Melatonin Sustained Release 90 80 70 60 40 30 20 10 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Time in hours Fig. 1/ Sustained Release Melatonin: 50 percent is released immediately in the first hour, followed by smaller and steadily decreasing doses. The „smart“ nutraceuticals The future: Sustained-release supplements By Diana Kalustova Release characteristics have long been a topic in the pharmaceutical industry. Without controlled release, many important drugs could not fully exploit their potential, even though they had proven active ingre- dients. One good example of this is insulin, which was discovered in 1921. It quickly became clear that insulin was a substance that could effectively treat diabetes mellitus. However it was only with the development of insulin analogues that exist today, with extremely short to extremely long durations of action, that patients could be helped to achieve a better and longer life. Consequently, more and more manufacturers of food supplements show interest in slow-release forms, as they do recognize the resulting market opportunities. Using three examples from the well-known raw material manufacturer Nutriventia, we will show the innovation potential of this segment. In general, the following applies: Almost any raw material or The galenics can also follow different routes.The most active ingredient can be designed to have a delayed-release important manufacturing processes entail special coatings effect. The effect of sustained release is that the dietary sup- with a reservoir in the core, embedding in a polymer matrix plement released with a delay, evenly and over a longer pe- as well as osmotically controlled systems, but also tablets and riod of time or in varying quantities. Sustained-release dietary capsules with granules or pellets that are "preset” to dissolve. supplements can be manufactured in the form of tablets, For dietary supplements, whose effect should only be capsules, granules or powders. Sustained-release patches with developed in the intestines, sustained-relief forms can be an extended release of active ingredients are also possible. produced that are enteric-coated. tncrep ni esaeleRfr321 / kcotS ebodA / CBM :sotoF ellA e50