Abstract: The invention is directed to a seamless alginate capsule having a film encapsulating a fill material, in which the film comprises alginate, noncrystallizing plasticizer, and glycerol and in which a ratio by weight of noncrystallizing plasticizer to glycerol in the film is between about 1:1 and about 8:1. The invention is also directed to a method of making the seamless alginate capsules and to capsules made by the method. The capsules have excellent breaking strength and are resistant to oxidation of the fill material.

Abstract: The invention relates to composites comprising a polysaccharide gelled within pores of a foam, methods of preparation, and uses thereof, for example, in biomedical applications such as cell culture media and implants, controlled release delivery systems, food applications, industrial applications, and personal care applications such as cosmetic and oral hygiene. The composites of the present invention are simple to formulate using few steps and are useful for entrapping heat-sensitive components, such as cells, drugs, flavors or fragrances within the polysaccharide gel. In addition, the invention provides for a composite able to gently immobilize fragile components, such as living cells, without exposing such components to shear forces.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to seamless capsules and methods for making seamless capsules having a high oil content as described herein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to seamless capsules, and methods for making seamless capsules, made from a process involving the steps of: (a) preparing an emulsion comprising oil, water, an emulsifier, and at least one of a water-soluble monovalent metal salt, polyvalent metal salt, and an acid, wherein said oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said emulsion; with the proviso that said emulsion does not contain marmelo mucilage; and (b) adding portions of said emulsion to an aqueous gelling bath comprised of at least one ionic polysaccharide thereby encapsulating said portions of said emulsion in a polysaccharide gel membrane, and optionally (c) drying the resulting capsules by removing water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dried seamless capsule comprising an alginate shell membrane encapsulating fill material, wherein: (i) the alginate shell membrane comprises a polyvalent metal ion alginate having: (a) an average M content of from 50%-62% by weight based on the weight of the M and G content, and (b) a viscosity of 35 to 80 cps; (ii) the alginate shell membrane encapsulates an oil present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of the fill material; (iii) the dried seamless capsule has a disintegration time of less than 12 minutes in an intestinal buffer after pretreatment for 20 minutes; and (iv) the dried seamless capsule has a dry break force strength of at least 7 kg.

Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.

Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.

Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.

Abstract: Novel capsules where an outer shell comprises a polysaccharide, e.g. an alginate. In the capsules there is an emulsion comprising a fatty acid oil mixture and at least one surfactant. Preferred fatty acid oils are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and doccosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to seamless capsules and methods for making seamless capsules having a high oil content as described herein. More specifically, the present invention is directed to seamless capsules, and methods for making seamless capsules, made from a process involving the steps of: (a) preparing an emulsion comprising oil, water, an emulsifier, and at least one of a water-soluble monovalent metal salt, polyvalent metal salt, and an acid, wherein said oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said emulsion; with the proviso that said emulsion does not contain marmelo mucilage; and (b) adding portions of said emulsion to an aqueous gelling bath comprised of at least one ionic polysaccharide thereby encapsulating said portions of said emulsion in a polysaccharide gel membrane, and optionally (c) drying the resulting capsules by removing water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to seamless capsules and methods for making seamless capsules having a high oil content. More specifically, the present invention is directed to seamless capsules, and methods for making seamless capsules, made from a process involving the steps of: (a) preparing an emulsion comprising oil, water, an emulsifier, and at least one of a water-soluble monovalent metal salt, polyvalent metal salt, and an acid, wherein said oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said emulsion; with the proviso that said emulsion does not contain marmelo mucilage; and (b) adding portions of said emulsion to an aqueous gelling bath comprised of at least one ionic polysaccharide, thereby encapsulating said portions of said emulsion in a polysaccharide gel membrane, and optionally (c) drying the resulting capsules by removing water. The capsule is, for example, an alignate gel. The capsules of the invention are suitable for a variety of applications, e.g.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a seamless alginate capsule having a film encapsulating a fill material, in which the film comprises alginate, noncrystallizing plasticizer, and glycerol and in which a ratio by weight of noncrystallizing plasticizer to glycerol in the film is between about 1:1 and about 8:1. The invention is also directed to a method of making the seamless alginate capsules and to capsules made by the method. The capsules have excellent breaking strength and are resistant to oxidation of the fill material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a dried seamless capsule comprising an alginate shell membrane encapsulating fill material, wherein: (i) said alginate shell membrane comprises a polyvalent metal ion alginate having: (a) an average M content of from 50%-62% by weight based on the weight of the M and G content, and (b) a viscosity of 35 to 80 cps when measured as a monovalent metal ion alginate in a 3.5% water solution at 20° C. using a Brookfield LV viscometer at 60 rpm and spindle #1; (ii) said alginate shell membrane encapsulates an oil present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said fill material; (iii) said dried seamless capsule has a disintegration time of less than 12 minutes in an intestinal buffer after pretreatment for 20 minutes in a solution of 0.1 M NaCl and HCl, pH of 3, at 37° C.; and (iv) said dried seamless capsule has a dry break force strength of at least 7 kg. The present invention is also directed to methods of making and using such dried seamless capsules.

Abstract: An oral, immunostimulating material for mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles comprising an immunostimulating amount of an alginate having a M content of at least 40% and an acceptable carriers.

Abstract: An oral, immunostimulating material for mammals, birds, and reptiles comprising an immunostimulating amount of an alginate having a M content of at least 40% and an acceptable carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.

Abstract: An oral, immunostimulating material for mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles comprising an immunostimulating amount of an alginate having a M content of at least 40% and an acceptable carriers.

Abstract: An apparatus for a continuous encapsulation process is provided. The apparatus is a vibrating tubing used alone, in series, or in combination with an encapsulation apparatus, which is used alone or in series. The vibrating tubing is a flat coil, a standing spiral, or a flume. The encapsulation apparatus includes a winding having coils disposed in an aqueous gelling solution. The winding is rotatable about its longitudinal center axis. The winding has adjacently spaced coils forming a plurality of chambers. Objects to be encapsulated are added to the apparatus such that when the winding is rotated, the chambers transport a volume of objects through the length winding in the aqueous gelling solution in a predetermined time.

Abstract: Gelled biopolymer based foams are disclosed. The gelled foams comprise a cross-linked biopolymer, preferably alginate; optionally, a foaming agent such as hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose; and a plasticizer, preferably glycerin sorbitol, or a mixture thereof, that forms the predominant portion of the gelled foam. The foams are soft and pliable and have high absorbency. They are used as wound dressing materials, controlled release delivery systems, cell culture, barrier media for preventing tissue adherence, and bioabsorbable implants. They also have various personal care applications, especially in oral hygiene, and can be used in food applications.

Abstract: Gelled biopolymer based foams are disclosed. The gelled foams comprise a cross-linked biopolymer, preferably alginate; optionally, a foaming agent such as hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose; and a plasticizer, preferably glycerin sorbitol, or a mixture thereof, that forms the predominant portion of the gelled foam. The foams are soft and pliable and have high absorbency. They are used as wound dressing materials, controlled release delivery systems, cell culture, barrier media for preventing tissue adherence, and bioabsorbable implants. They also have various personal care applications, especially in oral hygiene, and can be used in food applications.

Abstract: Gelled biopolymer based foams are disclosed. The gelled foams comprise a cross-linked biopolymer, preferably alginate; optionally, a foaming agent such as hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose; and a plasticizer, preferably glycerin sorbitol, or a mixture thereof, that forms the predominant portion of the gelled foam. The foams are soft and pliable and have high absorbency. They are used as wound dressing materials, controlled release delivery systems, cell culture, barrier media for preventing tissue adherence, and bioabsorbable implants. They also have various personal care applications, especially in oral hygiene, and can be used in food applications.