Encapsulated Coenzyme Q10: transforming a dense oil containing Q10 into a free-flowing powder for efficient processing

Context

One of IPS’s long-standing clients, active for years in the production of dietary supplements for cardiovascular wellness, expressed the need to develop a new formulation combining Coenzyme Q10 with a functional oil offering synergistic action.
The goal was to create a product with high bioaccessibility, excellent stability, and easy handling in standard solid supplement manufacturing processes.

However, the initial mix presented as a viscous, oily mass with poor flow properties — unsuitable for capsule filling, tablet compression, or stick pack dosing. This made the formulation difficult to handle, unstable over time, and incompatible with standard production lines.

Challenge

The main challenge was to transform a lipid-based ingredient — consisting of a dense oil containing Coenzyme Q10 — into a free-flowing and stable powder, while maintaining:
• a homogeneous distribution of Q10 within the lipid matrix;
• protection of the active from oxidation, light, and heat;
• the functional bioaccessibility of Coenzyme Q10 once ingested.

The customer also required that the resulting powder be highly flowable and suitable for use in hard capsules or sachets without major equipment modifications.

Solution

Thanks to FlowActives® technology, IPS developed a controlled coacervation microencapsulation process capable of incorporating the functional oil enriched with Coenzyme Q10 into a flexible and permeable biopolymeric matrix.

This process allowed:
• the conversion of the viscous liquid into a stable, free-flowing powder while maintaining uniform active content;
• effective protection of Coenzyme Q10 from oxidation and moisture;
• a homogeneous release of both Q10 and the synergistic lipid component, improving the overall functional availability.

The microencapsulated oil was thus transformed into solid, free-flowing microcapsules — easy to dose and compatible with the main nutraceutical dosage forms.

Results

The final outcome was a stable, highly flowable microencapsulated ingredient, where the lipid phase was uniformly distributed within the matrix and Coenzyme Q10 retained its functional integrity.

The client was able to:
• simplify production by eliminating sticking and agglomeration issues typical of dense oils;
• obtain a technically manageable powder, ideal for capsules and sachets;
• maintain the cardiovascular benefits of the formulation, supported by improved functional bioaccessibility.

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how FlowActives® technology provides a strategic solution for managing and valorizing complex oily ingredients, transforming them into stable and functional solid forms.
For supplement manufacturers, this means expanded formulation possibilities, improved process efficiency, and the ability to deliver innovative, high-quality nutraceutical products.

Contact us to find out how to integrate FlowActives® technology into your development projects.