Abstract: A water-resistant hydrophilic coating comprising a hydrophilic base material, a lipid, an adhesion promoter, a surfactant and a crosslinking agent. A method of preparing a water-resistant polymer surface comprising preparing an adhesive coating comprising a hydrophilic base material, a lipid, an adhesion promoter, a surfactant and a crosslinking agent, applying said adhesive coating to a polymer surface, and heat treating said polymer surface under conditions sufficient to allow cross linking of the adhesive coating. A method of increasing the absorption of water-based or oil-based dyes, inks, or fragrances in a hydrophilic coating comprising incorporating a lipid into the hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A water-resistant hydrophilic coating composition comprising a hydrophilic base material, an adhesion promoter, a surfactant and a crosslinking agent. A method of applying a water-resistant hydrophilic coating to a hydrophobic surface comprising; preparing the water-resistant hydrophilic coating, spraying the water-resistant hydrophilic coating on the hydrophobic surface and heating the coated surface. A method of water-proofing a polysaccharide coating comprising crosslinking the starch hydroxyl functionalities.

Abstract: Polysaccharide-based shells are provided having use for forming water-dispersible microcapsular delivery systems for both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and other active agents. These shells are prepared by intimately blending a solubilized polysaccharide with a lipophilic material to produce spherical droplets of the lipophilic material coated with the polysaccharide, diluting the emulsion with a solvent, and isolating the polysaccharide shells from the diluted emulsion.