A nutraceutical excipient is a compound that helps produce a nutritional supplement. It is an ingredient that can provide the body with a variety of nutrients. Adding a compound to a food product will improve the absorption rate of the product. Furthermore, a high-quality nutraceutical product will help promote health. Hence, it is critical to invest in research and development in this area.
In the
global nutraceutical
excipient market, lubricants and additives are the most
important components. These substances help prevent ingredients from clumping
together and ensure proper tablet formation without high friction. Minerals and
fats are the most common lubricants used in hard gelatine capsules and tablets.
While lubricants are essential, they can be detrimental to the quality of a
product. Over-lubrication can cause softer and delayed tablets. As a result,
these ingredients are commonly used in the manufacture of dietary supplements
and fortified foods. Depending on the product, they may contain a high level of
bioactivity. Furthermore, nutraceuticals may contain lipophilic drugs, which
are commonly found in pharmaceutical preparations. A diluent is a substance
that enhances the bioactivity of a co-ingested bioactive. Dry nutraceutical
excipients are more compatible with bioactive compounds in nutraceuticals.
Binding
agents are the most common type of nutraceutical excipients used in the food
and pharmaceutical industries. These ingredients help stabilize the
manufacturing process and reduce the bioactivity of dietary supplements. They
are also used in cosmetics, food additives, and e-liquids. Along with their
beneficial effects, these excipients are used to stabilize the formulation of dietary
supplements. In turn, this drives the demand for nutraceutical excipients.
Multifunctional
excipient products can help manufacturers achieve multiple functions and can
reduce costs associated with customized excipients. Moreover, consumers in the rural
and semi-urban areas are prone to misunderstandings regarding dietary
supplements. In the U.S., the majority of dietary supplement companies will
claim that their products contain beneficial nutrients. In 2021, Omya, mineral
specialists launched two new excipients Omyanutra 300 DC and Omyanutra 300
Flash for nutraceutical tablets at Vitafoods Europe 2021.