FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
AND
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
Hydrophilic Matrix Beadlet Compositions with Enhanced Bioavailability
OMNIACTIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES LTD., an Indian Company,
registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956 having its registered office
located at Rajan House, Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi, Maharashtra,
India 400025
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in
which it is to be performed

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydrophilic matrix compositions comprised of beadlets containing at least one fat soluble nutrient and effective amount of at least one cellulose polymer with low viscosity along with one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The invention also relates to a process for preparation of these beadlets containing 5% to about 25% of said fat soluble nutrient. These compositions are comprised of fat soluble nutrients embedded in matrix of effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer along with at least one diluent or inert core to form beadlets. Such beadlets can be employed as beverage ingredient or formulated in dosage forms such as sachets for reconstitution and moulded as tablets or capsules for oral administration. These hydrophilic compositions exhibit enhanced bioavailability profile as compared with the marketed formulations containing carotenoids for nutraceutical applications.
Background of the Invention
Beneficial health effects of certain fat soluble nutrients, such as, vitamins A, D. E and K, carotenoids, glycerides, fatty acids such as saturated and monounsaturated acids, capsaicin, Co-enzyme Q-10, Uboquinol as well as curcumin are well known. These nutrients form an important part of the human diet. However, being lipophilic in nature, these nutrients are insoluble in water and pose serious absorption constraints with variable bioavailability profile. Hence development of compositions containing such nutrients is one of the most important areas which are being explored to a great extent.
Carotenoids are a family of yellow to orange-red terpenoid pigments synthesized by photosynthetic organisms and by many bacteria and fungi. They offer protection against oxidative damage and are responsible for the appearance of these colours in plants and animals. Carotenoids are also desirable commercial products used as

additives and colorants in the food industry. Traditionally, carotenoids were obtained by extraction from plants or by direct chemical synthesis. They may be linear or have undergone ring closure at one or both ends. The ring structure(s) may carry hydroxy or keto groups. In all cases, the molecules are predominantly hydrophobic and are usually found in lipid domains of plant and animal tissues. Of the wide range of animal and vegetable foods that comprise the human diet, most contribute at least trace amounts of some of the 600 identified carotenoids and related compounds. However, only a few carotenoids from fruits and vegetables, are ingested in sufficient quantity to be detected in human plasma, the most abundant being beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, along with their more common cis-isomers and some degradation products. Hence it is important to develope the formulations which would exhibit enhanced solubility and thus result in increased absorption in body fluids, to satisfy daily requirement. Stability of these nutrients is also a concern due to their inherent chemical structure which is prone to oxidative and photogenic degradation; hence many efforts are also oriented towards getting stable formulations with robust processing steps which minimize the degradation.
Prior art references deal with numerous methods for preparing microencapsulated or coated compositions of fat soluble nutrients employing suitable excipients in order to increase stability and solubility.
U. S. Patent 7,045,643 relates to a method for preparation of stable microcrystalline lutein formulations which involves dissolution of lutein in organic solvent in presence of antioxidants and vegetable oils, emulsifying and microencapsulating the organic solution with aqueous solution of modified starch using homogenization and evaporating until microcrystallization of lutein occurs. Modified starch such as octenyl succinate which is derived from waxy maize is used here to encapsulate lutein microcrystals. However such hydrophobically modified polymer and vegetable oil used in process of encapsulation may result in lower solubility of lutein

microcrystals in body fluids, also the process for microencapsulation is costly and results in variable rate of active release from the formulation.
U.S. Patent 3,998,753 demonstrates solubilization of carotenoids by preparing solutions of carotenoids in volatile organic solvents, such as halogenated hydrocarbons, and further emulsifying them with an aqueous solution of sodium lauryl sulphate in presence of gelatine as matrix.
U.S. Patent 4,670,247 discloses the preparation of fat soluble beadlets by emulsifying a fat soluble active such as vitamin, the flavoring or aromatic substances with water, gelatin and a reducing sugar. The emulsion is then converted to droplets. The droplets are collected in a starch powder to form particles which are heat treated to form a water insoluble beadlet.
Gelatine matrix used in above prior art document results in the beadlets which are water insoluble and hence may result in lower solubility of the active, thus affecting bioavailability.
However, polymers derived from animals are not preferred in the nutritional products; thus challenging acceptability by users and customers.
U.S. Patent 6,146,671 discloses a method for a heat and/or oxygen-labile compound by encapsulation in a protective matrix of alginate and an additional polymeric material like gelatin, which provides a single layer coating system.
U.S. Patent 7.097,868 relates to microencapsulated beadlet composition prepared by adding sodium/potassium alginate as encapsulating polymer to the solution of lipophilic compound in the presence of a surface active agent and obtaining beadlets with improved stability. Even though sodium/potassium alginate aids for increased stability, its viscosity is at least 10 cps of 1% solution in water, further its concentration used in this invention (about 8 times of lipophilic compound) is very

high which may lead to lag time for release of active from such beadlet formulation. Further such systems may not be robust with respect to in vitro-in vivo co-relation because of viscous matrix formed through which active nutrient has to diffuse out for release in system, thus affecting subsequent absorption of fat soluble nutrient.
U.S. Patent 8,680,161 teaches compositions containing plant gums such as gum Arabic, gum Ghatti, at least one modified starch and one or more fat-soluble active ingredients, wherein the composition comprises less than 40 weight% oil. These compositions need third coating layer for stability of beadlets. Particle size reduction of lipophilic compound was carried out in presence of surfactant which resulted in enhanced stability. However, size reduction of lipophilic compounds may tend to agglomeration of the active and also leads to increased cost making it resource sensitive.
U.S. Patent 8,597,642 describes a multivitamin tablet formulation comprising a protective colloid of a modified starch like sodium octenyl succinate with maltodextrin, carbohydrates or gums along with emulsifier.
Modified starches are made from starches substituted by known chemical methods with hydrophobic moieties. For example starch may be treated with cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides such as succinic anhydrides and substituted with a hydrocarbon chain.
Thus prior art reference aims at use of hydrophobically modified starch derivatives for increasing absorption of fat soluble actives, which is not a desirable option as it may add further to the lipophilic property of active and rendering it Jess soluble in biological system.
U.S. Patent 8,211,471 describes a process for the production of cross-linked beadlets wherein emulsion of caroteniod and vitamin A, polyunsaturated fatty acid, an emulsifier and a reducing sugar is prepared and converted to droplets, these droplets

are coated with finely dispersed calcium silicate powder. These beadlets are characterized by high stability and potency. However, these cross-linked beadlets are water insoluble and hence have limited bioavailability.
U.S. Patent 7,691,297 relates to a process for the manufacture of beadlet preparations of fat-soluble substances in a water-soluble or water-dispersible non-gelling sulfonated lignin matrix along wild com starch wherein an aqueous emulsion of the fat-soluble substance(s) and the matrix component are fed through a spray nozzle. In recent years, the rheological properties of the sulfonated lignin especially at the lower pH, has become an area of concern. This negative viscosity behavior of sulfonated lignins may need to be tackled in such systems to get robust composition with desired solubility profile.
European Patent EP121207IB1 describes beadlets comprising xanthophylls and carotenes and/or retinoids, dietary supplements comprising these beadlets and methods of use are disclosed. The particles of xanthophylls are embedded in highly viscous gelatin-sucrose matrix. Upon oral administration of the developed formulation, the xanthophylls get released in the gastro-intestinal-tract from these formulations, in a slow and erratic fashion due to lower solubility and consequently the bioavailability of the composition is significantly reduced.
Patent application WO2009022034A 1 describes manufacturing carotenoid compositions by dissolving a carotenoid in organic solvent, emulsifying the resulting solution into an aqueous solution of a protective colloid and subsequently removing the solvent from this emulsion. The disadvantage of this process is use of chlorinated hydrocarbons as solvent for the active and its subsequent removal which is an environmental burden, thus making the process extremely expensive from a commercial point of view.

European patent application EP2696704A1 teaches process for the manufacture of lutein powder formulation comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution / suspension of a polysaccharide; adding lutein in modified polysaccharide solution/suspension and milling the suspension followed by drying the suspension. These modified polysaccharides such as glucose (syrup) and modified food starch contain a lipophilic moiety, e. g. a hydrocarbon moiety having a chain length of preferably 5 to 18 carbon atoms in the straight chain.
In view of above, the prior art formulations either aim at increasing stability by using combination of antioxidants and emulsifier or increasing solubility by employing encapsulating polymers such as reducing sugars, gelatine, sodium alginate. polysaccharide or modified starch derivatives. Prior art references also carry out particle size reduction by grinding with surfactant, thus focusing on increased solubility. These polymeric systems employ polymers which are either hydrophobic in nature or having considerable/higher viscosity at the concentrations used in the composition, thus affecting the resultant solubility.
Hence there is a need for alternative and improved stable beadlet formulations of fat soluble nutrients with enhanced solubility and bioavailability profile. Such formulations should demonstrate good in vitro-in vivo co-relation, thus minimizing variable inter-personal absorption profiles.
The present invention addresses this need and discloses, after rigorous experimentation, matrix formulations of fat soluble nutrients that exhibit enhanced bioavailability. These beadlet compositions employ effective amount of at least one hydrophilic cellulose polymer and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Beadlets of the instant invention have a high loading capacity with respect to active and are comprised of fat soluble nutrients embedded in matrix of low viscosity cellulose polymeric excipient. Such stable beadlets can be employed as

beverage ingredient or formulated in dosage forms such as sachets for reconstitution and moulded as tablets or capsules for oral administration.
Objectives of the present invention
The main objective of present invention is to provide hydrophilic matrix beadlet formulation of fat soluble nutrients which exhibit enhanced bioavailability.
Another objective of the present invention is to prepare hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions comprising of at least one fat soluble nutrient such as carotenoid and effective amount of at least one cellulose polymer with low viscosity.
Yet another objective of this invention is to prepare hydrophilic matrix beadlets of fat soluble nutrients wherein at least one low viscosity cellulose polymer is combined with at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
Yet further objective of the present invention is to provide hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions containing at least 5% to about 25% of at least one fat soluble nutrient such as carotenoid.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide stable hydrophilic matrix beadlet carotenoid beadlet composition which is comprised of free Lutein and/or zeaxanthin and/or neoxanthin and/or a-cryptoxanthin and/or p-cryptoxanthin and/or mesozeaxanthin in combination thereof with other lipophilic nutrients,
One more objective of the instant invention is to provide hydrophilic matrix in which carotenoids are embedded in effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient such as inert core or diluent to form beadlets.

Another objective of the instant invention is to prepare hydrophilic beadlets containing ratio of carotenoids to low viscosity polymeric excipient such as 1:0.5 to 1:1.5 to form a matrix.
Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide hydrophilic beadlets in which at least one low viscosity cellulose polymer has the viscosity in the range of 1 to 5 cps.
Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide hydrophilic matrix beadlets which are prepared by fluid bed drying or extrusion spheronization.
One more objective of the instant invention is to employ carotenoid beadlets as beverage ingredient or formulated in dosage forms such as sachets for reconstitution and moulded as tablets or capsules for oral administration.
Still one more embodiment of the present invention is to prepare hydrophilic matrix beadlets which exhibit desired dissolution characteristics and enhanced bioavailability profile.
Summary of the invention
The instant invention provides hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions with enhanced bioavailability. The matrix beadlets are comprised of at least one fat soluble nutrient and effective amount of at least one cellulose polymer with low viscosity along with one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient such as inert core or diluent. Present hydrophilic matrix beadlet composition is comprised of carotenoid wherein free lutein is present in combination with zeaxanthin and/or neoxanthin and/or α-cryptoxanthin and/or β-cryptoxanthin and/or mesozeaxanthin along with other excipients and antioxidants. These beadlets contain at least 5% to about 25% of said carotenoid nutrient. Such beadlets are resistant to oxidation and get readily dispersed and dissolved in media under test by forming a homogenous

yellow to orange coloured dispersion. The Free flowing nature of said composition allows it to be compressed into tablets, or to be filled into two piece capsules or blend as dry premix for beverage applications. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the said hydrophilic matrix beadlet formulation by employing fluid bed system with top/tangential/ bottom spray technique or by extrusion spheronization. These hydrophilic compositions exhibit desired dissolution characteristics and enhanced bioavailability profile as compared with the marketed formulations containing carotenoids for nutraceutical applications.
Detailed description of the invention:
The invention relates to hydrophilic matrix beadlet formulations of fat soluble nutrients and method for preparation such beadlets.
As used herein, the term "about" refers to a numeric value, including, for example, whole numbers, fractions, and percentages, whether or not explicitly indicated. The term "about" generally refers to a range of numerical values (e.g.. +/-5-10% of the recited value) that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (e.g.. having the same function or result). In some instances, the term "about" may include numerical values that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
The fat soluble nutrients suitable for the instant invention are sensitive to heat or oxygenating conditions. Non-limiting examples are carotenoids, fat soluble vitamins, fatty acids, glycerides. capsaicin, curcumin and mixtures thereof.
Preferably the fat soluble nutrient is selected from the group such as, but not limited to., carotenoids (especially alpha-carotene, beta- carotene. 8'-apo-beta-carotenal. 8'-apo-beta-carotenoic acid esters such as the ethyl ester, canthaxanthin, astaxanlhin, astaxanthin ester, betacryptoxanthin, lycopene. lutein, lutein (di) ester, zeaxanthin or crocetin. mesozeaxanthin, alpha or beta-zeacarotene or mixtures thereof), vitamins

(A. D, E, K. CoQ 10) or derivatives thereof (such as their acetates, e.g. vitamin A acetate or tocopherol acetate, or their longer chain fatty acid esters, e.g. vitamin A palmitate or tocopherol palmitate), capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, derivatives thereof. polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) or derivatives thereof, and triglycerides rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), Omega 3, Omega 6 oils or derivatives thereof, ethanolic extracts of Terminalia, Salacia and or mixtures thereof. Further fat soluble nutrients compounds suitable for the present invention are compounds which have a taste or smell which is required to be masked, e.g., bitter tasting vitamins and fish oil.
More preferably the fat-soluble nutrients of the instant invention are selected from the carotenoids such as. but not limited to, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, astaxanthin, astaxanthin ester, zeaxanthin. neoxanthin, α-cryptoxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and canthaxanthin. Further carotenoids are most preferably used in combination of free lutein with zeaxanthin and/or neoxanthin and/or α-cryptoxanthin and/or β-cryptoxanthin and the like or the mixtures thereof. Throughout the description the term fat soluble nutrients encompasses the foregoing definition and mixtures of said compounds.
According to one of the embodiments of the present invention, carotenoids of the present invention are obtained from Marigold flowers and employed in combination of free lutein and zeaxanthin. more preferably t-lutein and zeaxanthin. The ratio is which they are used in instant invention varies from 4.5:1 to 5.5:1. More preferably these carotenoids are used in the ratio of 5:1.
According to the instant invention, it is surprisingly found that when matrix beadlets of fat soluble nutrients are prepared using low viscosity cellulose polymer, resulting beadlets exhibit hydrophilic properties. Such beadlets are stable and easily

dispersible in aqueous system, resulting into dark yellow to orange coloured solution, which is desirable for its application in the beverage application. Further these beadlets have good flow properties, which can be either filled in capsules or compressed in the form of tablets. Hydrophilic matrix beadlets of the invention exhibit desired drug release profile and enhanced bioavailability which is at least 1.6 times higher than the marketed formulations.
According to one embodiment, the instant invention relates to hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions of fat soluble nutrients like carotenoids. which are comprised of effective amount of polymeric matrix excipient with low viscosity and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
In accordance with one more embodiment of the present invention, a new matrix system is provided which acts as an immediate release composition in the form of hydrophilic beadlets of fat soluble nutrients.
Beadlets are the systems comprised of coated or uncoated core, wherein carotenoid active is dispersed or embedded in effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient to form a core.
In one of the embodiments of the invention, core of the beadlets is comprised of matrix of carotenoid, which is combination of free lutein and xeaxanthin, formed in presence of effective amount of low viscosity polymeric excipient, thus imparting hydrophilic property to the core matrix.
In one more embodiment, the low viscosity cellulose polymeric excipient is selected from the group such as, but not limited to, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and the like or the combinations thereof.

Low viscosity polymeric excipient of the invention is a cellulose polymer, which exhibits viscosity of 1 to 5cps when 2% w/v of solution is prepared in water and is hydrophilic in nature.
As per preferred embodiment of the instant invention, the low viscosity cellulose polymeric excipient may be hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC).
As per the most preferred embodiments of this invention, low viscosity cellulose polymer excipient is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) having viscosity of 2.5 cps at 2% w/v polymer solution in water.
As per one more embodiment of the invention, low viscosity cellulose polymeric excipient is used in the effective amount in the present invention. Effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer means the amount so that it forms a matrix and carotenoids get embedded in this polymeric excipient; wherein it confers upon its own hydrophilic properties to fat soluble nutrient.
The amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer excipient incorporated into the beadlets is such that it is effective to impart its hydrophilic properties to the matrix core of the beadlets. thus increasing solubility of resultant beadlets. In certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the low viscosity HPMC is included in the beadlets so that ratio of carotenoid to such polymer is 1:0.5 to 1:1.5. As per one more embodiment, the amount of low viscosity HPMC used may range from about 8% to about 40% wAv of the beadlets, more preferably the amount of low viscosity cellulosic polymer as employed may range from 10 to 30% wAv of the beadlets.
As per one more important embodiment of the present invention, the amount of carotenoid, used in the beadlets varies from about 2% to 45%, more preferably about 5 to 30%. Preferably these beadlets contain carotenoids, which is present in the form of combination of free lutein and zeaxanthin.

According to further embodiment of the invention, size of the hydrophiiic matrix beadlets is 10 to 300 microns.
Hydrophiiic matrix beadlets of the instant invention are formed of carotenoids as fat soluble nutrient, effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
Hydrophiiic matrix beadlets of the present invention typically may also include other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as, but not limited to, inert core, diluents, antioxidant, surfactant, binders, disintegrants, glidants, lubricants, solvents. coating agent, and the like. As is well known to those skilled in the art, pharmaceutical excipients are routinely incorporated into solid dosage forms. This is done to ease the manufacturing process as well as to improve the performance of the dosage form.
In the present embodiment of this invention, the inert core may be comprised of any material such as, but not limited to, sugar (e.g Sprayspheres® or pharm-a-spheres® etc.), macrocrystalline cellulose (Cellets® and Vivapur® MCC). tartaric acid, mannitol, starch and the like or combination thereof and that are commercially available under different trade names. More preferably, the inert core is selected from the material such as, but not limited to, sugar or mannitol. The inert core employed is generally in the form of a sphere, and can have a diameter from about 200 microns to about 3 mm. In fluidization process; the medium of coating can either be aqueous or organic.
As per one embodiment of the instant invention, examples of suitable diluents include, but are not limited to, starch, dicalcium phosphate, microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, dextrate hydrated, colloidal grade carboxymethyl cellulose sodium, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium and other cellulose containing polymers and their derivatives or the like and mixtures thereof. Preferably, suitable

diluent is selected from conventional marketed grades of microcrystalline cellulose, including, but not limited to Avicel®PH 101, Avicel®PH 102, Avicel®PH 103, Avicel®PH 105, Avicel®PH 112, Avice!®PH 113, Avicel® PH 300, Avicel®PH 212, Avicel®PH 301, Avicel®PH 302, and the like or mixtures thereof.
As per one more embodiment of the instant invention, the antioxidant is selected from the commonly used excipients including, but not limited to α-Tocopherol, β-Tocopherol, γ-Tocopherol, mix Tocopherol, citric acid, Rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium ascorbate or the like and the combinations thereof.
Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, anionic and non-ionic surfactants
or a mixture thereof. The non-ionic surfactants employed in the composition may
include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated fatty acid ester, ethoxylated fatty acid
ethers, ethoxylated sorbitan ethers, ethoxylated alkyl-phenols, glycerol esters,
glycerol sugar esters, polyoxyethylene glycerol monolaurate. polyoxyethylene
glycerol monostearate, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl stearate. polyoxyethylene-25-cetyl
stearate, polyoxyethylene(25)-oxypropylene monostearate, polyoxyethylene-20-
sorbitan monopalmitate, poly-oxyethylene-16-tert-octylphenol. polyoxyethylene-20-
cetyl ether, polyethylene glycol(1000)monocetyl ether, ethoxylated castor oil,
polyoxyethylene sorbitol-lanolin derivatives. polyoxyethyiene(25)propylene glycol
stearate, polyoxyethylenesorbitol esters, polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan
monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene-16-tert-octylphenol, polyoxyethylene-20-cetyl ether, glycyeryl undecylenate and Polysorbate 60, capmul (medium chain glyceride), peceol{glyceryl monooleate), glyceryl laurate and glyceryl caprylate (Capmul MCM), PEG sorbitan fatty acid esters like PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60), PEG-20 sorbitan monooieate (Tween 80), sorbitan fatty acid esters like sorbitan monolaurate (Span 20). glyceryl stearate (Cithrol GMS) or the like and mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, fatty alcohol sulfates, alpha olefin sulfonates,

sulfosuccinates, phosphate esters, carboxylates, sarcosinates, alky] benzene sulfonates, alky] sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkyl ethersulfonates, glycerol ethersulfonates, alpha-methyl estersulfonates, sulfonic fatty acids, alky] sulfates, fatty alcohol ethersulfates, glycerol ethersulfates, mixed hydroxy ethersulfates, monogIyceride(ether)sulfates, fatty acid amide(ether)sulfates, sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinamates, sulfotriglycerides, alkyl oligoglycoside sulfates, alky|(ether)phosphates or the like and mixtures thereof
Suitable disintegrants employed in the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to croscarmellose sodium, sodium starch glycolate, starch, crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, crosslinked sodium carboxy methyl cellulose and the like or mixtures thereof.
Examples of suitable binders include, but are not limited to, starch, pregelatinized starch, polyvinyl prrolidone (PVP), copovidone, gum acacia, xanthan gum, gum tragacanth, cellulose derivatives, such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and their salts. Their amount used may range from about 0.1% to about 10% of the weight of the pellets. It may be advantageous to mix the binding agent with the colloidal suspension prior to spraying the suspension in the fluid-bed system.
Examples of suitable lubricants include, but are not limited to, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate. stearic acid, talc, and sodium stearyl fumarate. Compositions of the present invention may optionally also include a glidant such as, but not limited to, colloidal silica, silica gel, precipitated silica, or combinations thereof.
According to one more embodiment, the coating agents of the present invention are suitable for providing elegance and protection to the beadlets and are selected from the excipient such as, but not limited to starch, starch derivatives, cellulose, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohols, waxes, gums, sucrose esters and sugar or combination thereof.

According to still one more embodiment, starch is selected from the sources such as, but not limited to, cereals, tubers, roots, legumes and fruits.
The present invention discloses the process for preparation of hydrophilic matrix beadlets wherein carotenoid is dispersed in non-polar solvent along with at least one more excipient and homogenized to get dispersion. Effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymeric excipient is dispersed in polar solvent followed by addition of non-polar solvent under stirring to get uniform system. This low viscosity polymer system is then added to carotenoid dispersion and mixed well. The resulting solution is loaded on inert core by using bottom spray, top spray fluid bed processor or by tangential spray, top spray Flex Stream process to get the beadlets. These beadlets obtained are further coated with starch system comprised of one more antioxidant. The resulting coating solution is loaded on carotenoid beadlets by using bottom spray, top spray fluid bed processor or by tangential spray, top spray Flex Stream process.
The present invention further discloses the process for preparation of carotenoid hydrophilic matrix beadlets by extrusion and spheronization method. As per this process, carotenoid is dispersed in suitable solvent. The dispersion is further added to the blend of effective amount of low viscosity cellulose polymer and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient such as sugar, surfactants, binders and other excipients. The powder blend can be prepared in a rapid mixing granulator and/or planetary mixer. After uniform mixing, the granules are extruded and spheronized to form uniform beadlets. These uniform spheroidal beadlets core are further coated with starch and antioxidant coating system to form coating beadlets.
In another preferred embodiment the solvent employed in process for preparation of hydrophilic matrix beadlets may be selected from the group such as, but not limited to, acetone, hexane, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, dichloromethane, methanol, and a mixture thereof, more preferably from acetone, ethanol,

dichloromethane, isopropyl alcohol, and more preferably dichloromethane and isopropyl alcohol.
In a preferred embodiment the non-polar solvents which may be used for preparing the dispersion of fat soluble nutrient include, but not limited to. methylene chloride, chloroform, petroleum ether (low boiling), petroleum ether (high boiling) and the like or the mixtures thereof.
In another preferred embodiment, the polar solvents, which may be used for preparing the solution of low viscosity polymeric excipient, include, but is not limited to, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, methanol, ethanol. acetonitrile or mixtures thereof.
The non-polar solvent and polar solvent can be used in varying ratios. For instance, the non-polar and polar solvents can comprise a mixture of methylene chloride and isopropyl alcohol at a ratio of about 1:1 to about 0.1:1. The non-polar and polar solvents can also comprise a mixture of methylene chloride and isopropyl alcohol at a ratio of about 0.2:1 to about 2:1.
The so-formed beadlets may be filled into hard shell capsules or compressed into a tablet to provide formulations administered in single or divided doses of from about 2 to 45 mg carotenoids, preferably from about 5 to about 30 mg carotenoids daily.
The tablet formulation can be prepared by using conventional process generally used by a person skilled in the art by employing techniques such as direct compression. dry granulation or wet granulation. In the process of direct compression, these beadlets can be mixed with vitamin premix containing other vitamins such as vitamin A. B,C, D, E or derivatives thereof in effective amount. Such blend is then mixed with other pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as diluent, disintegrant, binder and then lubricated well and compressed to get desirable

hardness, In dry granulation roller compaction of excipients and blending with beadlets is affected along with other excipients.
Hydrophilic matrix beadlets formulated according to the present invention allow for immediate release of carotenoids and exhibit desired drug release profile, wherein at least 90% of lutein is released over a period of first 10 minutes.
According to one more embodiment, comparative bioavailability study of the composition of the present invention is evaluated along with marketed reference product in healthy human volunteers under fed conditions.
The present invention is also applicable to combinations of carotenoids with other fat soluble nutrients. In one embodiment, compositions of the present invention comprise carotenoids in combination with other fat soluble nutrients selected from, but not limited to, fat soluble vitamins, fatty acids and glycerides.
In a further embodiment is provided the use of hydrophilic matrix carotenoid beadlets of the present invention as an active ingredient or colorant or additives in beverage application. The said beadlets can be compressed in tablet or filled in two piece capsules or in sachets to be used as a dietary supplement in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical food and cosmetic industry, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions of the present invention.
While the present invention has been described in terms of its specific illustrative embodiments, certain modifications and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustrations.

Examples
Example 1: Preparation of Carotenoid Crystals
The preparation of carotenoid concentrate is described in Indian Patent Application No. 622/MAS/2002 (U. S. Patent 6,737,535), the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein, and is summarized as follows.
Commercial grade marigold extract (57.98 g) containing 11.54% free lutein-zeaxanthin content (by spectrophotometric method) was mixed with potassium isopropyl alcoholate (prepared by dissolving 15 g potassium hydroxide in 175 ml isopropanol.) The saponification mixture was heated and maintained at 70 C for a period of 3 hours. The degree of hydrolysis was monitored by HPLC during the saponification stage. Isopropanol was distilled off under reduced pressure and the solids obtained were stirred with 230 ml of water at room temperature. The mixture was taken into a reparatory funnel and extracted with equal volume of ethyl acetate (3 times). Ethyl acetate layer was collected and washed with distilled water for removing the excess alkali, soapy materials and other water-soluble impurities. The ethyl acetate layer was distilled off under reduced pressure to get saponified crude extract (25.01 g). This resultant crude extract (25.01 g) was subjected to purification by stirring with 100 ml of hexane/acetone mixture (80:20) at room temperature for 30 minutes, followed by filtration. The precipitate of carotenoid crystals obtained was washed with methanol. The resulting orange crystals were vacuum dried at ambient temperature for 72 hrs. The yield of the crystals was 3.41% (1.98 g). Carotenoid content was 86.23% by weight (as determined by UV/Vis spectrophotometry) out of which the contents of trans-lutein. zeaxanthin. and other carotenoids were 91.43%. 6.40% and 2.17% respectively as determined by HPLC analysis.

Example 2: Preparation of hydrophilic matrix carotenoid beadlets Table 1: Composition of carotenoid matrix beadlets using formula 1 to 7

Sr.
No Ingredients Formula 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1 Carotenoids
(Free Lutein +
Zeaxanthin
concentrate) 10.08 10.08 10.43 10.08 10.08 10.08 47
2 Non pareil sugar 25.64 54.86 48.58 46.95 49.5 0 10
i
3 Microcrystalli ne cellulose 0 0 0 0 0 49.5 0
4 Low viscosity HPMC 10.08 10.08 10.43 10.08 10.08 10.08 23.5
5 Polyvinyl pyrroiidone 29.23 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 Ascorbyl Palmitate 1.11 1.11 1.18 1.18 1.18 1.18 1
7 Tween 80 0 0 7.55 7.55 5 5 2
8 Crospovidone 0 0 1.87 3.5 3.5 3.5 1,5
9 Tocopherol mix 3.16 3.16 3.28 3.23 3.23 2.3
10 Sodium starch glycolate 0.77 0.77 0 0 0 0 0
31 Docusate
Sodium 4.02 4.02. 0 0 0 0 0
12 Sodium lauryl sulphate 1.37 1.37 1.08 1.78 1.78 1.78 1.03
13 Tapioca starch 12.82 12.82 12.82 13.94 13.94 13.94 10
14 Aerosil 0 0 0.54 0 0 0 0
15 Sodium Ascorbate 1.05 1.06 1.04 1.04 1.04 1.04 1
16 Talc 0.67 0.67 1.21 0.67 0.67 0.67 0.67
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

Process for the preparation using formula 1-5 and formula 7:
Carotenoid is dispersed in non-polar solvent and required quantity of antioxidants, surfactants, disintegrants, binder is added to the carotene dispersion and homogenised it completely. Low viscosity HPMC polymer is dispersed in polar solvent followed by addition of non-polar solvent under stirring. Carotenoid dispersion was added to low viscosity HPMC system and mixed it completely. The resulting mixture is loaded on non pareil inert core by using bottom spray, top spray fluid bed processor or by tangential spray, top spray Flex Stream process and drug coating is completed. Beadlets obtained by above process are further coated with coating composition of starch and antioxidant by using bottom spray, top spray fluid bed processor or by tangential spray, top spray Flex Stream process.
Preparation of carotenoid beadlets by Formula 6
The process involves the preparation of carotenoid beadlets by extrusion and speronization method. According to the process, carotenoid is dispersed in water to form solution. The solution is further added to the powder blend of low viscosity HPMC polymer, sugar, surfactants, binders and other excipients. Mixing of carotenoids with the powder blend can be affected in a rapid mixing granulator and/or planetary mixer. After uniform mixing, the granules are extruded and spheronized to form beadlets. These uniform spherical beadlets core are further coated with coating system of starch and antioxidant to form hydrophilic matrix beadlets of fat soluble carotenoids.
Dissolution study for Formula 3
Dissolution testing is carried out to check release of lutein from carotenoids beadlets by determining the amount of lutein that goes into testing media as a function of time. USP type II (Paddle) apparatus was employed using dissolution medium

volume 900 ml with rate of agitation as 50 rpm and water with 0.25% SLS as dissolution medium.
Table 2: Dissolution Profile for beadlets of Instant Invention

Time
(Minutes) Mean (%) Release lutein from Formula 3
10 96.9
20 101.11
30 94.02
60 101.16
90 101.54
The dissolution study of formula 3 in water with 0.25% sodium lauryl sulphate exhibits more than 90% lutein release within 10 minutes.
Stability study of formula 3
Accelerated stability study of formula 3 was carried out for three reproducibility batches with same formula at 40°C ± 2°C/75% RH ± 5% RH for the period of 6 months.Product was packed in sealed aluminium pouch and incubated in stability chambers.
Table 3: Lutein content of beadlets during stability study

Formula 3 Initial Assay (lutein content) Assay after 3 Months
(lutein content) Assay after 6 Months
(lutein content)
Batch 1 6.54 6.33 6.16
Batch 2 6.67 6.41 6.23
Batch 3 6.42 6.14 6.13

Accelerated stability study at 40°C ± 2°C/75% RH ± 5% RH showed that hydrophilic matrix composition of the present invention is stable over a period of 6 months with respect to lutein content of the beadlets. Further no physical or colour change was observed after 6 month accelerated stability study.
Example 3: Formulation of Tablets using carotenoid beadlets
Table 4: Composition of tablets containing beadlets

Sr. No. Ingredients Qty mg/tab
1 Beadlets of Formula 3 160
2 Microcrystalline cellulose 630
3 Vitamin premix 130
4 Sodium starch glycolate 50
5 Talc 10
6 Magnesium stearate 10
7 Total 1000
Process for preparation of the tablets
Beadlets of formula 3, vitamin premix and other excipients are weighed as per given formula. The vitamin premix and excipients except magnesium stearate are passed through 40 mesh sieve and blended well in a suitable blender. Weighed amount of beadlets are added in above blend and mixed it further for 10 minutes. The blend is lubricated with magnesium stearate and talc. Lubricated blend is compressed in tablets with hardness of 7-9 kg/cm .

Stability study of the tablets
The tablets obtained from three reproducible batches using formula of example 3 are packed in sealed aluminium pouch and incubated in stability chambers. Accelerated stability study was carried out at 40°C ± 2°C/75% RH ± 5% RH for the period of 6 months.
Table 5: Lutein content in tablets during stability study

Batch No Initial Assay (lutein content) Assay after 3 months (lutein content) Assay after 6 months (lutein content)
Batch 1 7.08 6.55 6.35
Batch 2 7.47 7.11 6.88
Batch 3 7.49 7.11 6.74
It was found that the tablet formulations prepared using beadlets of formula 3 are stable over the period of 6 months with respect to t-lutein content. Further no physical or colour change was observed in the tablet formulation during this accelerated stability study.
Comparative Bioavailability Study
A randomized, double blind, three-treatment, single-period, single dose, parallel, comparative bioavailability study of the composition of the instant invention in the form of hydrophilic matrix beadlets 20 mg/capsule was carried out with the marketed reference product in 14 healthy, human, adult subjects under fed conditions.
Mean AUC and Cmax values obtained for 14 volunteers using both the test product T (composition of instant invention) and marketed reference product (R) are as follows:

Table 6: Pharmacokinetic data for Lutein from test and reference product

Products Cmax AUC24 AUC48 AUC72 AUC168 AUCt
T 824.75 7427.69 18318.06 26697.99 53983.48 53343.69
R 773.95 5179.50 14208.09 19985.64 38581.13 35004.44
Fold increase 1.06 1.43 1.29 1.33 1.39 1.52
Cmax and AUC values for test product (T) as per above data points indicate that hydrophilic matrix beadlets of the instant invention exhibit about 1.6 times higher bioavailability than the marketed reference product (R).

We claim,
1. Hydrophilic matrix beadlet compositions with enhanced bioavailability comprising;
at least one fat soluble nutrient;
effective amount of cellulose polymer with low viscosity; and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
2. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 1,wherein fat soluble nutrient is selected from carotenoids. vitamins, omega fatty acids, glycerides, capsaicin, curcumin, extracts of Salacia, Terminalia, Co-Enzyme Q-10, Ubiquinol and mixtures thereof.
3. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 2. wherein fat soluble carotenoid nutrient is selected from the group consisting of lutein, lutein esters, alpha carotene, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, mesozeaxanthin, betacryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin esters, astaxanthin, lycopene and mixtures thereof.
4. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 3, wherein fat soluble carotenoid nutrient is comprised of lutein and zeaxanthin in the ratio of 4.5:1 to 5.5:1.
5. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 1, at least one cellulose polymer excipient with low viscosity is selected from methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose or mixture thereof.
6. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 5, wherein at least one cellulose polymer has viscosity in the range of 1 to 5 cps.
7. Hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 5, wherein at least one cellulose polymer is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose having viscosity of 2.5 cps.

8. Hydrophilic beadlet composition of claim 1, wherein ratio of fat soluble nutrient to cellulose polymer with low viscosity is about 1:0.5 to 1:1.5.
9. Hydrophilic beadlet composition of claim 1, wherein fat soluble nutrient is present in an amount of about 5 to about 25 % by weight of beadlets.
10. Hydrophilic beadlet composition of claim 1, further comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient such as inert core, diluents, antioxidants, surfactants, disintegrant, glidant, coating agent or mixtures thereof.
11. A process for preparation of hydrophilic beadlet compositions with enhanced bioavailability, which is comprised of
i. Suspending fat soluble nutrient in non-polar solvent and diluting the resulting
suspension with polar solvent. ii. Adding at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient such as antioxidant,
surfactant, disintegrant, solubility enhancer or the mixture thereof to step i
suspension by using homogenizer. iii. Dispersing low viscosity hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in polar solvent iv. Adding hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose dispersion to fat soluble nutrient
suspension of step ii in presence of at least one excipient to form matrix
beadlets. v. Drying the resulting beadlets and coating with non-functional coat of
polysaccharides.
12. A process for hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 11, wherein at least one
excipient is selected from the group of sucrose, sugar, microcrystalline cellulose,
tartaric acid, mannitol, maltodextrin. starch, modified starch or combination thereof.

13. A process for hydrophilic beadlet compositions of claim 12, wherein beadlets are formed by fluid bed coating or extrusion spheronizatic'n.
14. Hydrophilic matrix compositions of claim 1, wherein the oral bioavailability of beadlets is at least 1.6 times higher than the marketed reference composition containing fat soluble nutrients.