Nutrient pre-mixes are used in a variety of applications by food/beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers around the world. They offer numerous benefits, which include streamlining the production process because a nutrient system provides a single source of multiple nutrients. Additionally, manufacturers will experience savings on labor, inventory and testing. Pre-mixes also offer greater consistency and address issues surrounding product taste and texture early in the development stage. 

Recently, I sat down with Cathy Arnold, Fortitech’s regional formulations manager for North America, for a brief overview of the steps a food scientist needs to follow when dry-blending a multiple-ingredient formula to make a homogeneous pre-mix:

1) Test all active ingredients, identify and establish potency limits. If raw materials are not tested prior to use, it may be difficult to determine whether a problem with the final product is related to blending or to the ingredients.

2) If possible, render all ingredients free-flowing. This can be done with milling, granulation, making pre-blends, trituration, spray drying and other techniques.

3) Purchase ingredients that have consistent particle size distribution or that have a narrow range of variation.

4) Screen lumpy or cohesive ingredients as needed. It will improve homogeneity.

5) Always add a portion of the largest quantity ingredient to the blender first. It will coat the blender and prevent lesser ingredients from sticking to the walls.

6) Before adding small-quantity active nutrients to the blend, be sure that each one is geometrically diluted to assist with adequate blending. That helps prevent loss from ingredients adhering to the blender wall or because the material had not been dispersed uniformly.

For more information, or to get started on a product formulation, visit www.fortitech.com