Poly(-amino ester) Microparticles for Micronutrient Fortification

Micronutrient deficiency is a world-wide issue impacting almost 400 million preschool-aged children and 1.2 billion non-pregnant women of reproductive age. This technology discloses the formula and creation of micronutrients encapsulated by microparticles (MPs) useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases caused by micronutrient deficiency. Stabilizing micronutrients by encapsulating them with polymers allows for their introduction in food fortification efforts at any stage of the food production process. 

Researchers

Ana Jaklenec / Robert Langer / Ruiqing Xiao / Linzixuan Rhoda Zhang

Departments: David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Res, Office of the Institute Professors
Technology Areas: Agriculture & Food: Nutrition / Chemicals & Materials: Catalysis & Synthesis, Polymers / Drug Delivery: Microparticles & Nanoparticles
Impact Areas: Healthy Living

  • poly(beta-amino ester) microparticles for micronutrient fortification
    United States of America | Pending
  • poly(beta-amino ester) microparticles for micronutrient fortification
    European Patent Convention | Pending

Technology 

Microencapsulation ensures the efficient release of protected micronutrients from the delivery platform, resulting in high bioavailability for absorption into the digestive system. MPs fabricated from biodegradable, natural product-based polymers can reduce regulatory barriers from a safety perspective and mitigate long-term environmental risks associated with large-scale implementation. Encapsulation of various micronutrients in biodegradable polymers dramatically improves stability during storage and exposure to high temperatures. Micronutrient release is triggered by stomach acids, providing excellent selectivity for the digestive system.  

Problem Addressed 

Globally, micronutrient deficiencies affect approximately two billion people, causing up to two million childhood deaths per year. Despite global initiatives to address these micronutrient deficiencies, specific micronutrient stability issues continue to hinder food fortification efforts. MPs encapsulating micronutrients offer a protective layer that shields the unstable cargo from the external environment. These free-flowing powders can be easily incorporated into food matrix processing, delivering essential micronutrients directly to the human digestive system.   

Advantages 

  • Stabilizes micronutrients for fortification of food products. 
  • Addresses global micronutrient deficiencies. 
  • Provides a safe, biodegradable delivery method for micronutrients. 
  • Microparticles offer exceptional stability for micronutrients during storage and cooking, ensuring they remain biologically active. 
  • Made from biodegradable, natural product-based polymers, reducing regulatory barriers and long-term environmental risks. 
  • Microencapsulation ensures efficient dissociation in the digestive system, leading to high bioavailability for human absorption. 
  • Suitable for delivering a wide range of agents, making it suitable for various health interventions. 

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