Magnesium Stearate in Medicine and Beyond

Tablets and pills, vitamins and powders. These all owe their consistency – the amount of active ingredient per serving – to products such as magnesium stearate. This long-chain saturated fat acts as a flow agent allowing ingredients to properly separate into tiny capsules without clogging machinery or adhering to the sides of capsules. As a USP ingredient supplier, Bell Chem ensures its magnesium stearate meets all medical levels of purity. This ingredient is utilized in more than the pharmaceutical industry, though. Read below for the many areas where magnesium stearate is the best choice for your company.

Magnesium Stearate

Usually processed with a salt (magnesium), stearic acid is derived from many animal or plant sources, including chicken, beef, palm oil, eggs, salmon, coconut oil, and dairy products. Magnesium ions bond with stearate molecules to form an acid/base reaction creating a salt: magnesium stearate. At room temperature, magnesium stearate is a solid, white powder. 

Scientists have confirmed stearic acid is the sole long-chain saturated fat that does not raise levels of cholesterol. 

Pharmaceutical uses

Magnesium stearate is an inactive ingredient that keeps active ingredients flowing freely. Medications are often coated with magnesium stearate, and the flavor is rather distinct. As a saturated fat, it also acts as a lubricant for many medications.

Inside the body, magnesium stearate breaks down slowly, allowing medication to pass through the stomach before being broken down in the small intestine where the medication is absorbed rather than destroyed in the extremely acidic conditions of the stomach.

Cosmetics

As with medications, magnesium stearate adds bulk to active ingredients, helps separate the ingredients to give the same amount of ingredient with every use, and it also acts as a handy colorant for products that would normally be transparent or clear. 

Many cosmetics, such as foundations, eyeliner, deodorants, blushes, lipstick, face powder, and hair care products rely on magnesium stearate for its thickening, lubricating, and binding properties.

For products with an oily base, magnesium stearate deters separation of oils from liquids.

Food industry

Magnesium stearate is an emulsifier, binder, and thickener in processed foods. Spices and baking ingredients enjoy its anti-caking abilities, it acts as an emulsifier in chewing gum and confections, and magnesium stearate thickens dietary supplements. 

Bell Chem is a USP ingredient supplier based in Longwood, Florida, (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including magnesium stearate. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.