As polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), omega-3s are highly sensitive to oxidation, leading to a degradation of product quality which also negatively affects taste and bioavailability. To counteract this, gelatin Softgels have become a common delivery format as gelatin acts as a buffer, protecting capsule content against lipid oxidation. However, another challenge is the oxidation process in the stomach, where the acidic environment can result in premature degradation of the gelatin capsules. As a result, only a small amount of the omega-3 content remains bioavailable, which necessitates the overdosing of Softgel capsules. Studies show that the highest rate of oxidation occurs during the gastric phase, where oxidative stress can result in up to 80 per cent loss of bioactivity.¹ Therefore, to protect the PUFAs during this critical stage and enhance the quantity reaching the small intestine, enteric capsules are needed.

Traditionally, the production of enteric capsules involves two steps, the second of which is the application of an enteric coating. However, DELASOL^® offers an optimal, cost-efficient alternative that delivers all the benefits of gelatin, and protects the PUFAs against oxidation, in just one step. This results in a delayed release of non-oxidized omega-3s after passing through the highly oxidative environment of the stomach, which leads to a significant dosage reduction in smaller capsules while ensuring optimal active nutritional ingredients reaching the gut. This can be hugely beneficial during omega-3 shortages, such as those experienced in recent years because of challenging fishing seasons. Manufacturers using DELASOL^® can streamline production into a single step, reduce omega-3 dosage per capsule and enjoy significant savings in terms of cost, time, and resources.

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1. Floro, et al. (2022) Bio accessibility and Oxidative Stability of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Supplements, Sardines and Enriched Eggs Studied Using a Static In Vitro Gastrointestinal Model. Molecules 27, 415