摘要 |
A solid active, sensitive encapsulant and/or a liquid encapsulant component which contains an active, sensitive encapsulant, is admixed with at least one plasticizable matrix material, a matrix component which is substantially non-plasticizable at temperatures lower than the decomposition temperature of the encapsulant and which increases the rate of release of the encapsulant from the matrix, and a liquid plasticizer to obtain a formable, extrudable, cuttable, mixture or dough. The matrix material is plasticized by the liquid plasticizer and the encapsulation of the active encapsulant, such as a live microorganism or an enzyme, is accomplished at a low temperature and under low shear conditions. The active component is encapsulated and/or embedded in the plasticizable matrix component or material in a continuous process to produce discrete, solid particles. The formable mixture may be obtained without or substantially no cooking or gelatinizing of the matrix ingredients. A solid encapsulant may be dry-blended with the plasticizable matrix material and the substantially non-plasticizable matrix material, followed by plasticization of the plasticizable matrix material.
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