The Rise of Clean Label and Natural Ingredients
The trend towards organic and natural products has been growing steadily over the years. Consumers are increasingly looking for products that are free from synthetic ingredients and have a cleaner label. This shift is not limited to food products but also extends to dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical industry is also adapting to this trend by incorporating more natural ingredients into their formulations. This shift is driven by consumer demand and the desire to avoid chemical or synthetic ingredients.
Natural Alternatives to Synthetic Excipients
Binders
Binders are essential in tablet formulations to hold the ingredients together. Common synthetic binders include cellulosic materials like hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) or microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), and synthetic polymers like polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). For organically oriented consumers, these excipients sound synthetic and unnatural. Natural alternatives include starches, such as cornstarch or potato starch, and natural polymers like guar gum or xanthan gum.
Fillers
Fillers are used to increase the volume of a tablet or capsule. Common synthetic fillers include magnesium stearate, stearic acid, and silica. Natural alternatives include calcium carbonate, talc, and silica from natural sources. These natural fillers are often derived from minerals and are considered more environmentally friendly.
Flow Agents
Flow agents help improve the flowability of powders during the tableting process. Synthetic flow agents include silicon dioxide and talc. Natural alternatives include silica from natural sources, calcium carbonate, and starches like cornstarch or potato starch.
Lubricants
Lubricants reduce friction between the tablet and the die wall during the tableting process. Synthetic lubricants include magnesium stearate and stearic acid. Natural alternatives include stearic acid from natural sources, such as palm oil, and plant-based lubricants like soybean oil or coconut oil.
Disintegrants
Disintegrants help the tablet break down in the stomach. Synthetic disintegrants include cross-linked polymers, cross-carmellose sodium, and sodium starch glycolate. Natural alternatives include starches, like cornstarch or potato starch, and natural polymers like guar gum or xanthan gum.
Challenges and Solutions
Challenges
The transition to natural excipients can be challenging due to the need for new formulations and manufacturing processes. Additionally, natural ingredients may have different properties than their synthetic counterparts, requiring adjustments to the manufacturing process.
Solutions
To overcome these challenges, companies are working closely with their ingredient suppliers to develop formulations that use natural ingredients. This includes the use of natural polymers, starches, and plant-based lubricants. Companies are also investing in research and development to create new formulations that meet the requirements of clean label products.
“The trend towards organic foods has been evident for several years as consumers develop a greater awareness of organic products. Dietary supplement manufacturers are also slowly changing to organic formulations, as consumers increasingly look to avoid chemical or synthetic ingredients.” – “Using natural alternative excipients for tableting and capsule filling”.
Conclusion
The trend towards natural and organic products is driving the pharmaceutical industry to adopt more natural ingredients in their formulations. This shift is driven by consumer demand and the desire to avoid chemical or synthetic ingredients. Natural alternatives to synthetic excipients are available for binders, fillers, flow agents, lubricants, and disintegrants. While there are challenges associated with this transition, companies are working to develop new formulations and manufacturing processes that meet the requirements of clean label products.
References
- “Using natural alternative excipients for tableting and capsule filling”. Pharma Excipients. October 2020.
- “Clean Label – Excipient Premixes for SODFs – Biogrund”. Biogrund. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- “Excipient-Free – Education | Premier Research Labs”. Premier Research Labs. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- “Alternative Excipients for Protein Stabilization in Protein Therapeutics”. MDPI. 2022.
- “What is Excipient-Free?”. HappyCow. 2013.
