| abstract |
Chemical biological agents to be encapsulated are blended into an aqueous dispersion of an unmodified starch comprising about 5% to about 25% by weight amylose. The dispersion, having an initial starch solids content of about 20% by weight, is characterized by completely disrupted starch granules and completely disassociated amylose molecules that are not significantly depolymerized. Subsequent drying is accomplished by reassociation of the amylose molecules which converts the dispersion into a protective matrix and binds the agents within the interstices of the reassociating starch chains. Rate of release of agents to the environment can be altered by varying the proportion of amylose in the starch. Encapsulation of biologically active compositions provides protection against degradative environmental conditions, improves safety in handling, and slows the release of such compounds to the surrounding medium. |