Few people had even heard of probiotics twenty years ago, and they certainly weren’t taking them as a digestive supplement.
But as public knowledge increases and consumers become more aware of the need for these tiny microorganisms, the use of probiotic supplements has experienced a meteoric rise. So what exactly are they, and what’s the best way to package them? Here’s everything you need to know.
What Are Probiotics and What Do They Do?
Simply put, probiotics are living microorganisms you can find in yogurt and other fermented foods. They are also commonly taken as a dietary supplement due to their health benefits. Many different bacterias are inside them, but most are from the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium families.
While each has its own side effect, they’re generally positive. There’s still a lot to be learned on the topic, but the benefits of these microorganisms may include any of the following:
- Prevent illness.
- Boost immune response.
- Prevent a variety of gastrointestinal conditions.
- Help with colic in infants.
- Improve digestion.
- Lower inflammation.
Best Way to Package Probiotics
Probiotic use more than quadrupled in the years between 2007 and 2012. Ten years later, even more adults and children are using probiotic supplements to help improve their gut health. The already $58 billion industry continues to grow, and the manufacturing processes are adapting to keep up with growth.
Here’s an overview of how to properly package these supplements to preserve their potency and stability.
Since probiotics are living microorganisms, it’s essential to limit exposure to heat or water vapor throughout the formulating, manufacturing, and packaging process since this may cause product degradation. Following the best practices as outlined by the International Probiotics Association, the supplements need to be produced in an environment lower than 77 degrees Fahrenheit and with less than 40% relative humidity.
When packaging the supplements, most probiotics are first placed in capsules. From there, blister packaging is one of the most popular methods. Blister packs provide some of the best results regarding product potency and stability.
Pill canisters can also be an effective packaging tool, as long as consumers don’t transfer them to pill containers or plastic baggies since this can compromise their potency. Depending on the type of probiotic, some manufacturers may even recommend storing them in the refrigerator.
Pharmatech Labs Can Help
Pharmatech Labs is a nutritional contract manufacturer specializing in liquid and powder supplements. We keep our customers at the forefront of everything we do to ensure the highest satisfaction levels from concept to fulfillment. We even have an in-house lab and a research and development team so we can help you ensure your products are the best they can be.
If you make liquid or powder supplements, including probiotics, and are looking for a contract manufacturer to package what you make, look no further. Pharmatech is here to help. You can contact us today for a free quote or get more information. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you get started!
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