Use of Maltodextrin as an Excipient

Among the most needed properties during the use of excipients in probiotic formulations are excellent dispersibility, clarity of the solution after dissolution, and long shelf life. Additionally, when the obtained probiotic is dissolved in water and taken orally, it must dissolve and disperse rapidly.

Excipients are used to form capsules in a healthy manner, and to increase the volume of sachets and final products.

What Are the Most Commonly Used Excipients?

The bulking agents used in tablets and sachets are as follows.

• Microcrystalline Cellulose 102
• Microcrystalline Cellulose 101
• Maltodextrin
• MCC 102
• MCC 101
• Magnesium Sulfate
• Calcium Lactate
• Trisodium Citrate
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone
• PVP-K30
• PVP-K90
• Sucrose

The difficulty in solubility and the challenge of drying these excipients does not allow for their optimal use. For this reason, a need has arisen for the use of excipients that will exhibit more functional and positive properties.

To overcome such disadvantages, the negative effects of existing excipients must be eliminated. For this purpose, the use of polysaccharides has been evaluated. Having a certain degree of polymerization and a significant moisture range ensures the transparency, dispersibility, and stable state of probiotic powders during their shelf life.

How is the Use of Maltodextrin as a Bulking Agent?

In such applications, the Dextrose equivalent should be between 17 and 23. The moisture level must be less than 0.1%. The moisture level in maltodextrin is expressed as water activity in terms of AW. The maltodextrin to be used will provide high dispersibility and extend shelf life.

An excipient has some fundamental effects. These include increasing the solubility of the product offered to the end user, providing bulking properties, acting as a filler, and having diluent properties.

Excipients are auxiliary substances used in the formulation of a medicine and added to increase the stability of the active ingredient, ensure the proper dosing of the pharmaceutical formulation, or facilitate the use of the medicine. Maltodextrin is a substance frequently used as an excipient.