Orally administrable compositions comprising cation cross-linked polysaccharides are provided. The compositions have the ability to mask the taste and delay the release of an active material included therein. A novel method for the preparation of the compositions is also provided. The cation cross-linked polysaccharide is preferably selected from alginic acid and demethylated pectin and the composition further comprises a digestible polymer, preferably chosen from starch, starch derivatives, .alpha.-glucans, peptides and polypeptides.

As composições administrable que compreendem polysaccharides cross-linked cation são fornecidas oral. As composições têm a abilidade de mascarar o gosto e atrasam a liberação de um material ativo incluído nisso. Um método da novela para a preparação das composições é fornecido também. O polysaccharide cross-linked cation é selecionado preferivelmente do ácido alginic e demethylated o pectin e a composição compreende mais mais um polímero digestible, escolhido preferivelmente do starch, dos derivatives do starch, dos alpha.-alpha.-glucans, dos peptides e dos polypeptides.