. A microcapsule comprising an agglomeration of primary microcapsules and a loading substance, each individual primary microcapsule having a primary shell, wherein the loading substance is encapsulated by the primary shell, wherein the agglomeration is encapsulated by an outer shell, wherein the primary shell and/or the outer shell comprises gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50.

2. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and/or the outer shell further comprises a protein, a polyphosphate, a polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof.

3. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and/or the outer shell further comprises high Bloom gelatin type A, gelatin type B, polyphosphate, gum arabic, alginate, chitosan, carrageenan, pectin, starch, modified starch, alfa-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobumin, ovalbumin, polysorbiton, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins, cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, milk protein, whey protein, soy protein, canola protein, albumin, kosher gelatin, non-kosher gelatin, Halal gelatin, non-Halal gelatin, or a mixture thereof.

4. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and the outer shell comprises a complex coacervate.

5. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin has a Bloom number of less than 40.

6. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin has a Bloom number of less than 30.

7. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin has a Bloom number of less than 20.

8. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin has a Bloom number of less than 10.

9. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin has a Bloom number of zero.

10. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the gelatin is gelatin type A having a Bloom number of zero.

11. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and the outer shell comprises gelatin having a Bloom number of less than 50.

12. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and the outer shell comprises a complex coacervate between gelatin having a Bloom number of zero and polyphosphate.

13. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the microcapsule further comprises an antioxidant.

14. The microcapsule of claim 13 , wherein the antioxidant comprises a phenolic compound, a plant extract, or a sulphur-containing amino acid.

15. The microcapsule of claim 13 , wherein the antioxidant comprises ascorbic acid or a salt of ascorbic acid.

16. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has an average diameter of from about 1 μm to about 2,000 μm.

17. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has an average diameter of from about 20 μm to about 1,000 μm.

18. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has an average diameter of from about 20 μm to about 100 μm.

19. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has an average diameter of from about 30 μm to about 80 μm.

20. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shells have an average diameter of from about 40 μm to about 10 μm.

21. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shells have an average diameter of from about 0.1 μm to about 5 μm.

22. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shells have an average diameter of about 1 μm.

23. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance is from 20% to 90% by weight of the microcapsule.

24. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance is from 50% to 70% by weight of the microcapsule.

25. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance comprises a grease, an oil, a lipid, a drug, a biologically active substance, a nutritional supplement, a flavour compound, or a mixture thereof.

26. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance comprises fish oil.

27. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance comprises an omega-3 fatty acid or an ester or triglyceride of an omega-3 fatty acid.

28. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance comprises eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, an ester or triglyceride thereof, or a mixture thereof.

29. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance comprises a phytosterol ester of docosahexaenoic acid and/or eicosapentaenoic acid, a C 1 –C 6 alkyl ester of docosahexaenoic acid and/or eicosapentaenoic acid, an ester or triglyceride thereof, or a mixture thereof.

30. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the primary shell and the outer shell comprises a complex coacervate between gelatin having a Bloom number of zero and polyphosphate, and the loading substance comprises eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, an ester or triglyceride thereof, or a mixture thereof.

31. The microcapsule of claim 1 , wherein the loading substance further comprises an antioxidant, wherein the antioxidant comprises CoQ 10 , vitamin E, a tocopherol, a lipid soluble derivative of a polar antioxidant, a plant extract, an algal extract, or a synthetic antioxidant.

32. The microcapsule of claim 1 , further comprising one or more additional shells surrounding the outer shell, wherein at least one of the primary, outer, and additional shells comprise a complex coacervate.

33. The microcapsule of claim 1 , further comprising one or more processing aid in the primary and/or the outer shells, wherein the processing aid comprises an emulsifier, a fatty acid, a lipid, a wax, a microbial cell, a clay, an inorganic compound, or any combination thereof.

34. A microcapsule comprising a loading substance, a primary shell, and a secondary shell, wherein the primary shell encapsulates the loading substance, and the secondary shell encapsulates the loading substance and primary shell, wherein the primary shell and/or the secondary shell comprises gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50.

35. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the primary shell and the secondary shell comprises a complex coacervate.

36. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the primary shell and/or the secondary shell further comprises a protein, a polyphosphate, a polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof.

37. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the primary shell and/or the secondary shell further comprises high Bloom gelatin type A, gelatin type B, polyphosphate, gum arabic, alginate, chitosan, carrageenan, pectin, starch, modified starch, alfa-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobumin, ovalbumin, polysorbiton, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins, cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, milk protein, whey protein, soy protein, canola protein, albumin, kosher gelatin, non-kosher gelatin, Halal gelatin, non-Halal gelatin, or a mixture thereof.

38. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the gelatin is gelatin type A having a Bloom number of zero.

39. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the primary and/or secondary shell comprises a complex coacervate between zero Bloom gelatin and polyphosphate.

40. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the loading substance is from 20% to 90% by weight of the microcapsule.

41. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the loading substance is from 50% to 70% by weight of the microcapsule.

42. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the microcapsule has a diameter of from 1 μm to 2,000 μm.

43. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the microcapsule has a diameter of from 20 μm to 100 μm.

44. The microcapsule of claim 34 , wherein the microcapsule has a diameter of from 30 μm to 80 μm.

45. An emulsion comprising a loading substance and a gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50.

46. The emulsion of claim 45 , wherein the emulsion further comprises a protein, a polyphosphate, a polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof.

47. The emulsion of claim 45 , wherein the emulsion further comprises high Bloom gelatin type A, gelatin type B, polyphosphate, gum arabic, alginate, chitosan, carrageenan, pectin, starch, modified starch, alfa-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobumin, ovalbumin, polysorbiton, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins, cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, milk protein, whey protein, soy protein, canola protein, albumin, kosher gelatin, Halal gelatin, or a mixture thereof.

48. The emulsion of claim 45 , wherein the emulsion further comprises an antioxidant, a surfactant, a metal ion chelator, a flavorant, or a viscosifier.

49. The emulsion of claim 45 , wherein the gelatin is gelatin type A having a Bloom number of zero.

50. A process for preparing microcapsules, the process comprising:

(a) providing an aqueous mixture comprising a loading substance and a gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50;

(b) adjusting the pH, temperature, concentration, mixing speed or a combination thereof to form a primary shell comprising the gelatin around the loading substance;

(c) cooling the aqueous mixture to a temperature above the gel point of the gelatin until the primary shells form an agglomeration; and,

(d) cooling the aqueous mixture to form an outer shell around the agglomeration.

51. The process of claim 50 , wherein the aqueous mixture further comprises a second polymer component.

52. The process of claim 51 , wherein the second polymer component comprises a protein, a polyphosphate, a polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof.

53. The process of claim 51 , wherein the second polymer component comprises high Bloom gelatin type A, gelatin type B, polyphosphate, gum arabic, alginate, chitosan, carrageenan, pectin, starch, modified starch, alfa-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobumin, ovalbumin, polysorbiton, maltodextrins, cyclodextrins, cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydropropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, milk protein, whey protein, soy protein, canola protein, albumin, kosher gelatin, non-kosher gelatin, Halal gelatin, non-Halal gelatin, or a mixture thereof.

54. The process of claim 51 , wherein the second polymer component is polyphosphate.

55. The process of claim 50 , wherein the loading substance comprises a grease, an oil, a lipid, a drug, a biologically active substance, a nutritional supplement, a flavour compound, or a mixture thereof.

56. The process of claim 50 , wherein the loading substance comprises fish oil.

57. The process of claim 50 , wherein the loading substance comprises an omega-3 fatty acid or an ester or triglyceride of an omega-3 fatty acid.

58. The process of claim 50 , wherein the loading substance comprises eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, an ester or triglyceride, or a mixture thereof.

59. The process of claim 50 , wherein the loading substance is provided in an amount of from about 20% to 90% by dry weight.

60. The process of claim 50 , wherein the low Bloom gelatin is provided in an amount of from about 1% to about 15% by weight of the aqueous mixture.

61. The process of claim 50 , wherein an antioxidant is added to the aqueous mixture in step (a).

62. The process of claim 50 , wherein step (a) comprises (i) dispersing the loading substance into the aqueous mixture of the gelatin and (ii) adding a second polymer component to the aqueous mixture of loading substance and gelatin.

63. The process of claim 50 , wherein the pH in step (b) is adjusted to a value from 3.5 to 5.0.

64. The process of claim 50 , wherein the pH in step (b) is adjusted to a value from 4.0 to 5.0.

65. The process of claim 50 , wherein the temperature is initially from about 20° C. to about 60° C.

66. The process of claim 50 , wherein the mixture in step (c) is cooled at a rate of 1° C./10 minutes.

67. The process of claim 50 , wherein the mixture in step (c) is cooled until it reaches a temperature of from about 3° C. to about 10° C.

68. The process of claim 51 , further comprising adding a cross-linker to cross-link the gelatin and second polymer component.

69. The process of claim 51 , further comprising after step (d) adding a cross-linker to cross-link the gelatin and second polymer component.

70. The process of claim 68 , wherein the cross-linker comprises an enzymatic cross-linker, an aldehyde, tannic acid, alum, a plant extract, a phenolic compound, or a mixture thereof.

71. The process of claim 68 wherein the cross-linker is gluteraldehyde.

72. The process of claim 68 , wherein the cross-linker is transglutaminase.

73. The process of claim 50 , further comprising drying the microcapsule after step (d).

74. The process of claim 50 , further comprising after step (d), mixing the microcapsule with a third polymer component and adjusting the pH, temperature, concentration, mixing speed or a combination thereof to form a shell material comprising the third polymer component, wherein third polymer component forms a shell around microcapsule.

75. A process for preparing microcapsules, the process comprising:

(a) providing an emulsion comprising a loading substance and a gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50; and

(b) drying the emulsion to produce the microcapsules.

76. The process of claim 75 , wherein the drying step comprises spray drying, freeze drying, fluidized bed drying, or drum drying.

77. The process of claim 75 , wherein the drying step comprises spray drying.

78. A microcapsule produced by the process of claim 50 .

79. A microcapsule produced by the process of claim 75 .

80. A foodstuff comprising the microcapsule of claim 1 .

81. The foodstuff of claim 80 , wherein the foodstuff is a baked good, a pasta, a meat product, a frozen dairy product, a milk product, a cheese product, an egg product, a condiment, a soup mix, a snack food, a nut product, a plant protein product, a hard candy, a soft candy, a poultry product, a processed fruit juice, a granulated sugar, a sauce, a gravy, a syrup, a nutritional bar, a beverage, a dry beverage powder, a jam or jelly, a fish product, or pet companion food.

82. The foodstuff of claim 80 , wherein the foodstuff is bread, tortillas, cereal, sausage, chicken, ice cream, yogurt, milk, salad dressing, rice bran, fruit juice, a dry beverage powder, rolls, cookies, crackers, fruit pies, or cakes.

83. A foodstuff comprising the microcapsule of claim 1 .

84. The foodstuff of claim 83 , wherein the foodstuff is kosher or Halal.

85. A foodstuff comprising the microcapsule of claim 34 .

86. The foodstuff of claim 85 , wherein the foodstuff is kosher or Halal.

87. A foodstuff comprising the microcapsule of claim 78 .

88. The foodstuff of claim 87 , wherein the foodstuff is kosher or Halal.

89. A foodstuff comprising the emulsion of claim 45 .

90. The foodstuff of claim 89 , wherein the foodstuff is kosher or Halal.

91. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the microcapsule of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

92. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the microcapsule of claim 34 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

93. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the microcapsule of claim 78 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

94. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising the emulsion of claim 45 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

95. A method for delivering a loading substance to a subject, comprising administering to the subject the microcapsule of claim 1 .

96. The method of claim 95 , wherein the subject is a mammal.

97. The method of claim 95 , wherein the subject is a human.

98. The method of claim 95 , wherein the subject is a domesticated animal.

99. The method of claim 95 , wherein the subject is a mice, a rat, a cow, a horse, a sheep, a goat, a primate, a fish, a shellfish, a crustacean, a bird, a dog, or a cat.

100. A method for delivering a loading substance to a subject, comprising administering to the subject the microcapsule of claim 34 .

101. A method for delivering a loading substance to a subject, comprising administering to the subject the microcapsule of claim 78 .

102. A method for delivering a loading substance to a subject, comprising administering to the subject the emulsion of claim 45 .

103. A method for stabilizing an emulsion, comprising admixing an aqueous mixture of a loading substance with a gelatin having a Bloom number less than 50.