A method and an apparatus are described for the generation of microparticles containing an immobilized functional component, where the following measures are proposed: spraying a liquid (32) containing a soluble alginate and a functional component consisting of molecules or nanoparticles to generate a stream (60) of droplets, directing the stream (60) of droplets onto a precipitation bath (16) and capturing the droplets therein by application of high voltage (14), precipitating the droplets in the precipitation bath (16) via a precipitation liquid (18) containing an alginate complexing agent, such that the droplets are solidified to form microparticles (10) containing the functional component and extracting the microparticles (10) from the precipitation bath (16).

A method and an apparatus are described for the generation of microparticles containing an immobilized functional component, where the following measures are proposed: spraying a liquid (32) containing a soluble alginate and a functional component consisting of molecules or nanoparticles to generate a stream (60) of droplets, directing the stream (60) of droplets onto a precipitation bath (16) and capturing the droplets therein by application of high voltage (14), precipitating the droplets in the precipitation bath (16) via a precipitation liquid (18) containing an alginate complexing agent, such that the droplets are solidified to form microparticles (10) containing the functional component and extracting the microparticles (10) from the precipitation bath (16).

In one aspects of the invention, a microcapsule includes a film encapsulating a material. The film is formed by complexation of at least two mutually attractive components initially present in an aqueous dispersion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The at least one first component is initially present in the continuous phase and the at least one second component is initially present in the dispersed phase. According to another aspect of the invention, provided is a process for forming microcapsules including the step of injecting a dispersed phase having at least a first component into a continuous phase having at least a second component, where the first component and the second component are mutually attractive, such that a film is formed by complexation of the first charged component and the second charged component.

In one aspects of the invention, a microcapsule includes a film encapsulating a material. The film is formed by complexation of at least two mutually attractive components initially present in an aqueous dispersion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase. The at least one first component is initially present in the continuous phase and the at least one second component is initially present in the dispersed phase. According to another aspect of the invention, provided is a process for forming microcapsules including the step of injecting a dispersed phase having at least a first component into a continuous phase having at least a second component, where the first component and the second component are mutually attractive, such that a film is formed by complexation of the first charged component and the second charged component.

Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

Comestible products, for example beverage products, are disclosed containing encapsulated probiotic bacteria having resistance to subjection to at least thermal and acidic conditions. Beverage products include at least one aqueous liquid and capsules comprising a gelled mixture of alginate and denatured protein, and probiotic bacteria entrapped within the gelled mixture. The average particle size of the capsules is optionally less than 1000 microns (μm) in diameter, such as less than 500 μm in diameter. Methods are provided for making such encapsulated probiotics by providing a mixture comprising sodium alginate, denatured protein and active probiotic cells, and combining the mixture with a divalent cation to initiate cold gelation of the sodium alginate and denatured protein to form a second mixture. The second mixture is passed through an opening having a diameter of less than 1000 μm to form capsules. The weight ratio of protein to alginate is from 1:1 to 9:1.

The present disclosure relates to immobilization of a cell using a carboxylated surface by contacting the carboxylated surface with a sample comprising the cell for a sufficient time to permit the cell to bind to the carboxylated surface. The immobilized cell may then be separated from the remainder of the sample and further manipulated to isolate, concentrate, and/or analyze the cell or a component thereof.

The present disclosure relates to immobilization of a cell using a carboxylated surface by contacting the carboxylated surface with a sample comprising the cell for a sufficient time to permit the cell to bind to the carboxylated surface. The immobilized cell may then be separated from the remainder of the sample and further manipulated to isolate, concentrate, and/or analyze the cell or a component thereof.

A method for ex vivo treating blood or plasma is provided. The method includes (a) ex vivo contacting a blood or plasma with an enzyme composition to react the enzyme composition with the blood or plasma, wherein the enzyme composition is capable of eliminating electronegative low-density lipoprotein from the blood or plasma by the activity of the enzyme composition, and the enzyme composition is selected from a group consisting of: a first enzyme for eliminating a glycan residue of an electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL); a second enzyme for eliminating ceramide carried by a electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL); and a combination thereof; and (b) terminating contact between the blood or plasma and the enzyme composition to terminate the reaction of the enzyme composition with the blood or plasma.

A method for ex vivo treating blood or plasma is provided. The method includes (a) ex vivo contacting a blood or plasma with an enzyme composition to react the enzyme composition with the blood or plasma, wherein the enzyme composition is capable of eliminating electronegative low-density lipoprotein from the blood or plasma by the activity of the enzyme composition, and the enzyme composition is selected from a group consisting of: a first enzyme for eliminating a glycan residue of an electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL); a second enzyme for eliminating ceramide carried by a electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL); and a combination thereof; and (b) terminating contact between the blood or plasma and the enzyme composition to terminate the reaction of the enzyme composition with the blood or plasma.