DEVELOPMENT OF THE OPTIMAL COMPOSITION AND TECHNOLOGY OF “GEPAGAL” CAPSULES BASED ON A DRY HERBAL EXTRACT

Abstract

The present study was aimed at developing the optimal composition and manufacturing technology of a biologically active supplement (BAS) in capsule form based on the dry extract “GEPAGAL.” The extract was obtained from a 5:1 mixture of Silybum marianum L. seeds and Calendula officinalis L. flowers, known for their hepatoprotective properties. Preliminary investigations revealed unsatisfactory technological characteristics of the dry extract, including poor flowability, low bulk density, and an unfavorable particle size distribution, making direct encapsulation impossible. Therefore, a wet granulation method was selected to improve the technological properties of the extract.