Advanced BioNutrition Corp. (ABN), a leader in developing functional food ingredients to improve animal health and human nutrition, announced that it has received a $99,000 Phase I SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation to further the development of its novel microencapsulation technology.

The SBIR Phase I grant, titled "Continuous Spray-Capture Production System," will allow ABN to convert its prototype encapsulation production system from a batch to a continuous production process, thereby reducing production costs and providing more overall control to the process.

"This manufacturing innovation will significantly reduce the costs of incorporation of a number of functional ingredients, including probiotics, enzymes, omega-3 fatty acids and even vaccines into food products to benefit human and animal health and wellness," said David J. Kyle, ABN¹s president and CEO.

ABN¹s microencapsulation technology is referred to by the Company as a MicroMatrix.  It is based on the immobilization and stabilization of the functional ingredient in a carbohydrate polymer mixture which is then formed into small particles of 50-200 microns in diameter. The MicroMatrix is designed to provide protection to the loaded ingredient as it passes through the stomach¹s gastric juices, and then releases its contents when the particles reach the intestine.

ABN is working with several major corporations in the functional food and animal health fields on the commercial development of this technology.

Advanced BioNutrition is a leader in developing functional nutrition technology to improve animal health and human nutrition. The company is headquartered in Columbia, MD.