2. Home
  3. Info
  4. Case Studies
  5. [Case Studies] How Natur-pH GmbH revolutionized its digestive supplements with gastro-resistant Microencapsulated Peppermint FLOWACTIVES®

[Case Studies] How Natur-pH GmbH revolutionized its digestive supplements with gastro-resistant Microencapsulated Peppermint FLOWACTIVES®

 

The context

Natur-pH GmbH, a German company specializing in botanical dietary supplements, was facing a new challenge: improving the lives of people suffering from functional digestive disorders, particularly bloating, intestinal spasms, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Among the most requested ingredients by consumers and backed by scientific literature [1], peppermint stood out thanks to its well-known spasmolytic, carminative, and refreshing properties, particularly effective for managing intestinal discomfort.

However, using peppermint essential oil in oral products posed significant issues:

Challenges faced by Natur-pH

  • Premature release in the stomach → which may cause heartburn, reflux, and nausea, especially in sensitive individuals
  • Essential oil instability → tendency to degrade when exposed to light, air, or moisture
  • Complex technical handling → liquid form poorly compatible with solid supplement production
  • Inconsistent effectiveness → due to low bioavailability or uncontrolled release

Natur-pH was searching for a technologically advanced, naturally effective, and industrially sustainable solution to incorporate peppermint into its products.

 

The technological breakthrough: IPS’s FLOWACTIVES®

After analyzing available market technologies, Natur-pH chose IPS’s FLOWACTIVES® microcapsules, specifically designed to protect and deliver delicate essential oils like peppermint.

The gastro-resistant FLOWACTIVES® microcapsules offer strategic benefits:

  • Full protection from oxygen, light, and moisture
  • Targeted release in the intestinal tract
  • Industrial ease of use (flowable powder form with accurate dosing)

 

The results: more efficacy, fewer side effects, increased productivity

With the introduction of FLOWACTIVES® microencapsulated peppermint, Natur-pH redesigned its digestive line and launched two new products:

  • Hard capsules with gastro-resistant microencapsulated peppermint, combined with turmeric and magnesium
  • Sugar-free orodispersible sachet with a refreshing and deflating effect, well tolerated even by those with reflux

 

Reported benefits

  • Increased gastric tolerability → reduced reports of discomfort or rejection due to peppermint release in the stomach
  • Enhancedintestinalbioavailability
  • Optimized production → by eliminating the handling of oils and viscous blends, machine downtimes for cleaning were significantly reduced, improving automated dosing
  • Greater formulation stability, even in blends with sensitive ingredients

 

Conclusions

Thanks to gastro-resistant microencapsulated peppermint FLOWACTIVES®, Natur-pH GmbH succeeded in:

  • Modernizing and strengthening its digestive range
  • Offering more effective, better-tolerated, and innovative products
  • Demonstrating that technology, when properly applied, can enhance even the most delicate natural ingredients

 

[1] "In the most comprehensive meta-analysis to date, peppermint oil was shown to be a safe and effective therapy for pain and global symptoms in adults with IBS."
— Alammar N, Wang L, Saberi B, et al. (2019). The impact of peppermint oil on the irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis of the pooled clinical data. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies.