I. Introduction to Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Stearate is a white, light, and fine powder, free of grittiness, with a slight characteristic odor. It produces a greasy sensation when in contact with the skin. It is insoluble in water, ethanol, or ether. It is primarily used as a lubricant, anti-adherent, and glidant. It is particularly suitable for processing oils and extracts into granules due to its excellent flowability and compressibility. It can be used as a glidant in direct compression, as well as a filter aid, clarifying agent, defoaming agent, and as a suspending or thickening agent in liquid preparations.
II. The Role of Adding Magnesium Oxide to Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Stearate is a mixture; Magnesium Stearate and Magnesium Palmitate are its primary components. It may also contain small amounts of Magnesium Oleate and up to 7% Magnesium Oxide.
The addition of Magnesium Oxide (MgO) is beneficial for increasing the total magnesium content. In the production process, Stearic Acid reacts with Magnesium Oxide to generate Magnesium Stearate. If the Magnesium Oxide content is too low, the free acid value after reaction with stearic acid will be too high, resulting in a non-compliant product.
Depending on the specific application requirements of the Magnesium Stearate, the type and specifications of Magnesium Oxide used will vary. Generally, there are high standards for MgO content, particle size, the number of “black spots” (impurities), and chloride levels. The Magnesium Oxide specifically for Magnesium Stearate is a type of food-grade MgO, and its technical indicators share similarities with pharmaceutical-grade MgO. Zehui Magnesium Base can customize various specifications of Magnesium Oxide according to customer needs and has consistently received excellent feedback within the industry. Today, with the expanding market applications of Magnesium Stearate, the demand for Magnesium Oxide continues to grow.
III. Applications of Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Stearate is widely used in industries such as food additives, pharmaceuticals, plastics, rubber, coatings, and textiles. It mainly functions as an anti-caking agent, emulsifier, mold release agent, lubricant, stabilizer, thickener, and accelerator.
- As a Pharmaceutical Excipient:
Magnesium Stearate is a modern pharmaceutical excipient. It can be used as a film-coating material for solid preparations, a thickener for colloidal liquid preparations, a lubricant and release agent for tablets, and a suspending agent. - As a Food Additive:
It is also used as a food additive, commonly found in tableted foods such as preserved fruits, milk tablets, and candies. Its role is similar to that in pharmaceutical tablets: it improves the surface finish of the tablets, reduces wear and tear on the tablet press, and minimizes variations in tablet weight. - As an Active Agent:
Magnesium Stearate can be used as a surfactant to modify the surface of magnesium powder, thereby achieving flame-retardant properties for the magnesium powder.