Capsules, coated tablets, drops, etc.
Dietary supplements and medications are available in a wide variety of forms. The most suitable form depends on the active ingredient and the target group for which the product was developed. In the probiotic field, capsule preparations are often used because they are not only easier to take but also because they must withstand stomach and bile acids. Biologically active bacteria can be protected in different ways. These include cellulose capsules and microencapsulation.
Benötigen Sie eine persönliche Beratung?
Unsere medizinisch-wissenschaftliche Abteilung steht Ihnen für fachliche Fragen gerne zur Verfügung. Sie erhalten eine individuelle, kostenfreie Beratung durch unser geschultes Fachpersonal – per E-Mail, über die Chat-Funktion auf unserer Website oder telefonisch über unsere Hotline.
What Is Microencapsulation?
Microencapsulation is a plant-based coating made from alginate. Alginate is the salt of alginic acid, which can be obtained from brown algae as well as some bacteria. Alginate is also widely used in the food industry as a thickening and gelling agent.
Why Do Biologically Active Bacteria Need Protection?
The stomach serves not only a digestive function but also as the body's first barrier to prevent pathogenic microorganisms. The low pH levels of the stomach and various digestive enzymes strongly attack the bacteria. Unfortunately, this also kills a large portion of the beneficial, biologically active bacteria. Conventional supplements have so far not been protected from the harmful stomach acid and are destroyed in the stomach. Additionally, powdered supplements often have the disadvantages of needing to be stirred into water and requiring certain activation times. If activation times are not observed, there is a loss of effectiveness.
What Are the Advantages of Microencapsulation?
Microencapsulation offers improved resistance to high temperatures, oxygen, and pressure. Therefore, it is possible to press biologically active lozenges without damaging the bacteria. Microencapsulated powders can be stirred into liquids or purees and consumed directly without observing activation times. Microencapsulation also provides high resistance to stomach and pancreatic fluids. As the pH increases in the small intestine, the microcapsules can open, delivering biologically active bacteria in high concentrations to their site of action.
Conclusion
The patented microencapsulation process provides a way to protect biologically active bacterial cultures from stomach and bile acids. Through pH-dependent opening of the plant-based coating, biologically active bacteria can act in high concentrations at their site of action in the gut. It also has the advantage of being resistant to high temperatures, oxygen, and pressure.
For more information and the study, read HERE.
