From Core to Coating: How Microbead Composition Dictates Release Rates

Imagine the potential of a nootropic blend enclosed within a single microbead—a tiny sphere packed with nutrients, the 'heart' of the nootropic.*

Microbeads are often multilayered with a solid core packed with nutrients. But that's not all. It's not just about the nutrients inside. It's also about the various actives and other compounds present in the different layers.*

All these are important in how fast or slow the capsule releases its neuro-nutrients into your body.*

From composition to shape and form.

You have to admit it, microbead technology is pretty cool. Its precision and control over nutrient release and delivery can be far superior to traditional methods—it opens up a whole new world for improving brain function.*

But what's truly fascinating is how the composition of microbeads, including the materials they're made of and the properties of the nutrients inside, can control how they release those nutrients.*

Here's an example.

The pH of the environment can trigger different release rates for pH-responsive Cellulose microbeads.¹ Why is that important? Because your stomach and small intestine both have different pH levels.*

How it works.

The stomach is highly acidic, with a pH typically ranging from 1.5 to 3.5, due to the presence of Hydrochloric Acid. This acidic environment is essential for breaking down food and activating digestive enzymes.

However, it can also impact the stability and release of nutrients from within microbeads designed to respond to pH.*

→ When pH-responsive microbeads enter the stomach, where the environment is acidic, they might release nutrients at a slower rate. This can be advantageous for certain nutrients requiring more digestion and absorption time, allowing them to be released gradually and effectively.*

On the other hand, as the stomach contents move into the small intestine, the pH increases to around 6 to 7, becoming less acidic.

→ Here, pH-responsive microbeads may respond differently, releasing nutrients more rapidly due to the change in pH. This timing aligns with the small intestine's role in nutrient absorption, where nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream for distribution throughout the body.*

That’s why the microbeads' size, shape, and structure can also impact the release rates and how they release nutrients.^*2

Things like how much space there is in the microbead matrix, how easily the ingredients dissolve, and how they move through the microbead can all affect release speed.*

And lastly, how microbeads are made and certain materials can influence release characteristics.*

Polymeric coatings: Think of these as a protective shell covering the microbeads.³ However, besides keeping the sensitive nutrients protected, these coatings can also be tweaked to dissolve at different rates.*

So, if you want a slow and steady release of brain-boosting nutrients, you'd use a coating that breaks down slowly. Need a quick pick-me-up? A faster-dissolving coating can do the trick.*

Lipid-based systems: Lipids, the basic components of fats, serve as the building blocks here. We can use and customize them to release nutrients at specific points in the digestive tract.*