Magnesium Stearate
Magnesium Stearate (IP/BP/USP) is a widely used pharmaceutical lubricant for tablet and capsule manufacturing. The European Pharmacopoeia text describes it as a compound of magnesium with a mixture of solid organic acids, consisting mainly of variable proportions of magnesium stearate and magnesium palmitate, and notes that it is a white or almost white, very fine, light powder,
greasy to the touch.
It is used to improve powder flow and reduce friction during compression and encapsulation. The pharmacopoeial text states that it is practically insoluble in water and anhydrous ethanol, with
magnesium content specified at 4.0 to 5.0 percent on dried basis in the fetched Ph.
Key Benefits
- Excellent lubricant for tablet and capsule manufacturing.
- Helps reduce sticking and picking during compression.
- Improves flow properties of powder blends.
- Suitable for a broad range of solid dosage formulations.
Typical Applications:
- Tablet formulations.
- Capsule formulations.
- Dry powder blends and granules.
Typical Quality Parameters:
- Magnesium: 4.0% to 5.0% on dried basis in the fetched Ph.
Eur./BP text. - Stearic acid in fatty acid fraction: minimum 40.0%.
- Sum of stearic acid and palmitic acid: minimum 90.0%.
- Loss on drying: maximum 6.0%
