Cargill Announces Patent Applications for Zerose Erythritol as an Orally Disintegrating Tablet Excipient

This latest patent application complements those filed in 2008, covering the granulation of Zerose erythritol with liquid sorbitol, and 50 percent active ingredient and 2009, covering the use of C*Pharm IsoMaltidex isomalt as a binder in Zerose erythritol granulation.

Oct 18 2010 --- Cargill announced a new pharmaceutical patent application for Zerose erythritol, the third such patent application filed, underlining the company's continuing commitment to the pharmaceutical sector.

The new patent application is for the use of Zerose erythritol as an excipient in orally disintegrating tablets (ODT). An excipient is a pharmacologically inert adhesive substance used to bind the contents of a pill or tablet. This type of tablet separates in the mouth in contact with saliva, making it easy for a person to swallow the tablet without drinking water.

Liesbeth Meeus, pharma & personal care application centre leader at Cargill, explains: "ODTs are growing in popularity as they do not require water to take them, so can be consumed anywhere. They are ideal for people with dysphagia, nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. Our research has shown that a wet granulation of Zerose erythritol, combined with Cargill's C*PharmIsoMaltidex isomalt and a disintegrant, possess the ideal properties to develop such tablets."

Zerose erythritol is an ideal ingredient for tablets that stay in the mouth for a few seconds before dissolving for several reasons: It is zero calorie, has the ability to mask unpleasant tastes, and has accredited "toothfriendly" status from the Toothfriendly International organisation. Zerose erythritol also has a high digestive tolerance and is non-hygroscopic (meaning it does not readily take up and retain water).

This latest patent application complements those filed in 2008, covering the granulation of Zerose erythritol with liquid sorbitol, and 50 percent active ingredient and 2009, covering the use of C*Pharm IsoMaltidex isomalt as a binder in Zerose erythritol granulation.

Cargill also exhibited C*PharmDry maltodextrin at CPhI Worldwide. Maltodextrins are polymers of glucose made by the partial enzymatic hydrolosis of starch. When evaluated as a binder in tablets against the (common) binder polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone), C*PharmDry maltodextrin provides advantages in terms of cost (it is less expensive, but also provides a higher binding capacity for the same concentration), and is less hygroscopic, resulting in better tablet stability.

Liesbeth Meeus concludes: "This year's CPhI demonstrates Cargill's strength in innovation, with yet another patent application for the pharmaceutical use of Zerose erythritol, and the depth of extensive application expertise that lies behind an increasingly extensive portfolio of products. All of this underlines Cargill's continuing commitment to being one of the most trusted, dedicated and experienced pharma ingredient suppliers."

Cargill underpins its pharma offering with international regulatory insight and a dedicated team of pharma innovators. Cargill has the capability to maximise both the distinctive capabilities of its individual ingredients and the potential synergies arising from combining ingredients in integrated systems, to meet a wider range of customer and application requirements.