Selenium-containing capsule structure

Abstract

Selenium-containing capsule structure (1), comprising: - a shell (10) containing a selenium compound, a selenium-containing composition or a combination thereof; and - a recording room (20) located in the shell (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a selenium-containing capsule structure according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Selenium is one of the 14 trace elements necessary for the growth and development of humans and animals. It has a strong antioxidant effect and can delay aging, improve thyroid function, improve male infertility, protect the liver, reduce the risk of cancer, prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes, support weight loss, and regulate the immune system.

[0003] The recommended daily intake of selenium for adults is 55 micrograms (µg) to 400 µg. Selenium is commonly found in meat and seafood, but Taiwan has a large vegetarian population, and vegetarians often suffer from selenium deficiency. However, if the human body ingests selenium in high concentrations, it can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as acute poisoning with symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmia, hemolysis, liver necrosis, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, and, in severe cases, even death. Long-term intake of selenium in high concentrations can lead to chronic selenium poisoning, with symptoms including hair loss, brittle and falling nails, gastrointestinal disturbances, baldness, skin rashes, fatigue, liver damage, and nervous system disorders (numbness and weakness of the limbs).Therefore, accurately supplementing the right amount of selenium is one of the most important issues in dietary supplements.

[0004] Currently, most commercially available selenium-containing dietary supplements are manufactured by encapsulating a selenium-containing dietary supplement composition in soft or hard capsules. This dietary supplement composition can be in powder or liquid form (oil or water). There are some technical problems in manufacturing. Since the current amount of selenium supplements is in the microgram range, conventional selenium materials are in powder form (its salts or extracts are all dry powders), and the volume of each drug (such as each tablet or capsule) is very small. Therefore, during the manufacturing process of drugs (e.g., when filling a capsule with the drug), the distribution of the selenium-containing powder throughout the powder material is very likely to cause the selenium content in each drug (e.g.,The selenium content in the capsule is uneven, requiring additional processing. Since even a small excess of selenium can lead to poisoning, it is difficult to accurately determine the selenium content in each capsule when manufacturing capsules using the conventional method, which can raise food safety concerns due to inaccurate quantification.

[0005] The invention has for its object to provide a selenium-containing capsule structure produced by using an aqueous solution of a water extract of selenium-rich spirulina instead of water, wherein the concentration of the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina can be adjusted to adjust the concentration of selenocysteine ​​in the capsule structure, accurately quantify the selenium content in a single capsule, and reduce food safety concerns, wherein the selenocysteine ​​contained in the capsule structure is derived from selenium-rich spirulina, which can be more easily absorbed by the human body compared to inorganic selenium and can be used to prepare dietary supplements for vegetarians.Furthermore, the technology of this invention can be combined with existing production processes for soft and hard capsules without the need to purchase or adapt equipment, thus causing no additional cost burden.

[0006] The object is achieved according to the invention by a selenium-containing capsule structure having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The selenium-containing capsule structure according to the invention comprises a shell containing a selenium compound, a selenium-containing composition or a combination thereof, and a receiving space located in the shell.

[0008] In some embodiments, the selenium compound is selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to, sodium selenate, sodium selenite, selenium dioxide, selenium citrate, selenoamino acids, small selenoprotein molecules, selenopolysaccharides, and combinations thereof. The selenium concentration in the shell is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg.

[0009] In some embodiments, the selenoamino acid is selenomethionine, selenocysteine, or a combination thereof.

[0010] In some embodiments, the selenium-containing composition is a selenium-containing dietary supplement comprising selenium yeast, plant selenium, nanoselenium, cyanobacterial extract, or a combination thereof. The selenium concentration in the shell is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg.

[0011] According to the invention, the term "nanoselenium" refers to a selenium-containing nanoparticle composition composed of selenium nanoparticles and a dispersant. In some embodiments, the particle diameter of the selenium nanoparticles is 30 nm to 250 nm, or 50 nm to 200 nm, or 100 nm to 150 nm. In some embodiments, the selenium concentration of the nanoselenium is 100 ppm to 1000 ppm, or 200 ppm to 900 ppm, or 300 ppm to 800 ppm, or 400 ppm to 700 ppm, or 500 ppm to 600 ppm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the selenium-containing composition is an aqueous extract of selenium-rich blue-green algae. In some specific embodiments, the aqueous extract of selenium-rich blue-green algae is an aqueous extract of selenium-rich spirulina. According to the invention, selenium-rich cyanobacteria refers to cyanobacteria cultured in a selenium-containing aqueous solution, and selenium-rich spirulina refers to spirulina species cultured in a selenium-containing aqueous solution. In some embodiments, spirulina is cultured for 12 to 72 hours, 24 to 60 hours, or 36 to 48 hours in an aqueous solution containing nanoselenium at a concentration of 500 mg / kg to 1000 mg / kg. Thereafter, the selenium-rich spirulina is recovered.In some embodiments, spirulina is cultured for 12 to 72 hours, 24 to 60 hours, or 36 to 48 hours in an aqueous solution containing nanoselenium at a concentration of 600 mg / kg to 950 mg / kg. The selenium-rich spirulina is then harvested. In some embodiments, spirulina is cultured for 12 to 72 hours, 24 to 60 hours, or 36 to 48 hours in an aqueous solution containing nanoselenium at a concentration of 700 mg / kg to 950 mg / kg. The selenium-rich spirulina is then harvested. In some embodiments, spirulina is cultivated for 12 to 72 hours, 24 to 60 hours, or 36 to 48 hours in an aqueous solution containing nanoselenium at a concentration of 800 mg / kg to 950 mg / kg. The selenium-rich spirulina is then harvested. It is conceivable to harvest selenium-rich blue-green algae using the aforementioned cultivation conditions.

[0013] In some specific embodiments, the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina is prepared in the following steps: (1) Providing selenium-rich spirulina; (2) crushing the selenium-rich spirulina and sieving it with a sieve with a mesh size of 100 to 200 to obtain selenium-rich spirulina fragments; (3) adding the selenium-rich spirulina fragments to water and stirring the mixture at room temperature for 0.5 to 2 hours to obtain an aqueous solution of the water extract of the selenium-rich spirulina, wherein the weight ratio of the selenium-rich spirulina fragments to the bidistilled water is 1:1 to 1:5; and (4) Obtaining the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina after drying the aqueous solution of the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina.

[0014] In some specific embodiments, the selenium-rich spirulina in the aforementioned step (1) is dehydrated selenium-rich spirulina. In some specific embodiments, the selenium-rich spirulina in the aforementioned step (1) is not subjected to a drying step. In some specific embodiments, the weight of the selenium-rich spirulina fragments in the aforementioned step (2) is the wet weight.

[0015] In some specific embodiments, the weight ratio of the selenium-rich spirulina fragments to the double-distilled water in the above-mentioned step (3) is 1:2 to 1:3. In some specific embodiments, the weight ratio of the selenium-rich spirulina fragments to the double-distilled water in the above-mentioned step (3) is 1:2.

[0016] In some specific embodiments, the aqueous solution of the selenium-rich spirulina water extract obtained in the aforementioned step (3) is used for capsule production, and the drying step of step (4) is performed during the capsule formation process. In some specific embodiments, the aqueous solution of the selenium-rich spirulina water extract obtained in the aforementioned step (3) is diluted or concentrated before use for capsule production.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina obtained in step (4) is dissolved in water and then used for capsule production.

[0018] In some embodiments, the selenium concentration in the shell is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg, or 0.2 µg / kg to 4000 µg / kg, or 0.3 µg / kg to 3000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 2000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 1000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 500 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 100 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 10 µg / kg.

[0019] In some specific embodiments, the receiving space is filled with a content that is a powder or a liquid. In some specific embodiments, the liquid may be an oily liquid or an aqueous liquid. In some embodiments, the liquid may be oil, water, or a combination thereof.

[0020] In some specific embodiments, the capsule structure is a soft capsule structure. In some specific embodiments, the capsule structure is a soft capsule structure, and the shell is a sealed shell.

[0021] In some specific embodiments, the capsule structure is a hard capsule structure. In some specific embodiments, the capsule structure is a hard capsule structure, wherein the shell consists of a first capsule shell part and a second capsule shell part, wherein the first capsule shell part and the second capsule shell part are inserted into one another to form the receiving space.

[0022] In some specific embodiments, the shell is made from a first formula solution consisting of a gelatin of 1~20 wt%, a leavening agent of 8~60 wt%, a plasticizer of 8~40 wt%, a selenium-containing aqueous solution of a water extract of selenium-rich spirulina of 15~75 wt%, and titanium dioxide of 1~2 wt%, wherein the selenium concentration of the selenium-containing aqueous solution is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg.

[0023] In some specific embodiments, the shell is made from a second formula solution consisting of a hydrophilic gel of 0.1~18 wt%, a binder of 62~96 wt%, a plasticizer of 0.1~5 wt%, a coagulant of 0.01~5 wt%, and a selenium-containing aqueous solution of 3~10 wt%, wherein the selenium concentration of the selenium-containing aqueous solution is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg.

[0024] In some specific embodiments, the selenium concentration of the selenium-containing aqueous solution may be 0.2 µg / kg to 4000 µg / kg, or 0.3 µg / kg to 3000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 2000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 1000 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 500 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 100 µg / kg, or 0.5 µg / kg to 10 µg / kg.

[0025] In some specific embodiments, the selenium-containing aqueous solution comprises the selenium compound, the selenium-containing composition, or a combination thereof.

[0026] In some specific embodiments, the content is a dietary supplement. In some specific embodiments, the dietary supplement does not contain selenium or selenium compounds. In some embodiments, the content does not contain selenium or selenium compounds.

[0027] In some embodiments, the contents may include probiotics, plant extracts, and / or excipients. In some embodiments, the probiotics may be in the form of a dried bacterial powder. In some embodiments, the plant extract may be in the form of a freeze-dried powder.

[0028] In some specific embodiments, the contents are a first composition comprising: maltodextrin, red yeast rice powder, crystalline cellulose, talc, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the first composition can be used to regulate blood lipids.

[0029] In some specific embodiments, the content is a second composition comprising: maltodextrin, isomalto-oligosaccharide, inulin, indigestible maltodextrin, a heat-deactivated Lactobacillus plantarum composition (L-137, which contains dextrin and heat-deactivated Lactobacillus plantarum powder), and magnesium stearate. In some embodiments, the second composition can be used to improve gastrointestinal function.

[0030] In some specific embodiments, the content is a third composition comprising: Antrodia camphorata powder, freeze-dried powder of complete Antrodia camphorata mycelium fermentation liquid, and magnesium stearate. In some embodiments, the third composition can be used for liver protection.

[0031] In some specific embodiments, the content is a fourth composition comprising: maltodextrin, glucose, freeze-dried Lactobacillus paracasei 33 bacterial powder, freeze-dried Lactobacillus fermentum bacterial powder, fructooligosaccharides, freeze-dried Lactobacillus acidophilus powder, magnesium stearate, and powdered seasonings (including dextrin, gum arabic, seasonings, propylene glycol, microcrystalline cellulose, mixed concentrated tocopherols, and lecithin), wherein the edible oil comprises refined palm oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and / or peanut oil. In some embodiments, the fourth composition can be used for immunomodulation.

[0032] In some specific embodiments, the content is a fifth composition comprising: kefir fermented milk powder, calcium citrate, microcrystalline α-cellulose, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and polyvinylpyrrolidone. In some embodiments, the fifth composition can be used for bone health.

[0033] In some specific embodiments, the content is a sixth composition comprising microcrystalline α-cellulose, Lactobacillus plantarum GKM3, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, the sixth composition can be used to reduce the formation of body fat.

[0034] In some specific embodiments, the content is a seventh composition comprising: microcrystalline α-cellulose, lactose, cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose, gum arabic, magnesium stearate, maltodextrin, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, silicon dioxide, talc, polyethylene glycol, tartrazine, vitamin E (antioxidant), and xanthan gum. In some embodiments, the seventh composition can be used to combat fatigue.

[0035] In some specific embodiments, the content is an eighth composition comprising: a lactic acid bacteria powder composition (Lactobacillus rhamnosus MP108, maltodextrin), maltodextrin, and magnesium stearate. In some specific embodiments, the eighth composition can be used to support the improvement of the allergy-prone physical condition.

[0036] In some specific embodiments, the content is a ninth composition comprising: Lactobacillus reuteri, maltodextrin, and magnesium stearate. In some embodiments, the ninth composition can be used to regulate blood sugar.

[0037] In some specific embodiments, the content is a tenth composition comprising: Cistanche tubulosa extract, potato starch, and magnesium stearate. The Cistanche tubulosa extract contains tubulosa phenylethanoid glycoside. In some embodiments, the tenth composition can be used to delay aging.

[0038] In some specific embodiments, the content is an eleventh composition comprising: sorbitol (sweetener), xylitol (sweetener), a mint flavor composition (including lactose, silicon dioxide, and mint flavor), maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, freeze-dried bacterial powder of Lactobacillus paracasei, and acesulfame potassium (sweetener). In some embodiments, the eleventh composition can be used for dental care.

[0039] In some specific embodiments, the content is a twelfth composition comprising: ferrous biglycinate. In some embodiments, the twelfth composition can be used to promote iron absorption.

[0040] In some specific embodiments, the content is a thirteenth composition comprising maltodextrin, a red yeast rice extract, and a red yeast rice powder composition (including yam flour and Monascus purpureus NTU568). In some embodiments, the thirteenth composition can be used to support blood pressure regulation.

[0041] The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a selenium-containing capsule structure according to the invention, and Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a selenium-containing capsule structure according to the invention.

[0042] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the features apparent from the description and the drawings.

[0043] In the first embodiment in Fig. 1, the capsule structure 1 according to the invention comprises a shell 10 and a receiving space 20. The shell 10 contains a selenium compound, a selenium-containing composition, or a combination thereof. The receiving space 20 is located within the shell 10. The shell 10 consists of a first capsule shell part 11 and a second capsule shell part 12, wherein the first capsule shell part 11 and the second capsule shell part 12 are inserted into one another to form the receiving space 20. The receiving space 20 is filled with a content 30, which is a powder.

[0044] In the second embodiment in Fig. 2, the capsule structure 1 according to the invention comprises a shell 10 and a receiving space 20. The shell 10 contains a selenium compound, a selenium-containing composition, or a combination thereof. The receiving space 20 is located within the shell 10. The receiving space 20 is filled with a content 30, which is a liquid.

[0045] The preparation of the selenium-containing capsule structure according to the invention is described below. Preparation of an aqueous solution of a water extract from selenium-rich spirulina

[0046] Spirulina is cultivated in an aqueous solution of nanoselenium (consisting of selenium nanoparticles and a dispersant, where the particle diameter of the selenium nanoparticles is 30 nm to 250 nm and the selenium concentration is 100 ppm to 1000 ppm) with a selenium concentration of 876 mg / kg to obtain selenium-rich spirulina.

[0047] A specific amount of selenium-rich spirulina was taken and processed using a grinding machine. The crushed spirulina was then sieved through a 100- to 200-mesh sieve to obtain selenium-rich spirulina fragments.

[0048] Then, double-distilled water, which is twice as heavy as the selenium-rich spirulina fragments, was added to the selenium-rich spirulina fragments. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for one hour to obtain an aqueous solution of the selenium-rich spirulina water extract, which contains selenocysteine. Example 1

[0049] First, 20 grams of gelatin and 100 grams of modified corn starch were evenly mixed at room temperature (25°C). Then, 240 grams of sorbitol, 195 grams of the aqueous solution (containing selenocysteine) of the above-mentioned selenium-rich spirulina water extract, and 5 g of titanium dioxide were added and mixed evenly. The mixture was further heated to 80°C, mixed evenly, and then transferred to a fully automated empty capsule production machine (with automatic stirring and heating functions). The mixture was mixed evenly again at 80°C until the mixture was completely dissolved and a smooth paste was formed. A selenium-containing capsule structure consisting of a first capsule shell and a second capsule shell was then manufactured.

[0050] The selenium-containing capsule structure was subjected to liquid chromatography (LC)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (AB SCIEX, Model: 5500). Mass spectrometry (triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, QQQ MS) revealed that the selenium content in the selenium-containing capsule structure was 3.496 mg / kg (including inorganic selenium and organic selenium, of which 6.670 µg / kg was selenocysteine). Example 2

[0051] 1 g of gellan gum, 0.8 g of chitosan, and 0.2 g of potassium chloride were added to 20 g of the aqueous solution (containing selenocysteine) of the above-mentioned selenium-rich spirulina extract and mixed evenly. The mixture was heated to 80°C and mixed evenly. Then, 78 g of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was added. The mixture was mixed evenly again and then fed into a fully automated empty capsule production machine (with automatic stirring and heating functions) and mixed evenly again at 80°C until the mixture was completely dissolved and a smooth mass was formed. A selenium-containing capsule structure consisting of a first capsule shell part and a second capsule shell part was then manufactured.

[0052] The above-mentioned selenium-containing capsule structure was determined by LC-ESI-QQQ and it was found that the selenium content in the selenium-containing capsule structure was 1.315 mg / kg (including inorganic selenium and organic selenium, of which 0.742 µg / kg was selenocysteine).

[0053] As can be seen from Examples 1 and 2, according to the invention, an aqueous solution of a water extract of selenium-rich spirulina is used instead of water, so that the selenium content of the resulting capsule structure can reach 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg.

[0054] The capsule structure of the invention contains selenocysteine ​​from spirulina, which is well absorbed by the human body. The selenium content in the capsule structure can be accurately quantified by adjusting the concentration of the water extract of selenium-rich spirulina. Because selenocysteine ​​comes from the water extract of spirulina, it can be consumed by vegetarians and vegans and does not cause problems such as loss of appetite, heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. For people who need to supplement multiple nutrients at the same time, the capsule structure of the invention can reduce the amount of medication required with each swallow, thus making selenium supplementation more convenient.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described in detail using exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, modifications are possible such that individual features can be omitted or other combinations of features can be implemented, as long as the scope of the appended claims is not exceeded. The disclosure of the present invention includes all combinations of the individual features presented. List of reference symbols 1 Capsule structure 10 Cover 11 first capsule shell part 12 second capsule shell part 20 recording room 30 Contents

Claims

[1] Selenium-containing capsule structure (1) comprising: - a shell (10) containing a selenium compound, a selenium-containing composition or a combination thereof; and - a receiving space (20) located in the casing (10). [2] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the selenium compound is selected from the group consisting of sodium selenate, sodium selenite, selenium dioxide, selenium citrate, selenoamino acids, small selenoprotein molecules, selenium polysaccharides and combinations thereof, wherein the selenium concentration in the shell (10) is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg. [3] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the selenium-containing composition is a selenium-containing food supplement comprising selenium yeast, plant selenium, nanoselenium, cyanobacteria extract or a combination thereof, wherein the selenium concentration in the shell (10) is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg. [4] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the cyanobacterial extract is a water extract of selenium-rich spirulina, the selenium-rich spirulina being obtained after spirulina is cultivated for 12 to 72 hours in an aqueous solution containing nanoselenium at a concentration of 500 mg / kg to 1000 mg / kg. [5] Capsule structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the receiving space (20) is filled with a content (30) which is a powder or a liquid. [6] Capsule structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the capsule structure (1) is a soft capsule structure and the shell (10) is a sealed shell. [7] Capsule structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the capsule structure (1) is a hard capsule structure, wherein the shell (10) consists of a first capsule shell part (11) and a second capsule shell part (12), wherein the first capsule shell part and the second capsule shell part (11, 12) are inserted into one another in order to form the receiving space (20). [8] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 6, characterized by that the shell (10) is made from a first formula solution consisting of a gelatin of 1~20 wt.%, a leavening agent of 8~60 wt.%, a plasticizer of 8~40 wt.%, a selenium-containing aqueous solution of 15~75 wt.% and titanium dioxide of 1~2 wt.%, wherein the selenium concentration of the selenium-containing aqueous solution is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg. [9] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 6, characterized bythat the shell (10) is made of a second formula solution consisting of a hydrophilic gel of 0.1~18 wt%, a binder of 62~96 wt%, a plasticizer of 0.1~5 wt%, a coagulant of 0.01~5 wt% and a selenium-containing aqueous solution of 3~10 wt%, wherein the selenium concentration of the selenium-containing aqueous solution is 0.1 mg / kg to 5000 mg / kg. [10] Capsule structure (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized by that the selenium-containing aqueous solution contains the selenium compound, the selenium-containing composition or a combination thereof.

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