Addressing consumer needs through microencapsulation [Interview]

“Consumers want recognisable ingredients, and they want assurances that nutritional supplements contain only authentic ingredients. They also prioritise recognisable ingredients such as specific vitamins, minerals, and/or herbal supplements.

“Consumers also want transparency, trust, and safe products free from harmful ingredients and side effects. This is why supplement manufacturers need to introduce scientifically supported products with recognisable ingredients, backed by science. Evidence to support their claims should be clearly made on their packaging.

“Finally, in terms of innovative delivery formats, the importance of sensory appeal and convenience cannot be overestimated. Consumers want smaller, easier-to-swallow tablets. On-the-go delivery formats such as gummies and portable powder sticks have also become increasingly popular.”

“At Lubrizol, we understand that consumers are looking for products that not only contain scientifically and clinically backed ingredients with proven benefits, but also those that offer sensory appeal to satisfy their more intangible, emotional side.

“Our consumer-centric approach is reflected in our nutraceuticals portfolio, which offers science-based ingredients with proven benefits designed for a wide range of products such as syrups, gums, and sticks that deliver key sensory benefits such as taste, mouthfeel, and visual appeal.

“LIPOFER microcapsules, for example, are a bioavailable and stable iron with proven absorption and minimised side-effects. MAGSHAPE microcapsules, meanwhile, are a highly concentrated source of magnesium, with proven muscle relaxation benefits to support sleep.

“NEWCAFF microcapsules are a clean, non-bitter source of caffeine to provide a sustained energy release, while CURCUSHINE microcapsules are a bioavailable and dispersible source of curcumin with proven benefits in terms of overall skin appearance improvement. Lubrizol also offers Carbopol polymers for nutraceuticals. These provide a convenient way to make tablets smaller and easier to swallow.”

“LIPOFER uses multiple technologies to enhance iron absorption while minimising gastric irritation. This results in iron-fortified products with optimal performance and great taste.

“The process works like this: First, iron pyrophosphate is micronised to reduce the average particle size to less than 10 microns. This has been shown to increase the bioavailability of various nutrients. The micronised iron pyrophosphate is then encapsulated in various matrices, in order to add further functionality to the product. These include lecithin, which allows the product to overcome surface tension, and starch, to further protect the iron during manufacturing and digestion.

“LIPOFER delivers several advantages. These include bioavailable iron, shown in a clinical trial to improve iron status in healthy people in as little as four weeks. It also delivers: a pleasant taste that helps consumers complete supplementation; no digestive tract effects, and reduced interaction with other supplements.

“These advantages allow formulators to develop more complex stable applications than other iron forms such as gummies or orosoluble sticks, resulting in more convenient products.”

“A consumer study involving 100 volunteers found LIPOFER iron supplement to be unique in delivering sensory appeal and negligible metallic taste.

“These volunteers tested a series of five orosoluble powder sticks in a single session. Two of the powdered iron candidates were LIPOFER iron sachets at different dosages. LIPOFER-14 provides the full recommended daily dose, while LIPOFER-5 provides a more moderate dose of the ingredient. The other three powdered sticks consisted of conventional iron salts in an orosoluble format.

“Consumers were asked to rate several sensory characteristics of each product, including appearance, homogeneity, and metallic aftertaste. They then ranked the products in order of preference.

“Consumers found that the LIPOFER formulations had the mildest metallic aftertaste and that the aftertaste lasted much shorter than the standard iron formulations. They also noted that LIPOFER demonstrated exceptional homogeneity, with a silky-smooth texture that melts immediately upon consumption.

“In follow-up interviews, panellists reported high levels of satisfaction, with many expressing extreme satisfaction with LIPOFER orosoluble sticks as a supplement format. In addition, they indicated that they would be likely to incorporate LIPOFER into their daily regimen.”

“To improve overall sleep, consumers often use melatonin, but have also turned to magnesium, which improves muscle relaxation for more restful sleep. Magnesium has also been shown to facilitate hormone balance, enzyme activity, and neurotransmitter function that regulate mood and support stress relief.

“However, magnesium has been shown to impart a metallic, unpleasant taste. In addition, a high daily dose is recommended to experience the benefits of magnesium, resulting in a significant amount of product per day to get the full dose.

“Lubrizol's MAGSHAPE microcapsules are a highly concentrated source of magnesium specifically designed to restore and maintain healthy magnesium levels in human cells and bones. The effectiveness of MAGSHAPE lies in its ability to deliver a potent dose of magnesium, making it an effective solution for those seeking to optimise their nutritional intake.

“One of the distinguishing features of MAGSHAPE microcapsules is their versatility. The high concentration of magnesium, coupled with favourable physical properties, makes them suitable for incorporation into a wide range of products including capsules, tablets, chewable pills, and orosoluble powders.

“In addition, the inclusion of Lubrizol Carbopol polymers in nutraceutical formulations allows for the consistent, sustained release of a wide range of active ingredients, providing a long-lasting effect to holistically support various aspects of health.”