Patent ID: 8142831

Claim:
A method for encapsulating a readily oxidizable component comprising: a) forming an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a readily oxidizable component and a film-forming component comprising a protein, b) admixing said oil-in-water emulsion with at least one matrix material, a liquid plasticizer for plasticizing said matrix material, and an acidic antioxidant for preventing oxidation of said readily oxidizable component, said admixing being such so as to obtain a formable mixture wherein said at least one matrix material contains said acidic antioxidant and encapsulates oil droplets of said oil-in water emulsion, wherein said film forming component surrounds said oil droplets, and said matrix material and said acid antioxidant surround the film-coated oil droplets c) forming said formable mixture into pieces, and d) drying said pieces to obtain dried pieces, said plasticizer providing mobility for said acidic antioxidant in the dried pieces.