Patent ID: 7435846
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: A23K,A23L,A23V,A61K,A61P,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A process for obtaining stable microemulsions that are composed of a solubilizate of derivatives of oxycarotenoids of short chain organic acids, selected from the group consisting of diacetates and dipropionates of lutein, 3′epilutein, zeaxanthin, iso zeaxanthin, meso zeaxanthin, capsanthin, capsorubin, astaxanthin, and cryptoxanthin monoacetate and monopropionate, which are melted down from the naturally occurring original lipid vegetable matrix in the presence of lipids, phospholipids, fatty acids, emulsifiers and moisture, which process comprises the steps of: a) adding diacetate and dipropionate derivatives of said oxycarotenoids with sterols, fatty acids, lipids, phospholipids, emulsifiers, or mixtures thereof, derived from a vegetable matrix in a reactor; b) raising the temperature of the reactor to about 60 to about 70° C.; c) adding a surfactant to obtain a mixture of derivatives of oxycarotenoids and a surfactant; d) stirring the mixture obtained in step c) for a period of time sufficient to homogenize the mixture; e) adding to the mixture obtained in step d) from about 5% to about 50%, by weight, of a phospholipid; f) stirring the mixture obtained in step e) for a period of time sufficient to homogenize the mix; g) adding to the mixture obtained in step f) about 1% to about 40%, by weight, of water; and h) raising the temperature of the mixture obtained in step g) to about 90 to about 110° C. while maintaining the pH at from about 5.5 to about 8.5 and refluxing the mixture for a period of time sufficient to melt the crystals of the oxycarotenoids derivatives in the non polar lipid matrix whereby microemulsions of the oxycarotenoids derivatives are formed.