SOLID SOLUTION MADE FROM GUM ARABIC AND AT LEAST ONE LIPOSOLUBLE ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Abstract

Solid solution of gum arabic and at least one liposoluble active ingredient having particles of a size of less than 100 .Math.m and a weight ratio of gum arabic to liposoluble active ingredients of 5:1 to 200:1, obtainable by drying an aqueous solution of gum arabic to achieve a fine-particle dry product; admixing the dry product with a solution or dispersion of the liposoluble active ingredient(s) in an anhydrous solvent in which gum arabic is insoluble; mixing in the solution while homogenizing and further comminuting the dry product to a particle size of less than 100 .Math.m; and removing the solvent at a temperature of less than 70° C., as well as method for the preparation of the solution and the aqueous suspension containing it.

Claims

1. Solid solution of gum arabic and at least one liposoluble active ingredient having particles of a size of less than 100 .Math.m and a weight ratio of gum arabic to liposoluble active ingredients of between 5:1 and 200:1, obtainable by drying of an aqueous solution of gum arabic to produce a fine-particle dry product; admixing the dry product with a solution or dispersion of the liposoluble active ingredient(s) in an anhydrous solvent in which gum arabic is insoluble; mixing in the solution while homogenizing and further fragmenting the dry product to a particle size of less than 100 .Math.m; and removing the solvent at a temperature ≤ 70° C., preferably at ≤ 40° C.

2. Solid solution according to claim 1, characterized in that the particles consisting of gum arabic and at least one liposoluble active ingredient form micelles.

3. Solid solution according to claim 2, characterized in that the weight ratio of gum arabic to liposoluble active ingredients ranges between 50:1 and 100:1.

4. Solid solution according to claim 1, characterized in that 80% of the particles have a size of ≤ 60 .Math.m.

5. Solid solution according to claim 4, characterized in that 80% of the particles have a size of ≤ 40 .Math.m.

6. Solid solution according to claim 1, characterized in that the fine-particle dry product is spray-dried gum arabic.

7. Solid solution according to claim 1, characterized in that the solvent of the solution or dispersion of the liposoluble active ingredient(s) is absolute alcohol.

8. Method for preparing a solid solution of gum arabic and at least one liposoluble active ingredient, characterized by the steps of drying of an aqueous solution of gum arabic to produce a fine-particle dry product; adding to the fine-particle dry product a solution or dispersion of the liposoluble active ingredient(s) in an anhydrous solvent in which gum arabic is insoluble, in a weight ratio of gum arabic to liposoluble active ingredient(s) ranging between 20:1 and 200:1; mixing in the solution while homogenizing and further fragmenting the dry product to a particle size smaller than 100 .Math.m; and removing the solvent at a temperature of ≤ 70° C., preferably at ≤ 40° C.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that spray-dried gum arabic is used as dry product.

10. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that further fragmentation is performed by means of a cutter or sonicator.

11. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that further fragmentation is carried out under high shear until 80% of the particles have a size of ≤ 60 .Math.m.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that further fragmentation is performed until 80% of the particles have a size of ≤ 40 .Math.m.

13. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a weight ratio of gum arabic to liposoluble active ingredients of 1:50 to 1:100 is used.

14. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that absolute alcohol is used as solvent.

15. Aqueous suspension containing 2.0 to 40.0 wt% of the solid solution of gum arabic according to claim 1.

16. Aqueous suspension according to claim 15, characterized in that said suspension additionally contains customary food-grade preservative agents, stabilizers, pH regulators, sweeteners and/or flavoring agents in an amount, taken together, of 0.05 to 1.0 wt%.

17. Aqueous suspension according to claim 15, characterized in that said suspension additionally contains water-soluble vitamins, provitamins, nutrients and/or nutritional supplements in an amount, taken together, of 0.5 to 2.5 wt%.

18. Solid solution according to claim 1, characterized in that the active ingredient or one of the active ingredients is co-enzyme Q10 and/or curcumin.

Description

EXAMPLE

[0039] Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) was used as active ingredient. The procedure involved 100 g of gum arabic powder obtained by spray drying to be mixed with 2.0 g of ubiquinone suspended in 10 ml of absolute alcohol and homogenized in a cutter (Robocoupe) for 90 sec. and fragmented to achieve a particle size of ≤ 100 .Math.m. The obtained fine-particle powder of the solid solution of ubiquinone in gum arabic was allowed to stand at room temperature under light protection until the alcohol had evaporated. The powder is stable when stored in a cool place protected from light.

[0040] 51 g of the powder thus obtained were added to 946.5 g of distilled water together with 0.5 g of citric acid (pH regulator), 1 g of ascorbic acid (stabilizer) and 1 g of potassium sorbate (preservative agent), resulting in a suspension that remained stable for months. This suspension is ready to drink and suitable for immediate oral ingestion of ubiquinone.

[0041] Other substances may be added to the suspension obtained in this way, such as water-soluble vitamins, provitamins, dietary supplements, nutrients, sweeteners and flavors. The addition of vitamins, turmeric extract (curcumin) and passion fruit extract (chrysin) has proven to be particularly suitable. These and other additives can provide escorting assistance.

[0042] Sodium hydrogen carbonate (about 4 g/l) may be added as a release agent. It has been found that the additive accelerates the dissolution of the powder, and in combination with vitamin C also causes foaming.