Definition of dietary supplements
The definition of dietary supplements is: products that contain one or more vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids, or other dietary substances, which are intended to increase the intake of nutrients in the diet. Dietary supplements serve two purposes: one is to increase the intake of dietary nutrients (such as vitamins), and the other is to provide essential nutrients that may be lacking in regular food (such as herbal extracts). In the past few decades, tablet supplements have been the most popular form. Products with the second purpose are also widely available in the market. Currently, dietary supplements are widely accepted by consumers and can even be sold in supermarkets alongside food items. Their sales volume can be second only to basic food products.
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Types of carotenoids in dietary supplements
The commonly used types of carotenoids in dietary supplements are β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Among them, β-carotene, lutein, and lycopene are the most abundant carotenoids in human serum. Carotenoids in dietary supplements can be either natural or artificially synthesized. The most commonly used form of β-carotene in dietary supplements is an artificial synthetic product, but it can also be derived from natural sources such as Dunaliella salina, Blakeslea trispora, Elaeis guineensis oil, or carrot oil. The most commonly used form of lycopene in dietary supplements is also an artificially synthesized product, with natural sources mainly coming from tomatoes. Lutein is only available in its natural form, derived from the flowers of Tagetes erecta. Zeaxanthin was initially only available as an artificially synthesized product, but later extracts from Lycium barbarum became available. Artificially synthesized carotenoids such as β-carotene and lycopene can have high and pure concentrations, with a single component. In contrast, natural preparations generally contain one main carotenoid along with some similar carotenoids and their biosynthetic precursors.
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Forms of dietary supplements
The different forms of dietary supplements can include liquid, tablets, and capsules. Similarly, carotenoid dietary supplements can come in various forms as well. The most common forms for carotenoid dietary supplements, such as oil suspensions and oleoresins, are oil-based. An oil suspension refers to the concept of synthesizing carotenoid microcrystals in edible plant oil to form a suspended system. Edible plant oil can isolate the carotenoid crystals from contact with air and reduce the intensity of light, increasing the stability of carotenoids. The carotenoid content in such oil suspensions is generally around 20%-30% and has a certain viscosity but is still fluid. Natural carotenoids can also be prepared in oil suspension form. Natural carotenoids derived from palm oil and salt algae have already been prepared as oil suspensions with concentrations ranging from 20% to 30%.
Both oil suspensions and oleoresins can be applied to various food carriers to form different product forms. They can also be made into softgel capsules. Softgel capsules are the most common form of carotenoid dietary supplements.
Carotenoids can also be formulated into water-dispersible products through emulsification. Two commonly used emulsifiers are polysorbates and fatty acid esters, typically in the form of ethyl esters derived from ethanol, such as Tween. The most common emulsifiers used in gels are arabic gum and gelatin. However, water-dispersible forms of carotenoid dietary supplements are relatively rare, as they are more commonly found in coloring agents and fortified food products.
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Water-dispersible carotenoid
Water-dispersible carotenoid preparations can be spray-dried or spray-dried along with certain carriers, such as maltodextrin, to form powder particles. Clearly, these powders are water-dispersible. Such powder products are suitable for the production of hard gelatin capsules but cannot be used for making tablets, as the powder is not able to withstand high compression pressures.
For tablet formulations, microencapsulated powders of carotenoids, also known as beadlets or encapsulated powders, are suitable materials. These beadlets are small spherical particles consisting of a core material of carotenoids and a shell material composed of gelatin and sucrose. Microencapsulated powders are also produced by spray-drying. Ideally, a thin layer of starch could be applied to the outer surface of the particles to improve their ability to withstand high pressure, making them suitable for tablet production as well as hard gelatin capsules. The stability of the product is also significantly improved. Recently, there have been some new attempts to use alginates as wall materials in microencapsulated powders of carotenoids.
HSF Biotech Natural Colors - Beta-carotene, Lycopene, and Lutein
HSF Biotech Company is a leading producer of natural carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. We offer a wide range of formulation options, including oil suspensions and microencapsulated powders, catering to the diverse needs of brand manufacturers.
Our natural beta-carotene products are derived from Blastomyces trispora , resulting in high-quality oil suspensions with concentrations ranging from 20% to 30%. These oil suspensions provide excellent stability and are ideal for use in various applications, including soft gelatin capsules and other food products.
In addition to oil suspensions, we also employ advanced microencapsulation technology to produce microencapsulated powders of carotenoids. These powders consist of a core material of carotenoids and a shell material composed of gelatin and sucrose. Using spray-drying techniques, our microencapsulated powders ensure exceptional stability and long shelf life. They are particularly well-suited for tablet manufacturing and can also be used in hard gelatin capsules.
Furthermore, we offer a comprehensive range of products, including natural lycopene and lutein, both available in oil suspensions and microencapsulated powder options. This extensive selection allows brand manufacturers to choose the most suitable formulation for their specific needs.
At HSF Biotech Company, we are committed to producing high-quality, natural carotenoid products, including beta-carotene, lycopene, and lutein. Our formulations, such as oil suspensions and microencapsulated powders, cater to the diverse requirements of brand manufacturers. With our stable and pure products, we aim to enhance your offerings in the market.
If you are a brand manufacturer, we welcome you to choose HSF Biotech Company's products to incorporate natural beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and other carotenoids into your dietary supplements. We assure you of top-quality products and exceptional service to support your business growth.
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For more information, please contact:
Email: sales@healthfulbio.com
Whatsapp: +86 18992720900