Abstract: Provided herein is a particle made of a protein or a peptide covalently bound to a prebiotic carbohydrate, thereby forming a conjugate. The particle may be used for selectively promoting probiotic bacteria growth in the intestine, particularly the colon and may be used to selectively deliver additional probiotic growth factors, or other bioactives and drugs to probiotic bacteria in the intestine, particularly to the colon. Furthermore, provided herein are methods for preparing the particle, and for delivering a substance bound to, or entrapped within the particle, into the gastrointestinal tract of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a nanoparticle made of: a potato protein; and a bioactive compound bound to the potato protein. The invention further provides foods or beverages, including clear ones, which are supplemented with the nanoparticles made of: a potato protein; and a hydrophobic bioactive compound bound to the potato protein. The process of making the nanoparticles of the invention, and methods for supplementing foods or beverages with hydrophobic bioactive compounds via the nanoparticles of the invention and are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein is a particle made of a protein covalently bound to a prebiotic carbohydrate, thereby forming a conjugate, wherein at least two said conjugates are covalently crosslinked via their carbohydrate units (e.g. by a phospho-di-ester bond). The said particle may be used for selectively promoting probiotic bacteria growth in the colon and may be used to deliver additional probiotic growth factors, or other bioactives and drugs to the colon. Furthermore, provided herein are methods for preparing the particle, and for delivering a substance bound to, or entrapped within the particle, into the gastrointestinal tract of a subject in need thereof.

Abstract: Casein particles, such as micelles or clusters thereof having encapsulated therein hydrophobic and/or water insoluble therapeutically active agents such as hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents, which are otherwise administered parenterally, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the casein particles and uses thereof in the treatment of cancer and other conditions treatable by the encapsulated therapeutically active agent are also disclosed. Further disclosed are processes of preparing the casein particles. The disclosed casein particles are useful for orally delivering the therapeutically active encapsulated therein and can further be used for controllably releasing the agents in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a the field of food technology and delivery of hydrophobic biologically active compounds, particularly nutrients, via food products and beverages. In particular the present invention provides isolated casein micelles useful for the encapsulation of hydrophobic nutrients, therapeutic and cosmetic compounds, compositions thereof and methods of preparing the micelles.

Abstract: This invention provides a nanoparticle made of: a potato protein; and a bioactive compound bound to the potato protein. The invention further provides foods or beverages, including clear ones, which are supplemented with the nanoparticles made of: a potato protein; and a hydrophobic bioactive compound bound to the potato protein. The process of making the nanoparticles of the invention, and methods for supplementing foods or beverages with hydrophobic bioactive compounds via the nanoparticles of the invention and are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of food technology and delivery of hydrophobic biologically active compounds, particularly nutrients, via food products and beverages. In particular the present invention provides isolated casein micelles useful for the encapsulation of hydrophobic nutrients, therapeutic and cosmetic compounds, compositions thereof and methods of preparing the micelles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to co-assembled nanoparticle composition comprising denatured ?-lactoglobulin and at least one nutraceutical compound, specifically polyphenols, such as EGCG, compositions comprising same and methods of preparing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to co-assembled nanoparticle composition comprising denatured ?-lactoglobulin and at least one nutraceutical compound, specifically polyphenols, such as EGCG, compositions comprising same and methods of preparing thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein (or peptide)-polysaccharide (or oligosaccharide) conjugates (PPC) as nanocapsular vehicles for nanoencapsulation of biologically active compounds, particularly nutraceuticals. The PPCs efficiently protect both hydrophobic (i.e., water insoluble) and hydrophilic (i.e., water soluble) nutraceuticals, to provide a composition which, when added to a beverage, disperses so as to provide a clear or transparent solution. In some embodiments, the PPCs are Maillard reaction based PPCs. Advantageously, the conjugates of the present invention protect the nutraceuticals from degradation, both during shelf life and upon gastric digestion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for the enrichment of food and/or beverage and to a method of preparing such composition. The composition comprises additive loaded beta-casein micelles which are of a diameter of about 100 nm or less. These nano-sized beta-casein assemblies are formed at pH values which are preferably one or more pH units above or below the pI of the protein (pI=5.3). More preferably the beta-casein nano-assemblies are formed at a pH range between about 6.0 and about 8, or between about 2.0 and about 4.2. The invention provides vehicles for delivery of additives via transparent beverages and other foods and drinks and/or acidic foods and drinks and/or non fat foods and drinks.

Abstract: The present invention provides colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles comprising beta-lactoglobulin and a polysaccharide which are transparent when diluted in aqueous media. In particular these colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles are useful as delivery vehicles of hydrophobic nutraceuticals and fat-soluble vitamins, for enrichment of food products, especially of transparent beverages and other non-fat or low fat foods and drinks. The present invention further provides methods for the preparation of said colloidally stable dispersions.

Abstract: The present invention provides protein (or peptide)-polysaccharide (or oligosaccharide) conjugates (PPC) as nanocapsular vehicles for nanoencapsulation of biologically active compounds, particularly nutraceuticals. The PPCs efficiently protect both hydrophobic (i.e., water insoluble) and hydrophilic (i.e., water soluble) nutraceuticals, to provide a composition which, when added to a beverage, disperses so as to provide a clear or transparent solution. In some embodiments, the PPCs are Maillard reaction based PPCs. Advantageously, the conjugates of the present invention protect the nutraceuticals from degradation, both during shelf life and upon gastric digestion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to co-assembled nanoparticle composition comprising denatured ?-lactoglobulin and at least one nutraceutical compound, specifically polyphenols, such as EGCG, compositions comprising same and methods of preparing thereof.

Abstract: Casein particles, such as micelles or clusters thereof, having encapsulated therein hydrophobic and/or water insoluble therapeutically active agents such as hydrophobic chemotherapeutic agents, which are otherwise administered parenterally, are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions containing the casein particles and uses thereof in the treatment of cancer and other conditions treatable by the encapsulated therapeutically active agent are also disclosed. Further disclosed are processes of preparing the casein particles. The disclosed casein particles are useful for orally delivering the therapeutically active encapsulate and can further be used for controllably releasing the agents in the gastrointestinal tract.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition for the enrichment of food and/or beverage and to a method of preparing such composition. The composition comprises additive loaded beta-casein micelles which are of a diameter of about 100 nm or less. These nano-sized beta-casein assemblies are formed at pH values which are preferably one or more pH units above or below the pI of the protein (pI=5.3). More preferably the beta-casein nano-assemblies are formed at a pH range between about 6.0 and about 8, or between about 2.0 and about 4.2. The invention provides vehicles for delivery of additives via transparent beverages and other foods and drinks and/or acidic foods and drinks and/or non fat foods and drinks.

Abstract: The present invention provides colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles comprising beta-lactoglobulin and a polysaccharide which are transparent when diluted in aqueous media. In particular these colloidally stable dispersions of nanoparticles are useful as delivery vehicles of hydrophobic nutraceuticals and fat-soluble vitamins, for enrichment of food products, especially of transparent beverages and other non-fat or low fat foods and drinks. The present invention further provides methods for the preparation of said colloidally stable dispersions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of food technology and delivery of hydrophobic biologically active compounds, particularly nutrients, via food products and beverages. In particular the present invention provides isolated casein micelles useful for the encapsulation of hydrophobic nutrients, therapeutic and cosmetic compounds, compositions thereof and methods of preparing the micelles.