How Sunflower Lecithin Improves Stability & Efficacy of Oil-Based Supplements

Sunflower lecithin is quite popular in the F&B industry because of its versatility. Recently, it has become a particular favourite of manufacturers of oil-based nutritional supplements.

Oil-based nutritional supplements are an important part of the health and wellness industry. It provides essential nutrients to individuals facing difficulty in getting them through their regular diet. These supplements often contain ingredients that are not water-soluble and may require an emulsifier to improve their stability and efficacy.

The Need for Stability and Efficacy in Oil-Based Nutritional Supplements

Nutritional supplements are convenient, versatile, and healthy. However, they also present unique challenges for manufacturers, as they are prone to instability and inefficacy if not formulated correctly.

Since oils are prone to oxidation, oil-based supplements are prone to rancidity, decreased nutritional value, and an unpleasant taste and smell. They also contain certain active ingredients that are sensitive to heat, light, and other environmental factors, decreasing their efficacy further.

Despite these challenges, ensuring the stability and efficacy of such supplements is crucial so they can provide the effectiveness consumers seek. Additionally, a nutritional supplement that fails to deliver on its promises can lead to disappointment and loss of trust in the brand, leading to financial losses and hindering its reputation.

All this makes it important for manufacturers to understand the need for stability and efficacy in oil-based nutritional supplements. Let’s look at how sunflower lecithin can help with that:

The Role of Sunflower Lecithin in Improving Stability and Efficacy

The natural emulsifier contains phospholipids that help stabilise oil-based formulations. It forms a protective layer around oil droplets, preventing them from coming into contact with each other and coalescing, maintaining the uniformity of the supplement, preventing separation and ensuring even distribution of active ingredients throughout the supplement.

It also has a unique ability to increase the bioavailability of certain compounds in supplements, like enhancing the absorption of curcumin, a powerful antioxidant found in turmeric. The secret behind this is that sunflower lecithin can improve the solubility and dispersibility of curcumin in oil-based formulations.

That’s why sunflower lecithin is incorporated into a range of oil-based nutritional supplements, including omega-3 supplements, vitamin D supplements, and plant-based protein supplements. In each of these applications, sunflower lecithin has been tested to show improved stability and efficacy, leading to improved consumer experience.

Omega-3 supplements are known to be highly unstable and easily oxidise, leading to off-flavours and odours. With the addition of sunflower lecithin in its formulation, Omega-3 supplements become more stable, reduce oxidation and get a longer shelf life.

Methods of Incorporating Sunflower Lecithin into Oil-Based Nutritional Supplements

How sunflower lecithin is incorporated into oil-based nutritional supplements depends on the form factor of the lecithin. For the production of nutritional supplements, either liquid sunflower lecithin is used or powdered. Below is a quick look at the methods followed for each:

Liquid Sunflower Lecithin

Liquid sunflower lecithin is the most commonly used form in the industry. It’s directly added to oil-based nutritional supplements during the manufacturing process. The liquid lecithin is easy to work with and doesn’t require much care for handling.

Powdered Sunflower Lecithin

The powdered form of sunflower lecithin isn’t used as frequently but can be a good option for certain formulations. Since it’s a dry powder, it has to be pre-dissolved in a small amount of oil to be added to the formulation.

Emulsions

There’s also a third form in which sunflower lecithin can be added to oil-based supplements. It’s the form of an emulsion. This involves combining the lecithin with water and an emulsifying agent to create a stable mixture. This mixture can then be added to the oil phase of the supplement during the manufacturing process.

When incorporating sunflower lecithin into nutritional supplements, it’s important to consider dosage and formulation. The amount of sunflower lecithin can vary depending on the specific formulation and the desired outcome. In general, a dosage of 0.5-2% sunflower lecithin by weight is common in the industry.

The formulation of the supplement can also affect the way the lecithin is incorporated. For example, supplements with high oil content often require more sunflower lecithin to achieve the desired stability and bioavailability. To clear any doubts and confusion, it’s important for manufacturers to work with a supplier who can provide guidance on dosage and formulation considerations for sunflower lecithin.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, the use of sunflower lecithin in oil-based nutritional supplements offers a host of benefits that can improve the stability, efficacy, and overall consumer experience of these products.

By reducing clumping and separation, improving bioavailability and absorption, and extending shelf life, sunflower lecithin can enhance the quality of oil-based supplements and make them more appealing to consumers.

Sunflower lecithin is a versatile ingredient that can be incorporated into formulations using various methods. However, manufacturers must carefully consider dosage and formulation if they want to achieve optimal results.

At LECITEIN, we recognize the significance of sunflower lecithin in the industry and are committed to providing high-quality plant-based lecithin products that meet the needs of all F&B manufacturers. If you are in the business of manufacturing oil-based nutritional supplements, we may be the right fit for your sunflower lecithin needs. For more details, call us today!