Patent ID: 6093348
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: A61K,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for the manufacture of a solid carotenoid powder containing carotenoid beadlets, the process comprising: 1) melting an aqueous suspension containing(a) carotenoid crystals in an amount sufficient to provide 10% to 25% by weight in a solid carotenoid powder,(b) a surfactant in an amount sufficient to provide 0.1% to 6% by weight in the solid carotenoid powder, and(c) a protective colloid in an amount sufficient to provide 5% to 75% by weight in the solid carotenoid powder in a heat exchanger wherein the residence time of the carotenoid crystals in the heat exchanger is less than 60 seconds;2) homogenizing the melted aqueous carotenoid suspension at a pressure of 1,400 to 40,000 p.s.i. to obtain a carotenoid emulsion; and3) converting the carotenoid emulsion into a dry powder by a spray process, thereby forming a solid carotenoid powder containing carotenoid beadlets having a matrix with a mean particle size of carotenoid particles within the beadlet matrix from 0.1 to 0.5 microns.