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LYCOAT® for quicker quality coating

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Roquette has developed LYCOAT® range in response to market requirements for more functional coating solutions in terms of organoleptic properties, solubilisation and process efficiency.



What is LYCOAT® ?


LYCOAT® is a modified starch specifically developed for aqueous film coating for immediate release, solid oral dosage forms.


Roquette’s new LYCOAT® range is a major breakthrough in aqueous film coating .


Coating time reduced by up to half, no worries with lumping or foaming, unbeatable quality : LYCOAT® offers enhanced performances compared with standard polymers currently available in the market.


LYCOAT® is available in two viscosity grades:

  • LYCOAT® RS 780, developing lower viscosity
  • LYCOAT® RS 720, developing higher viscosity

LYCOAT Viscosity_Dry substance

Viscosity as a function of dry substance
 



Coating process: simple, quick and efficient


Preparation at its simplest

  • Complete and very rapid dissolution at room temperature using traditional mixing equipment, for lump- and foam-free suspensions.
  • A neutral polymer, LYCOAT® leaves the flavor and the color of tablets totally unaffected.


Low viscosity for substantial cost savings

  • No production stop for cleaning operations or to use specific anti-bearding guns
  • Even at high solid content, LYCOAT® assures spraying uniformity and hence coating quality.

LYCOAT Viscosity_temperature

Viscosity as a function of temperature (Rheometer physica MCR 301)
As temperatures increases, LYCOAT® viscosity decreases, contrary to other polymers, thus avoiding bearding phenomena.



Quick coating cuts process costs

LYCOAT® helps reduce coating costs dramatically thanks to:

  • Minimized coating time
  • No production stops for gun cleaning

LYCOAT Coating time

A shorter coating time with LYCOAT® RS 780 than HPMC
A 3% LYCOAT® deposit is achieved in about 30 minutes vs 60 minutes necessary with HPMC.

 


Coating performances: great, glossy and high quality


pH- independent disintegration time

  • LYCOAT® coating does not significantly alter disintegration time, whatever the pH of the media: water, gastric or intestinal.
  • API solubilisation is unaffected, whatever the pH.


A brilliant appearance

  • Tablets coated with LYCOAT® have a very attractive finish: uniform color, smooth surface, high gloss - No logo-bridging, infilling or intagliations can be detected.


Film robustness

  • The LYCOAT® films on the tablets are more resistant to deformation and stress – No friability or edge chipping can be observed.
  • LYCOAT® also confers good stability together with beneficial barrier properties.
 


Regulatory status


Food regulatory status

LYCOAT® is compliant with the European directive on food additives (E1440) and with the 21 CFR. This makes it an ideal polymer for nutraceutical film coating.


Pharmaceutical regulatory status

LYCOAT® fulfils the analytical tests of the USP/NF monographs and all the analytical specifications of major food or pharmaceutical modified starch monographs.