Compressol™ ProTab – Protecting Probiotics During Direct Compression

FROM CHALLENGE TO TRIUMPH

Probiotics are highly sensitive to mechanical stress and moisture, making them difficult to formulate into direct compression tablets without compromising activity. Traditional tableting methods risk damaging the cell walls, which either reduces efficacy or requires overloading the dose, increasing cost. Using Compressol ProTab, SPI Pharma enabled the production of robust swallow tablets at very low compression forces, preserving probiotic viability nearly as well as the uncompressed blend. The result is a cost-effective, patientfriendly tablet that protects probiotic activity while simplifying manufacturing compared to hard gelatin capsules.

THE CHALLENGES

• Probiotic Sensitivity: Probiotics are fragile and easily damaged by compression and moisture.
• Maintaining Efficacy: Damage to the cell wall reduces activity, requiring overloading of the dose or risking ineffective tablets.
• Formulation Constraints: Needed a robust tablet using direct compression without compromising probiotic viability.

STRATEGIC RESPONSE

• Selected Compressol ProTab for its high compressibility and ability to form tablets at very low compression forces.
• Optimized direct compression to minimize mechanical stress on the probiotic while maintaining tablet integrity.
• Validated performance through testing to ensure probiotic activity was preserved and tablets met desired quality attributes.

THE SOLUTION

SPI Pharma leveraged Compressol™ ProTab to produce robust swallow tablets containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. Its high compressibility allowed tablets to be manufactured at very low compression forces, minimizing mechanical stress and preserving probiotic activity. The resulting tablets maintained structural integrity while ensuring nearly the same probiotic viability as the uncompressed blend, providing a patient friendly, effective, and easily manufactured dosage form.

RESULTS

Using Compressol ProTab, robust direct-compression tablets containing Lactobacillus acidophilus were successfully manufactured, preserving probiotic activity nearly as well as the uncompressed blend. The low compression force approach simplified production, reduced reliance on hard gelatin capsules, and provided a cost-effective, patient-friendly tablet. This solution demonstrated consistent tablet integrity, protected probiotic viability, and streamlined manufacturing, offering both technical and operational benefits.

See the case study on Compressol™ ProTab – Protecting Probiotics During Direct Compression here

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Source: SPI Pharma, technical brochure Protecting Probiotics During Direct Compression

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