Excipient Matters: Why AbinoNutra Supplements Include Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, and Silicon Dioxide

When we think about dietary supplements, few people consider the inactive components, commonly referred to as excipients, that make these products functional, stable, and safe to consume.

Excipients are more than inert fillers; they serve critical roles in ensuring proper tablet or capsule formation, improving stability, and enhancing the bioavailability of active ingredients. In the case of AbinoNutra supplements, three widely used excipients are microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide. Each contributes uniquely to the quality and reliability of the final product.

Microcrystalline Cellulose

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is derived from purified plant cellulose and is widely used in pharmaceuticals and supplements as a tablet filler and binder. It has several important functions:

Tablet formation: MCC provides structural integrity, allowing powders to compress into stable tablets without crumbling.
Flowability and consistency: It improves the uniformity of the mixture, ensuring that each tablet contains an accurate dose of active ingredients.
Non-reactive nature: MCC is chemically inert, meaning it does not react with vitamins, minerals, or other active molecules.

In essence, MCC acts as the “skeleton” of the tablet.

Magnesium Stearate

Magnesium stearate is a salt formed from stearic acid and magnesium. It functions primarily as a lubricant in supplement manufacturing:

Reducing friction: It prevents powders from sticking to machinery during tablet compression or capsule filling.
Improving tablet quality: Magnesium stearate helps maintain smooth surfaces and uniform shapes, reducing breakage during packaging and transport.
Safety and tolerance: At the levels used in dietary supplements, magnesium stearate is considered safe and non-toxic.

While small amounts are used—typically less than 2% of tablet weight—its presence is essential for consistent production and reliable dosing.

Silicon Dioxide (SiO₂)

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂), also called colloidal silica, is used in supplements as an anti-caking agent and flow enhancer:

Preventing clumping: SiO₂ absorbs trace moisture and keeps powders free-flowing.
Maintaining stability: By preventing aggregation, it helps ensure uniform mixing and accurate dosing.
Compatibility: Silicon dioxide is chemically inert and safe for human consumption at the levels used in supplements.

It ensures that powders and granules behave predictably during manufacturing and storage.

Excipients are not just fillers—they are critical enablers for delivering active ingredients safely and effectively. Without them, tablets could crumble, powders could clump, and dosage could vary. Without them, the active ingredients could not reach you safely, accurately, and consistently. Understanding excipients helps consumers appreciate the scientific rigor behind supplement formulation.

By AbinoNutra Biological Research Staff

1.Alyami H, Dahmash E, Bowen J, Mohammed AR. An investigation into the effects of excipient particle size, blending techniques and processing parameters on the homogeneity and content uniformity of a blend containing low-dose model drug. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0178772. Published 2017 Jun 13.

2.Thoorens G, Krier F, Leclercq B, Carlin B, Evrard B. Microcrystalline cellulose, a direct compression binder in a quality by design environment--a review. Int J Pharm. 2014;473(1-2):64-72.

3.Zarmpi P, Flanagan T, Meehan E, Mann J, Fotaki N. Impact of Magnesium Stearate Presence and Variability on Drug Apparent Solubility Based on Drug Physicochemical Properties. AAPS J. 2020;22(4):75. Published 2020 May 21.

4.Yoo NK, Jeon YR, Choi SJ. Determination of Two Differently Manufactured Silicon Dioxide Nanoparticles by Cloud Point Extraction Approach in Intestinal Cells, Intestinal Barriers and Tissues. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(13):7035. Published 2021 Jun 29.

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