Saw Palmetto oil is extracted from the fruits of a dwarf palm that is found mainly in the south-east of the United States of America. Being an oil rich in fatty acids and phytosterols, Saw Palmetto is used to successfully control benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. The microencapsulation of this extract, done by IPS, helps to protect the active ingredient and to preserve its nutritional characteristics over time.

The use of microencapsulated Saw Palmetto in the production of food supplements offers numerous advantages over traditional supplements. To produce FlowActives microcapsules of essential oils, IPS uses a technique called microencapsulation by coacervation which stabilises the active ingredient, making it resistant to ageing. Furthermore, microencapsulation allows the controlled release of the active ingredient that averages at a concentration of around 75%.

This process obtains a high performing product which can be added to solid oral formulations such as hard capsules, single-dose sachets or orodispersible formulations.

Microcapsules of Saw Palmetto oily extracts have been specially designed for the production of food supplements and nutraceuticals. Thanks to the thin membrane that surrounds and incorporates the active ingredient in the liquid state, a gradual release of the substance is obtained as well as a perfect protection from oxidising agents. In addition, Saw Palmetto microcapsules allow perfect delivery of the active part (fatty acids) to the intestine, promoting its therapeutic efficacy.

The effectiveness of the microencapsulated Saw Palmetto extract for food and nutraceutical application offered by IPS has been demonstrated and confirmed by several studies and its use in the production of supplements and nutraceuticals is widespread.