Microencapsulates are solid particles that can have fine (<100 μm) or coarse (up to 1000 μm) sizes, in which oil droplets are enclosed within a matrix. Sveba’s MicroShield® technology makes it possible to convert liquids or liquid solutions into powders. These powders can then be delivered in solid pharmaceutical forms such as capsules or stick packs. Working with powders can be advantageous compared to handling oils or oleoresins. This technology enables the microencapsulation of the following categories of active ingredients:
- Vegetable oils (olive, saw palmetto)
- Oleoresins
- Oil macerates
- Oil-based solutions of liposoluble actives (vitamin D3, essential oils)
- Essential oils or terpenes
One key advantage of this technology is that it serves as an alternative to soft gels, allowing the commercialization of pharmaceutical forms with lower production costs. It is also important to highlight the possibility of using exclusively plant-based ingredients (unlike the animal gelatin typically used for soft gels).
Instead of soft gels—which are difficult to produce and store (capsules tend to stick together, especially at higher temperatures)—hard gelatin capsules filled with microencapsulated powder are provided. In this way, the final product can be customized by blending the microencapsulated powder with other powdered actives or plant extracts to obtain a complete formulation.
Another advantage is the replacement of oily vitamin D solutions, which are typically administered drop by drop, with capsules that can simply be swallowed. The process is based on the following steps:
- Emulsification
- Coacervation
- Filtration or centrifugation
- Drying or freeze-drying
The resulting particles can be fine (200 US mesh – 74 μm) or coarse (greater than 18 US mesh – 1000 μm).
To learn more about how you can use this proprietary technology to develop your products, feel free to contact Sveba’s customer service.
