New Evonik polymers improve the performance of nutritional supplements

Evonik has developed a line of functional polymers especially for use in nutritional supplements.

By introducing its new Eudraguard® product family, Evonik’s Health Care Business Line is moving beyond pharmaceuticals to offer its products and services to the nutraceutical industry.

"People around the world are becoming more health conscious and are increasingly inclined to supplement their diet with nutraceuticals or dietary supplements sold as tablets, capsules, softgels, gelcaps or powders", says Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, the head of the Health Care Business Line. "To be effective, some of these products require sophisticated formulation and delivery technologies such as customized coatings with proven functionality."

Formulation greatly contributes to the effectiveness and commercial success of individual nutraceutical products. Color, consistency, odor, and flavor all have to be pleasant. And products should not cause side-effects such as eructation. Drawing upon its 60 years of experience with EUDRAGIT® polymers for oral drug products, Evonik has developed functional coatings that are innovative, easy-to-use, and reliable for use in nutritional supplements.

Eudraguard® protect primarily serves to mask flavors and odors in products such as garlic extract or fish oil. The polymer also protects sensitive ingredients from moisture, light, and oxygen. Thanks to its superior performance, the Evonik polymer makes nutritional supplements significantly more attractive to consumers.

Eudraguard® control prevents ingredients from becoming less effective upon contact with stomach acid, allowing for delayed, controlled release of the active agent in the digestive tract at the right moment. The polymer allows manufacturers to create reliable and reproducible release profiles.

"We have successfully obtained approval in Europe and the United States for our Eudraguard® products, and the launch of this new product series is now underway," says Dr. Thomas Hermann, Head of the Pharma & Food Ingredients Product Line. Evonik’s goal is to be as attractive a partner to the nutritional supplements industry as it is to the pharmaceutical industry. The Eudraguard® portfolio will be expanded in the months to come.

In addition to Eudraguard®, the company is also currently working on a product line based on the anthocyanins found in berries, which have been scientifically shown to offer health benefits. The basis for this product is an extract of Scandinavian blueberries and black currants, which Evonik has recently begun marketing as Healthberry™ 865 in many countries throughout the world.