STABLE BIOACTIVE COMPOSITION
A composition for stabilising one or more unstable bioactive components, the formulation comprising a protective matrix of at least agar and glycerol; and a bioactive component at 0.005-15% w/w embedded in the matrix, an animal chew for veterinary use comprising said composition and a process of making the same.
1 . A composition for stabilising one or more unstable bioactive components, the formulation comprising:
a protective matrix of at least agar and glycerol; and
a bioactive component at 0.005-15% w/w embedded in the matrix.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , further comprising water in the range of 6-24% w/w and/or sodium chloride in the range 0.4-1.6% w/w.
3 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the agar is in the range 1.4-9.6% w/w and/or the glycerol is in the range 20-36% w/w.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the bioactive component is one, or a combination of two or more, marine oils selected from green shell mussel oil, hoki oil and fish oil and fish roe oil.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a water activity level from 0.45-0.7.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises at least or a combination of one sodium chloride, water, rice flour, molasses, ascorbic acid, canola oil and flavour enhancer.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a colouring agent selected to prevent penetration of light through the matrix.
8 . The composition according to claim 1 for use as a medicament.
9 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the medicament is for the treatment or prevention of inflammation, or disease substantially mediated by inflammatory processes.
10 . An animal chew comprising the composition of claim 1 .
11 . A process for manufacturing a stable bioactive composition comprising:
combining 6-25% w/w water and 20-36% w/w glycerol to form a mix;
gradually blending 1.4-9.6% w/w agar into the mix;
cooling the mix to less than 40° C.;
adding 0.005-15% w/w bioactive component to the mix to create a bioactive matrix dough;
reducing the temperature of the dough in a step-wise manner from 40° C. to 18° C.; and
extruding the dough and setting to form a stable bioactive composition.
12 . The process of claim 11 , wherein the bioactive component is pre-blended with one or more further components including but not limited to ascorbic acid and/or flavouring.
13 . The process of claim 11 , wherein the agar is added to the mix using high shear.
14 . A method of manufacturing an animal chew comprising using the process according to claim 11 to form a stable bioactive composition and thereafter cutting and shaping the composition to form a chew.
15 . An animal chew obtained from the process of claim 14 , for use in the maintenance or improvement of animal health.
16 . The process for manufacturing a stable bioactive composition of claim 11 , wherein the agar is gradually blended into the mix at a temperature between 90-100° C. and further comprising adding one or more of a thickener, a sweetener, a colorant, and/or a salt and mixing for at least 5 minutes.
17 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the water is in the range of 8-12% w/w and/or the sodium chloride is in the range 0.4-1.6% w/w.
18 . The composition of claim 7 , wherein the coloring agent is caramel or carbon black.
19 . The composition of claim 8 , wherein the medicament is a veterinary medicament.