What is enteric-coating?

Enteric coating is a protective coating applied to an active compound or dosage form to ensure it does not release in the acidic environment of the stomach. This coating is supposed to stay intact until it reaches the intestines, where the pH is higher, and then release the ingredient.

When making nutraceuticals, enteric coating can protect sensitive compounds from stomach acid or ensure the compound is released in the intestine. How well the coating works depends on several factors.

Why do some nutraceutical ingredients need enteric-coating?

Nutraceutical compounds may be affected by the acidic environment in the stomach, which can reduce their stability before they reach the intestine. Enteric coating creates a protective mechanism for the ingredient as it passes through the stomach.

Sensitivity to acidic gastric conditions

Some nutraceutical compounds may be unstable or undergo chemical reactions under low gastric pH conditions. Enteric coating limits direct exposure of the nutraceutical formula to these conditions.

Protection during digestion

The enteric coating protects the active substance from destruction by stomach acids as it passes through. This ensures the integrity of the encapsulated drug until the desired release.

Maintaining ingredient stability

However, some compounds benefit from minimizing contact with gastric acids. Enteric coating can help keep the compound stable by shielding it from the effects of the gastric stage.

Reducing unwanted degradation

If there is no protection, the drug meant to be released in the intestines might start to dissolve in the stomach. An enteric coating protects the drug until it reaches conditions that allow it to dissolve.

Selecting the right release environment

However, enteric coating is not done merely to delay release; it ensures the ingredient is protected in the stomach and releases its action only in the intestine, where conditions are favorable.

How does enteric coating work?

The enteric release method uses a pH-sensitive coating system that protects the active substance in an acidic environment and releases it once it reaches the intestinal environment. This coating acts as a barrier, and its behavior is affected by changes in pH.

Role of pH-dependent coatings

Enteric coatings are designed from components that do not react in the acidic environment of the stomach but react only in an alkaline environment. Environmental conditions can thus control release.

Protection in acidic conditions

Post-consumption, the enteric-coated substance enters the stomach. The enteric coating does not dissolve in the stomach because it resists acidic environments.

Reaching the intestinal environment

As the formulation moves from the stomach to the intestines, the pH changes and becomes more acidic than in the stomach.

Dissolution of the coating

Once it reaches the required pH level, the coating dissolves or loses its ability to act as a barrier. The rate at which the coating dissolves depends on the coating type, coating thickness, and formulation.

Release of the active ingredients

Once the protective layer has adequately disintegrated, the entrapped active ingredient can come into contact with the intestines and be released. The system can therefore release the drug via the intestinal route rather than the stomach.

Why use enteric-coated beadlets instead of raw ingredients?

These raw nutraceuticals may be affected by gastric acid, moisture, processing, or interactions with other formulation components. Enteric-coated beadlets provide protection and serve as a delivery mechanism.

Protection from gastric acidity

The enteric coating is designed to prevent exposure of sensitive components to acid attack in the stomach until the intended release time.

Improved ingredient stability

By encapsulating the active in an additional protective coating, enteric beadlets may help maintain ingredient stability.

Controlled site of release

While the raw material is available immediately once dissolved, the enteric-coated beadlet keeps the protection intact until it reaches conditions suitable for dissolution.

Reduced exposure to unfavorable conditions

The protective layer prevents the drug from being immediately exposed to an unfriendly environment, especially in the stomach.

Better handling and flowability

The physical properties of certain raw materials can be enhanced when transformed into beadlets,, making their inclusion in final formulations easier.

Improved compatibility with other ingredients

This coating forms a physical barrier around the active compound that may prevent contact with other compounds in the formula.

Greater formulation flexibility

Beadlets may be prepared in enteric-coated form for use in various dosage forms, such as capsules, tablets, multiparticulates, or some powdered preparations, as needed.

However, the enteric-coated beadlet formulation not only protects against gastric degradation but is also more useful. It offers more flexibility in stability, manageability, compatibility, and the site of release.

Enteric-coated Nutraceutical applications

Enteric coating technology for nutraceutical compounds applies to various supplement forms where protection from gastric conditions and release in the intestines are critical.

Capsules

Enteric-coated beadlets can also be packed in capsules to shield sensitive substances from stomach acid.

Tablets

The enteric-coated components may also be included in nutraceutical tablets if the enteric coating can survive the compression process.

MUPS

Enteric-coated beadlets or pellets may be included within multiparticulates such that more than one coated unit releases the active substance following exposure to the gastric environment.

Powder blends

The beadlets containing enteric-coated nutraceuticals could be combined with other vitamins, minerals, and botanicals with their specific release profiles intact.

Sachets

The appropriate ingredients for enteric coatings could be used to produce individual servings of nutraceuticals in powder form.

Functional foods

Entero-coated nutraceutical components could be used in certain functional food applications that require protection from digestion and regulated release.

Specialized nutrition products

These can also be used in nutritional formulas where the stability of a delicate ingredient and the environment in which it needs to be released are crucial.

How Umang Nutraceuticals develops enteric-coated solutions

At Umang Nutraceuticals, we tailor enteric-coated nutraceutical formulations to the properties of the active ingredient and the release requirements of the final formulation. We use encapsulation techniques, particulate science, and coating technologies to design custom-delivery systems for compatible nutraceuticals.

Customized Beadlets

Ingredients may be formulated into beadlets with tailor-made physical and functional properties to provide the required protection and delivery profile.

Particle size control

The particle size may be optimized for different applications to enable efficient coating, flowability, blending, and release characteristics.

Active loading

The active drug concentration can be adjusted based on the desired strength, dose, and properties of the resulting beadlet.

Enteric polymer selection

Enteric polymers can be selected based on the substance, delivery conditions, stability needs, and use.

Coating thickness optimization

The coating thickness can be varied to provide the desired level of stomach resistance while allowing proper release when the pH environment becomes favorable.

pH-dependent release development

Release properties can be tailored to the pH at which the material will be used, controlling when the coating fails to protect the material.

Application-specific formulation

These factors include ingredient stability, dose, process conditions, compatibility, and other considerations for the final product.

Different dosage formats

Nutraceutical ingredients with enteric coatings can be formulated for use in capsules, tablets, multiparticulate systems, blends, sachets, and selected functional nutrition products, among others.

Consideration for Enteric-coated technology

Enteric coating is an advanced drug-delivery system that suits the active ingredient and desired effect.

Ingredient-specific requirements

In some cases, a nutraceutical formulation does not need protection from gastric activity. The enteric coating technique is more valuable when the nutrient requires this kind of protection.

Careful polymer and coating selection

Selecting the right enteric polymer and coating system ensures the right balance between stomach protection and intestinal delivery.

Processing and storage stability

The coating must maintain its properties during production, handling, and storage. Proper formulation and process engineering can help keep coating effectiveness.

Dissolution testing

Testing release behavior under realistic conditions helps prove that the coating provides the desired gastric protection and releases the ingredient in the intestinal environment.

Formulation development

Enterically coated dosage forms may need further processing to achieve the required particle properties, coating homogeneity, stability, and release behavior.

Conclusion

Through encapsulation and particle engineering technologies at Umang Nutraceuticals, we can formulate customized solutions for delivering nutraceuticals based on the needs of individual ingredients and finished nutraceutical formulations. This can include formulating ingredients that are easy to use in today’s nutraceutical formulations by modifying particle size, active load, coatings, release mechanisms, etc.

With custom-formulated enteric-coated beadlets, Umang Nutraceuticals can help you solve formulation issues such as acid sensitivity, ingredient stability, release-site specificity, and compatibility with other actives. We can provide solutions for various applications, including capsules, tablets, multiparticulates, powder mixes, sachets, and specific nutritional products.

Umang Nutraceuticals has extensive experience working with a wide range of functional ingredients for nutraceutical products, including vitamins, minerals, botanicals, carotenoids, and amino acids. The company focuses on innovating solutions beyond traditional raw ingredients. With encapsulation technology, particle engineering, coating and formulation know-how, the company can help brands develop their nutraceutical products that are more stable and functional.

In conclusion, enteric coating gives formulators more control over when the ingredient is protected or made accessible. Combined with custom beadlets, it allows formulators to design nutraceuticals that account for the ingredient's unique properties.