Abstract: A method of producing hollow inorganic microparticles each having a raspberry-like structure is disclosed herein. The method includes forming a suspension comprising hierarchical microparticles directly from mixing of aqueous reactants, wherein the aqueous reactants are aqueous solutions each containing a reactant for forming the hierarchical microparticles, wherein the hierarchical microparticles comprise CaCO3 vaterite particles, adding a base, adding a silica precursor, wherein the base is added prior to adding the silica precursor, and removing the hierarchical microparticles with an acid to obtain the hollow inorganic microparticles each having the raspberry-like structure. A hollow inorganic microparticle having a raspberry-like structure produced according to the method is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a core-shell composite material comprising: a core optionally comprising an active ingredient compound; a shell structure comprising at least two alternating layers; the alternating layers being a protein layer and a polyphenol layer; and optionally a polyelectrolyte layer interfacing said core and said shell structure, said polyelectrolyte layer being disposed adjacent to said protein layer or said polyphenol layer, wherein said shell structure is selected to be resistant to degradation under gastric conditions but is degradable by one or more intestinal enzymes. In a preferred embodiment the protein is bovine serum albumin (BSA) or pepsin, the polyphenol layer is tannin or tannic acid, and the shell structure is degradable by pepsin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a core-shell composite material comprising: a core optionally comprising an active ingredient compound; a shell structure comprising at least two alternating layers; the alternating layers being a protein layer and a polyphenol layer; and optionally a polyelectrolyte layer interfacing said core and said shell structure, said polyelectrolyte layer being disposed adjacent to said protein layer or said polyphenol layer, wherein said shell structure is selected to be resistant to degradation under gastric conditions but is degradable by one or more intestinal enzymes. In a preferred embodiment the protein is bovine serum albumin (BSA) or pepsin, the polyphenol layer is tannin or tannic acid, and the shell structure is degradable by pepsin.