Introduction
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a widely used ingredient in the nutraceutical sector due to its well-known digestive, antioxidant, and gastrointestinal-support properties. It is traditionally included in formulations aimed at digestive health, nausea management, inflammation control, and overall well-being.
Despite its recognized benefits, the formulation of ginger presents several challenges, particularly related to its intense organoleptic profile and potential gastric sensitivity, especially at higher dosages or in sensitive individuals.
In this context, IPS has developed solutions based on proprietary and patented MATRIS® and MINIACTIVES® technologies, designed to improve sensory acceptance and modulate the interaction of the active ingredient with the gastrointestinal tract.
Properties and application fields of ginger
Ginger offers multiple nutraceutical applications:
- Digestive support
Traditionally used to promote digestion and gastrointestinal comfort. - Nausea management
Included in nutritional protocols to help reduce nausea and gastric discomfort. - Antioxidant activity
Rich in bioactive compounds such as gingerols and shogaols. - General gastrointestinal wellness
Used in formulations aimed at supporting digestive functionality.
Formulation challenges of ginger
The use of ginger in nutraceutical formulations is limited by:
- Strong taste and pungency, difficult to mask
- Potential gastric irritation or sensitivity
- Variability in sensory perception depending on concentration
- Negative impact on consumer compliance
These aspects highlight the need for a technological approach capable of improving both tolerability and acceptability.
IPS innovation: Ginger MATRIS® and Ginger MINIACTIVES®
IPS has developed two complementary technological approaches:
Ginger MATRIS®
Based on direct microencapsulation of the active ingredient using proprietary and patented MATRIS® technology, it provides:
- Effective taste masking, reducing pungency and organoleptic impact
- Reduced gastric sensitivity
- Improved gastrointestinal tolerability
- Release modulation without altering the nature of the active ingredient
Ginger MINIACTIVES®
Based on proprietary MINIACTIVES® technology, it enables:
- Controlled and modulated release
- Improved distribution of the active ingredient
- Greater formulation uniformity
- Flexibility to adapt to different dosage requirements
Scientific evidence
IPS technologies are supported by scientific evidence:
- MATRIS® technology: preclinical studies conducted on advanced in vitro 3D models and human intestinal and gastric organoids demonstrate improved tolerability, reduced impact on gastric membranes, and better interaction with the intestinal epithelium.
- MINIACTIVES® technology: clinical studies conducted on Coenzyme Q10 and Citicoline MINIACTIVES® show improved release profile, bioaccessibility, and tolerability.
Although these studies were not conducted directly on ginger, the results confirm that the observed benefits are attributable to the technologies themselves, which represent the key factor influencing the behavior of microencapsulated active ingredients.
Formulations and applications
Ginger MATRIS® and MINIACTIVES® are suitable for:
- capsules
- tablets
- sachets and stick packs
- single-dose vials
- SmarTTabs®, technological innovation by IPS for direct compression, preserving the technological characteristics
This versatility enables the development of digestive formulations with improved tolerability and enhanced sensory acceptability.
Conclusion
Ginger is a highly valuable nutraceutical ingredient, but its strong sensory profile and potential gastric sensitivity limit its use in conventional formulations.
With Ginger MATRIS® and MINIACTIVES®, IPS provides complementary technological solutions that improve tolerability, sensory acceptance, and formulation performance.
The MATRIS® and MINIACTIVES® platforms further confirm the role of the SURACTIVES® division of IPS as a technology provider in the development of advanced nutraceutical ingredients.
Note: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice.
