[Case Study] Microencapsulation of Anise Mix for Digestive Supplements with FlowActives®

Context

A European company specialized in the contract manufacturing of herbal and digestive supplements was tasked with developing a new formulation based on Anise Mix.
The active ingredient is a standardized blend of fennel and caraway essential oils, known for their carminative, digestive, and antimicrobial activity.
The goal was to create a natural supplement that could support digestive well-being, reduce bloating and abdominal discomfort, and ensure a pleasant sensory profile with high consumer compliance.

Technical challenges

Despite the beneficial properties of the blend, the R&D and production teams encountered several formulation and manufacturing issues:

• Handling of free oil
  The oily nature of the blend caused frequent clogging of capsule-filling machines, leading to line stoppages and inaccurate dosing.
• Instability and oxidation
  Exposure to light and oxygen led to degradation and loss of functional efficacy over time.
• Uncontrolled organoleptic profile
  The strong aroma of anise risked being too persistent and unpleasant, with potential reflux and aftertaste issues.
• Lack of targeted release
  The free oil was released already in the stomach, reducing gastrointestinal tolerance and limiting efficacy at the intestinal level.

The solution: FlowActives® technology

To overcome these limitations, the company adopted FlowActives® microencapsulation technology, developed by IPS, and applied it to Anise Mix.
Through a controlled coacervation process, the essential oil blend was incorporated into a protective matrix, generating dry, free-flowing, and stable microcapsules that are easy to dose and compatible with standard manufacturing processes.

Benefits achieved

Thanks to FlowActives® microencapsulation, the client obtained clear and measurable advantages:

• Conversion of oil into free-flowing powder: simplified industrial handling with no adhesion or equipment fouling.
• Improved stability: protection against oxidation and extended shelf-life.
• Organoleptic control: harmonized aroma, eliminating reflux and unpleasant aftertaste.
• Targeted release: microcapsules resist gastric pH and release active ingredients in the intestine, improving tolerability.
• Standardized dosing: each capsule contains homogeneous and reproducible amounts of active ingredient.

Industrial and formulation results

• Higher production efficiency, with reduced downtime.
• Accurate and repeatable dosing, with no oil loss.
• Improved consumer compliance, thanks to controlled flavor and intestinal release.
• Customer satisfaction, with the launch of a stable, innovative, and differentiating digestive supplement.

Technical note on coacervation

FlowActives® technology employs coacervation to create a multilayer protective barrier around essential oils.
This system provides isolation from environmental factors while ensuring the availability of active ingredients at the intestinal level through a controlled and effective release.

Conclusion

With FlowActives®, the company successfully transformed a critical blend like Anise Mix into a functional ingredient that is stable, easy to process, and clinically and sensorially effective, opening new opportunities for innovative and differentiated digestive supplements.

Bibliography

• Bakkali, F. et al. (2008). Biological effects of essential oils – A review. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 46(2), 446–475.
• Tongnuanchan, P. &Benjakul, S. (2014). Essential oils: extraction, bioactivities, and their uses for food preservation. Journal of Food Science, 79(7), R1231–R1249.
• EFSA (2010). Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to essential oils. EFSA Journal, 8(10):1793.