Gummy supplements are booming worldwide, and WACKER’s CAVAMAX® cyclodextrin technology is helping manufacturers deliver great taste without compromising health benefits.
It may be the sweetest trend in the nutraceutical industry: The numbers of consumers who prefer taking vitamins, minerals or supplements in the form of gummy candy are rising steadily. Younger consumers in particular find the idea of combining a healthier lifestyle with indulgence appealing. The global gummy market is predicted to reach $42.06 billion by 2028. The Asia Pacific gummy market is expected to grow by 12.9% annually in the next five years, as consumers are likely to spend more on health and wellness products. * Gummy manufacturers in the region are also responding to consumer demand by introducing a greater variety of flavors and fusion gummies that appeal to the younger population, including children.
The problem: “Healthy” rarely tastes delicious
Many bio-actives have an unpleasant taste or smell, which is undesirable in gummies. WACKER’s taste-masking technology based on cyclodextrins can easily solve this problem.
A solution for desired product properties
Cyclodextrins – naturally occurring oligosaccharides – are the key to taste-masking. They are characterized by their cyclic three-dimensional structure and hydrophobic cavity. This cavity can trap lipophilic molecules as “guests” – provided they have the right size and shape. In this way, they can create complex bioactive substances. The hydrophilic outer surface ensures compatibility with aqueous systems. This special structure of cyclodextrins opens a wide range of applications.
Experts in cyclodextrin production
Cyclodextrins can be produced through the enzymatic degradation of plant starch. WACKER is the only producer of all three types of cyclodextrins. Its CAVAMAX® cyclodextrins can mask the unpalatable taste and bitterness of bio-actives via a process referred to as molecular encapsulation. Lipophilic bio-actives are trapped inside the cyclodextrin’s cavity, thereby masking their disagreeable taste and bitterness. CAVAMAX® does not add any color, flavor or bad taste to the gummies. Neither does it change the nutritional value or functionality of the other ingredients in the gummy formulation
Easy to use
The procedure of masking taste, especially bitterness, with cyclodextrins is very simple. No adjustment to the gummy manufacturing process or equipment is necessary, except the addition of CAVAMAX® to the formulation. Similarly, the functionality of the gummies is ensured as the other ingredients also remain unaltered.
The targeted bio-active is usually mixed together with CAVAMAX® and dissolved in water, and then added to the other ingredients in the formulation.
A tried-and-tested biotechnology solution
Cyclodextrins are sustainable, extremely versatile and functional molecules. In fact, they are among the most researched molecules in the field of biotechnology. The method has been tried and tested. Here are some examples of how WACKER is advancing its usage: Ginseng is known for its wide range of health benefits. A WACKER lab team worked on a solution to hide its bitter taste. A sensory evaluation with CAVAMAX® W8 has shown that the bitterness of ginseng gummies was reduced significantly, while other desirable characteristics for gummies, such as appearance, firmness, aroma etc. were retained.
Find out more on CAVAMAX ® taste-masking gummies and get in touch with the experts from WACKER. https://www.wacker.com/nutraceutical-gummies
*Grand View Research (2021), Mintel (2021)
