Vitamin A is not a single compound, but a group of components that include retinal, retinol, retinoic acid, beta-carotene, and provitamin A carotenoids. [1] You will find this vitamin in numerous supplements. In some formulas, it is the main component, but it is also frequently present in multivitamin supplements.
You might be taking this vitamin already, but have you ever wondered about the vitamin A manufacturing process? It might be interesting to learn more about this process, especially if you are interested in launching a supplement on the market.
Choosing Ingredients and Getting Them Ready
When you consume vitamin A, you choose an animal or plant-based source. [2] You can find this vitamin in fish liver, dairy products, mango, carrots, and other fruits and veggies of orange and red colors.
But when it comes to manufacturing, you have two options for choosing the ingredients for sourcing vitamin A. Those include going with natural or synthetic sources.
The majority of manufacturers and brands pick synthetic sources, and there is a good reason for that. That is because it accelerates and simplifies the process. Additionally, it keeps the price low, which can be a primary concern for up and coming supplement companies.
The alternative is going with natural sources, such as fish oil. You might also find pre-made vitamin A under the name retinal or retinol. But whatever you decide, it is crucial to pick a reliable manufacturer. The best supplement manufacturing companies will guide you through the entire process. [3]
They can take care of everything, from sourcing ingredients to packaging. That way, you can rest assured that your supplement will be of supreme quality, and based on your detailed instructions. Even if you are not sure how you want vitamin A incorporated in your new product, manufacturing experts can help you find the most suitable solution.
It might be easier to make a pure vitamin A supplement, but what if you want it to be a part of a multivitamin formula? That way, you can include multiple benefits in a single product, which can be more attractive for potential customers.
If you pick a reliable manufacturer, they can help you to create a vitamin blend by following your instructions. Most companies are equipped with a mill machine, which will ensure to turn the ingredients into a fine powder, which is necessary for the rest of the process.
As soon as the ingredients are ready, it’s time to mix them into a blend. The crucial part of this step includes weighing them thoroughly. It is imperative to follow the formula to maintain the specified compound ratio.
Coating, Testing & Bottling
The next step in the vitamin A manufacturing process is checking if everything was weighed well. That means the proportions should be confirmed by testing. You should ensure that the manufacturer checks every batch to ensure optimal ratios. During that time, it is also vital to inspect for any visual blemishes or other potential errors that might happen in a batch.
Now that you have the ingredients ready, it is time to choose the desired way of packaging and administering. The first thing that you want to pick is the preferred coating method for the ingredients.
The available choices include the following: [3]
- Liquid capsules
- Capsules
- Tablets
- Soft gels
- Gummies
- Powders
- Liquids
Liquid Capsules
The main advantage of liquid capsules is that you can pack two different blends in a single unit. You can use a half of the capsule for vitamin A, and the other half for another ingredient blend you want the user to enjoy.
Once the compounds are added to the selected halves, a machine seals them together to form a capsule. Admirable loading capacity and minimal chances of contents spilling are the benefits of choosing this form. Additionally, you can choose vegetarian or vegan-friendly capsules.
Capsules and Soft Gels
These are similar to the previous form we described, except you pack a single blend inside. You can add powders to standard capsules, and modern machines ensure to seal the capsule and keep the contents safe.
The difference between capsules and soft gels is that you inject the product into the latter. After loading the soft gel, the pump gets closed, and it takes several days to dry. Apart from choosing shape and size, soft gels are tamper-proof, odorless, and easy to swallow.
Tablets
If you have a vitamin A product that comes as a powder, you should consider packing using capsules as the preferred delivery method. The great thing about tablets is that they come with a simple manufacturing process.
A machine takes care of making tablets from the powder. Depending on your preference, tablets can have virtually any size and shape. You can also pick colors of your choice, which can be a neat way of easily identifying and separating your vitamin A formula from other products in your portfolio.
If necessary, you can add film or even sugar coating to the product. A film coating makes the tablet more comfortable to swallow, and sugar might ensure that there is no aftertaste. However, keep in mind that some consumers do not appreciate sugar in their supplements.
Gummies
You probably noticed vitamins that come in the form of gummies. These may be suitable for children, as well as those who can’t swallow soft gels or capsules.
The manufacturing process can get a bit complex, and everything begins with adding the ingredient blend into the mold and letting it sit for approximately 24 hours.
After that, the manufacturer will give enough time for the item to dry and cool down. That ends up the process, which is finished by packing the gummies into the desired bottle or another pack.
Powders
The great thing about powders is that you can combine them with your favorite beverages, and experiment with different flavors and tastes. Powders can be vegan-friendly and include other ingredients except for vitamin A.
Liquids
While liquids might secure a high level of nutrients because of their admirable absorption rate, they might come with a specific odor and aftertaste. However, if the consumer doesn’t mind that, this is an excellent way to get a load of vitamin A in a single dose.
Packaging
The final step of the vitamin A manufacturing process is packing the supplement into the desired package.
If you go with capsules, tablets, soft gels, or liquids, you should probably go with bottles. However, tablets and capsules might also go into blister packaging, and the choice is only up to you. [4]
Bottles are a convenient way of storing a long-term supply into a compact-sized container. The process itself is simple – it starts with counting the capsules, and the desired number is added to the bottle through the chute. A sealed lid goes on top to prove there was no tampering with the product until it reached the end-user.
It is also important to design the label. The brands should ensure that it follows the latest regulations and meets the requirements of relevant authorities. You should include expiration date, ingredient list, as well as other information users might find useful.
You might be wondering how packing the products works on a large scale. If you order a huge number of units, the manufacturer has the task of ensuring the quick delivery time.
That is where the Automatic Storage and Retrieval Tower System helps immensely. It ensures that all the operations are done accurately and safely, and automation reduces the odds of human error. [5]
The final step is to pack the bottles in boxes and get them ready for shipping to the client. The delivery time will depend on the order size and other details, but reliable manufacturers will ensure to complete everything as soon as possible. They will also ensure to be at your disposal throughout the entire process and take care that the manufacturing process goes smoothly and results in a high-quality vitamin A supplement.
What Are the Benefits of Vitamin A?
If you are asking about the manufacturing process, the chances are you know that vitamin A comes with multiple benefits.
Here are the advantages you should know: [6]
- Eye and vision protection – the deficiency of vitamin A can lead to nyctalopia or night blindness. [7] Additionally, beta-carotene helps to preserve optimal eyesight and minimize age-related decline.
- Supports a healthy immunity – vitamin A can play a role in maintaining healthy immunity and help to resist infections and accelerate the recovery process.
- Minimize acne issues – acne appears as a result of skin inflammation. Vitamin A might help to minimize the risk of developing acne.
- Supports children’s growth and development – vitamin A deficiency can appear in children and sustain their growth and development. That is why it is vital to ensure their vitamin A intake is optimal.
The benefits of vitamin A make it quite popular among users. If you are ready to jump on board and test the market with a new supplement, make sure to find a manufacturer that can meet all your expectations during the manufacturing process.
Start Manufacturing Your Own Vitamin A Supplement
SMP Nutra is capable of manufacturing any kind of nutraceutical formula. You can check out our many stock products here, or you can contact us about custom manufacturing of your formula.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_A
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3936685/
- https://smpnutra.com/vitamin-manufacturing
- https://www.slideshare.net/GirishSahu13/pharmaceutical-packaging-tablet-and-capsules
- https://smpnutra.com/how-are-vitamins-made-from-scratch
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-a-benefits
- https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/138/10/1835/4669996