Expert: Balancing Science and Taste: How EZ Melts Advances Fast-Dissolving Tablet Formulations

In this discussion, David Mastropietro, RPh, PhD, Senior Pharmaceutical Scientist for the EZ Melts product line, shares insights into the challenges and innovations behind fast-dissolving tablets. As a professor at the College of Pharmacy at Nova Southeastern University and a registered pharmacist in the State of Florida, Dr. Mastropietro brings both academic and practical expertise to the topic.

He highlights how taste-masking continues to be a significant challenge for orally disintegrating formulations, especially with botanicals and nutrient extracts. By considering factors such as dose, flavor systems, formulation science, and particle size, he explains how researchers approach the balance between efficacy and patient acceptability in these types of delivery systems.

Pharmacy Times: Are there ongoing or upcoming studies at EZ Melts evaluating the clinical performance of these tablets for prescription medications?

David Mastropietro, R.Ph., Ph.D.:At this time, we do not have any ongoing efforts to utilize our technology in prescription medications. We may be open to that in the future, but our current focus is strictly on dietary supplements and creating user-friendly experiences for them. It is still a challenging process for us to consistently deliver nutrients in a form that is tasty, quick-dissolving, and truly enjoyable for daily consumption, while also supporting overall needs and well-being.

Pharmacy Times: Taste-masking has historically been a challenge for orally disintegrating formulations. How has EZ Melts tackled this issue while maintaining efficacy?

Mastropietro: Just as we may be very familiar with in the pharmacy environment, many of the medications we take do not have the most desirable taste. The same is true for certain dietary supplements and nutrients. Many of them still have an unpleasant taste, particularly those derived from botanical origins or extract-based products.

I like to think of this as a big balancing act. You are balancing several factors at once, and the first is the right dose. It depends on what you are trying to deliver in these types of tablets. You can only include a certain amount. For example, you cannot deliver a one-gram dose of something and expect it to dissolve quickly in the mouth if taste is also a concern. Likewise, you cannot add large amounts of an ingredient with an especially strong or unpleasant flavor and expect to mask it easily. Having the right dose is critical.

The second factor is flavor and flavor combinations. This involves understanding the specific taste you are trying to mask and how to complement it. Using some tricks of the trade, we work to reduce bitter notes, astringency, and lingering aftertastes so they can be masked appropriately.

The third factor is having the right science. We apply formulation science with our active nutraceutical ingredients in much the same way it is done in the pharmaceutical environment. Taste masking is always a significant challenge, but specialized excipients can help. Some taste maskers directly block unpleasant notes, while other materials can be used to coat ingredients, reducing flavor release or controlling dissolution so they are less noticeable on the taste buds. We also consider particle size, since that affects mouthfeel when the product is placed into a tablet.

All of these elements—dose, flavor, formulation science, and particle size—come together in that balancing act to tackle the challenge of taste masking. The goal is not only to make the product tolerable but also enjoyable for someone to take.