Importance

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Abstract

Controlled release, discrete, solid particles which contain an encapsulated and/or embedded component such as a heat sensitive destruction or readily oxidizable pharnaceutically, biologically, or nutritionally active component are continuously produced without substantial destruction of the matrix or encapsulant. A release-rate controlling component is incorporated into the matrix to control the rate of release the encapsulant from the particles. the additional component may be a hydrophobic component or a high water binding capacity component for extending the release time. The plasticizable matrix material, such as starch, is admixed with at least one plasticizer, such as water, and at least one release-rate controlling component under low shear mixing conditions to plasticize the plasticizable material without substantially destroying the at least one plasticizable material and to obtain a substantially homogeneous plasticized mass. The plasticizer content is substantially reduced and the temperature of the plasticized mass is substantially reduced prior to admixing the plasticized mass with the encapsulant to avoid substantial destruction of the encapsulant and to obtain a formable, extrudable mixture. The mixture is extruded though a die without substantial or essentially no expansion and cut into discrete, relatively dense particles. Release properties may also be controlled by precoating the encapsulant and/or coating the extruded particles with a film-forming component.

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First Claim