TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - INORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The calcium source is calcium chloride, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, or calcium sulfate. The binder can be sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium phosphate, calcium carbonate, colloidal anhydrous silica, colloidal silicon dioxide, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, or magnesium phosphate. The firming agent is a calcium source from calcium chloride, calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, tri-calcium citrate, or calcium sulfate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - ORGANIC CHEMISTRY - Preferred Component: The gelling agent can be sodium alginate (preferably), potassium alginate, calcium alginate, magnesium alginate, ammonium alginate, or triethanolamine alginate. A calcium source is present to allow the sustained release of the additive in the fermentation fluid for at least 12 hours. It is calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium aspartate, or calcium stearate. It is tri-calcium citrate. The binder can be magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, powdered stearic acid, hydrogenated vegetable oils, sodium starch glycolate, lactose, sucrose, glucose, sodium lauryl sulfate, quat. ammonium salts, or mannitol. The nitrogen source is ammonium, ammonia gas, diammonium phosphate (preferably), diammonium sulfate, nitrite, nitrate, proteins, amino acids, or urea. The additive is yeast extract. The composition comprises vitamins and minerals. The lubricating agent is magnesium stearate. The firming agent is a calcium source from calcium lactate, calcium aspartate, calcium stearate, or tri-calcium citrate.    TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Component: The gelling agent is hydrocolloids, carrageenan, agar, gelatin, pectin, guar gum, gum arabic, locust bean gun, xanthan gum, gelatin gum, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, zeins, fatty acids, shellac, edible oils, or alginates. The binder is adsorbents, fillers, antioxidants, buffering agents, colorants, flavorants, sweetening agents, tableting agents, tablet anti-adherents, lubricants, tablet binders, diluents, tablet direct compression excipients, tablet disintegrants, tablet glidants, polishing agents, talc, polyethylene glycol, mineral oil, an FD&C color, modified cellulose, lactose, polyethylene glycol, microcrystalline cellulose (preferably), polyethylene glycols, waxes, hydrogenated castor oil, starch, or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. The disintegrating agent is microcrystalline cellulose. The composition is in the form of a tablet from a size to sustain the release of the additive in the fermentation fluid for at least 12 hours. Preferred Composition: The gelling agent is present in 0-20 (2-8) wt.%. The nutrient is a nitrogen source present in 35-75 wt.%. EXAMPLE - Active ingredients and excipients were blended thoroughly before being compressed into tablets and then added to the juice. Ingredients for powder without time release ingredients and powder with time release ingredients were blended thoroughly before being added to the juice in powder form. Micro-Essentials Boost-TR was produced using a stainless steel, concave, bevel-edge die and compressed. Products containing the sustained release mechanism showed 20-30% release of zinc within the first few hours with a continual release of remaining zinc over 72 hours. Products without the sustained release mechanism showed complete zinc release within the first few hours.