COATING FOR OXYGEN SENSITIVE MATERIALS

1 . A coating composition comprising: a lipid polymer; and a lipid-based anti-oxidant, wherein the anti-oxidant is soluble in the lipid polymer.

2 . The coating composition of claim 1 wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of waxes, partially hydrogenated oil, fats, gums, celluloses derivatives, proteins, synthetic polymer materials, alginate, carrageenan and mixtures thereof.

3 . The coating composition of claim 1 wherein the anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherols, ethoxyquinone, propyl gallate, rosemary extract, grapeseed extract, ascorbyl stearate, hydroquinone and mixtures thereof.

4 . The coating composition of claim 3 , wherein said antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.005 to about 5 percent by weight of the lipid polymer.

5 . The coating composition of claim 4 , wherein said antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 0.5 percent by weight of the lipid polymer.

6 . An encapsulated material, comprising: a core component; and a shell component encapsulating said core component, wherein said shell component comprises a lipid polymer material and a lipid-based anti-oxidant.

7 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 , wherein said core component is at least one of oxygen sensitive or water sensitive.

8 . The encapsulated material of claim 7 , wherein said core component is selected from the group consisting of unsaturated fatty acids, betacarotene, lutein, zeazanthin, iron salts, copper salts, selenium salts, flavonoids, coenzyme Q10, herbs, spices, flavorants, extracts, protein and peptide drugs, amino acids and amino acid residues, surfactants, enzymes, peroxides, fragrances, catalysts, vitamins, nutritional supplements, minerals, herbal products, food additives and mixtures thereof.

9 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 wherein said lipid polymer material is selected from the group consisting of waxes, partially hydrogenated oil, fats, gums, celluloses derivatives, proteins, synthetic polymer materials, alginate, carrageenan and mixtures thereof.

10 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 , wherein said anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), ascorbyl palmitate, tocopherols, ethoxyquinone, propyl gallate, rosemary extract, grapeseed extract, ascorbyl stearate, hydroquinone and mixtures thereof.

11 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 which is a food, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical or nutraceutical item.

12 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 , wherein said shell component is present in an amount of from about 20 to about 70 percent by weight of said core component.

13 . The encapsulated material of claim 12 , wherein the shell component has a thickness of from about 1 μm to about 1,000 μm.

14 . The encapsulated material of claim 13 , wherein the shell component has a thickness of from about 250 μm.

15 . The encapsulated material of claim 6 , wherein said antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.005 to about 5 percent by weight of the coating component.

16 . The encapsulated material of claim 15 , wherein said antioxidant is present in an amount of about 0.02 to about 0.5 percent by weight of the coating component.

17 . An encapsulated material, comprising: a core of omega-3-oil; and a shell component encapsulating said core component, wherein said shell component comprises a partially hydrogenated palm wax and L-ascorbic acid 6-palmitate.

18 . A method of protecting a core material from damage, the method comprising encapsulating a core with the coating composition of claim 1 .

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the coating thickness is from about 1 μm to about 1,000 μm.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the coating thickness is from about 10 μm to about 250 μm.