Microencapsulation of active agents
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for masking the taste of an agent. In certain aspects, the invention comprises a microsphere and at least one sweetener therein. In another aspect, the invention comprises an edible material comprising at least one microsphere comprising an agent and at least one microsphere comprising a sweetener.
1. A microsphere comprising a sweetener and at least one material selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid, glycerol, esters, or a combination thereof, wherein the microsphere further comprises elaidic acid or glyceryl dibehenate.
2. The microsphere of claim 1 , wherein the microsphere further comprises stearic acid.
3. The microsphere of claim 2 , wherein the microsphere further comprises a lipid.
4. The microsphere of claim 3 , wherein the lipid is selected from the group consisting of linoleic acid, cocoa butter, and coconut oil.
5. The microsphere of claim 2 , wherein the sweetener is selected from the group consisting of an artificial sweetener, a sugar alcohol, and a natural sweetener.
6. The microsphere of claim 5 , wherein the sweetener is sucralose.
7. An edible material comprising at least one microsphere comprising at least one material selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid, glycerol, esters, or a combination thereof, wherein the microsphere further comprises elaidic acid or glyceryl dibehenate.
8. The edible material of claim 7 , comprising a therapeutic agent.
9. The edible material of claim 8 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of a protein, a peptide, a peptidomimetic, an antibody, a ribozyme, a small molecule chemical compound, a nucleic acid, a plasmid vector, and an antisense nucleic acid molecule.
10. The edible material of claim 7 , wherein the edible material comprises a microsphere comprising an agent and a microsphere comprising a sweetener.
11. The edible material of claim 7 , wherein the edible material is selected from the group consisting of an edible oral strip, a gummy candy, a hard candy, chocolate, sugar-free chocolate, ice cream, pudding, apple sauce, and yogurt.
12. The edible material of claim 7 , comprising an imaging agent.
13. The edible material of claim 7 , comprising a diagnostic agent.
14. The edible material of claim 7 , comprising a contrast agent.
15. The edible material of claim 7 , comprising a labeling agent.