Tag: Excipient

As the most abundant organic polymer on Earth, cellulose is a fundamental component of plant cell walls. Refined into a fine, versatile powder, the question of what is the use of cellulose powder is answered by its surprisingly diverse roles across industries, from enhancing food products to providing structure in pharmaceuticals.

Polysorbate 80 is a commonly used emulsifier and surfactant found in a wide range of products, from ice cream to pharmaceutical formulations. For those checking ingredient labels, this chemical can appear under several different names, depending on its application and region of sale.

Over five decades ago, magnesium stearate was already widely used in food, pharmaceutical tablets, and capsules. So, what do you use magnesium stearate for, and why is this unassuming, fine powder so essential to modern manufacturing processes today?

While often confused with bulking agents, magnesium stearate is primarily used as a lubricant and flow agent in supplements and medications to ensure a smooth manufacturing process. However, in cosmetics and other specific applications, it can also function as a bulking agent. This multifunctional ingredient is crucial for producing consistent and high-quality products.

While standard olive oil graces many kitchens, a lesser-known, highly purified version is essential to the medical industry. Pharmaceutical grade olive oil is a specialized, highly refined product that undergoes extensive processing to meet the strict quality and consistency requirements for medical applications.

Pullulan is a fascinating, naturally derived polysaccharide produced through the fermentation of starch by a yeast-like fungus, *Aureobasidium pullulans*. This versatile biopolymer is gaining significant traction across numerous industries for its unique properties, answering the question: What are the benefits of pullulan?

A white, fine powder used as a flow agent in supplements, magnesium stearate is a combination of a magnesium ion and two stearate molecules, or stearic acid. The answer to what is magnesium stearate obtained from is not singular, as its sources can be animal, vegetable, or synthetic.

A 2023 survey showed that over 50% of consumers check labels for ingredients derived from animal sources. The vegan status of calcium stearate is a common point of confusion because its source is not always clear. This guide will clear up the ambiguity and help you determine whether this ingredient aligns with your ethical choices.

Over 80% of all oral drug dosage forms are tablets, and the vast majority of these contain cellulose or its derivatives. Cellulose in medicine is a versatile, plant-based polymer that acts primarily as an inert, non-active ingredient known as an excipient, playing crucial roles in formulation stability, drug release, and delivery.

Used by countless manufacturers, vegetable stearate is a common additive found in many pills, powders, and cosmetic products. Also known as vegetable magnesium stearate, it is a white, powdery compound created from the reaction of stearic acid and a magnesium salt, derived entirely from vegetable sources.