Zinc

Single-ingredient zinc reference formula at 30 mg per serving, developed as a capsule, tablet or liquid.

Zinc is a reference formula for brands building a single-ingredient zinc product at a default amount of 30 mg of elemental zinc per serving. Zinc is the only active ingredient, so the development work sits with the choice of zinc salt, the salt weight needed to reach 30 mg of zinc, and the taste and tolerance of the finished format.

Capsule is the lead format because a 30 mg zinc amount from a chelated salt fits one standard capsule, while tablet and liquid versions use the same zinc amount with different excipient and flavor systems. The 30 mg default is a mid-range amount for brands that want to stay clear of the higher single-dose tiers.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Zinc30 mg (default amount)Zinc bisglycinate, specified on elemental zinc content; 30 mg zinc per servingZinc gluconate, zinc citrate, zinc picolinate or zinc oxide, each with the input recalculated to 30 mg of elemental zinc; the salt that suits the format is chosen in sampling

Amounts are stated as mg of elemental zinc (Zn, 65.4 g/mol; PubChem CID 23994). Zinc content by weight of each anhydrous salt follows from its molecular weight: zinc bisglycinate 30.6% (CID 151910, 213.5 g/mol), zinc gluconate 14.4% (CID 443445, 455.7 g/mol), zinc picolinate 21.1% (CID 9904746, 309.6 g/mol), zinc citrate 34.2% (CID 11023, 574.3 g/mol, three zinc atoms per formula unit) and zinc oxide 80.3% (CID 3007857, 81.4 g/mol). Hydrate state and assay of the purchased salt are set with the supplier.

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around daily zinc intake and immune nutrition. Zinc is included as the single active so that the amount, the salt and the excipient system can be set without interaction with other actives.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Daily zinc intakeZincIncluded as an essential trace element that is required for the activity of more than 300 enzymes [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Immune nutritionZincPositioned around immune nutrition because zinc acts as a second messenger in immune cells and deficiency is linked to cell-mediated immune dysfunction [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Common cold durationZincA meta-analysis of randomized trials found that oral zinc may shorten the duration of cold symptoms, with high heterogeneity between trials and more adverse events, bad taste and nausea in the zinc groups [2]. Evidence: Mixed

A single mineral at one stated amount keeps the specification short. The same review reports that zinc formulation and dose of ionized zinc did not explain the heterogeneity between trials [2], so the salt and the amount are decisions for the brand and its target market.

Available Formats

The zinc reference formula is built for capsule, tablet and liquid versions; bottle counts are suggestions that the brand can adjust.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule1 capsule30 mg zinc60 or 90 capsulesMicrocrystalline cellulose, flow agent, vegetable capsule shellLead format; one small-fill capsule per serving
Tablet1 tablet30 mg zinc60 or 100 tabletsCellulose, binder, disintegrant, lubricant, coatingCompressed unit with a taste-masking coat
Liquid5 mL30 mg zinc60 mL or 120 mL bottleWater, glycerin, acidulant, sweetener, flavor, preservativeDrops or syrup; needs a soluble zinc salt and taste work

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The input is the zinc amount divided by the zinc content of the lead salt, zinc bisglycinate at 30.6% and an assumed assay of 100%, so 30 mg of zinc needs about 98 mg of salt per serving.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
Capsule98 mg salt300 mg per capsule202 mgFill weight variation, flow, content assay
Tablet98 mg salt350 mg tablet weight252 mgHardness, disintegration, coating adhesion, content assay
Liquid98 mg salt per 5 mL5 mLSolvent and flavor systemSalt solubility, clarity, pH, taste, content assay

Powder stick packs and gummies are separate projects, because a zinc salt at this load shapes the dissolving taste and the gummy matrix differently.

Formulation Considerations

Salt choice and zinc content. The salt weight per serving ranges from about 37 mg for zinc oxide to about 209 mg for zinc gluconate for the same 30 mg of zinc. That spread sets the capsule size, the tablet weight and, for liquids, the solubility limit, so the salt is chosen together with the format.
Metallic taste and tolerance. Trials of oral zinc report bad taste and nausea more often than placebo [2]. A coated tablet, a capsule or a flavored liquid with acidulant and sweetener addresses this with the format rather than the zinc amount.
Mineral interactions in blends. Zinc is commonly combined with copper, vitamin C or other minerals, and each addition changes the blend, the stability plan and the specification. Combinations are developed as separate pages.
Amount tier. The reference set spreads from microgram to hundreds of milligrams per serving; the dose limit for each sales market is reviewed before a product is developed.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the amount per serving, the zinc salt, the format and the taste system.

ParameterRangeNote
Amount per serving15, 25, 30 or 50 mg zincOptions for the brand; capsule fill and tablet weight scale with the salt weight
Zinc saltBisglycinate, gluconate, citrate, picolinate or oxideInput is recalculated to elemental zinc; salt weight ranges roughly fivefold
FormatCapsule, tablet or liquidPowder and gummy are separate projects
Pack size30 to 120 unitsSet by the brand
Add-onsVitamin C, copper, seleniumMineral and vitamin add-ons shift the salt balance and the stability plan

The pilot run confirms capsule fill and flow of the chosen salt, taste masking in the tablet or liquid, and the content assay of the first units against the labeled 30 mg of zinc.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
LiquidLemon, raspberry, orangeTart profiles help cover the metallic note of zinc salts

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (30 mg on the label of CF000902; example DSLD labels 6421, 8835, 45627). The label names the ingredient as zinc; zinc bisglycinate is set as the form.
SpecificationSet in formulationZinc bisglycinate, 30 mg elemental zinc per serving; assay, residual solvent and heavy-metal limits and method are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Prasad AS. Discovery of human zinc deficiency: its impact on human health and disease. Adv Nutr. 2013;4(2):176-90. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Science M, Johnstone J, Roth DE, et al. Zinc for the treatment of the common cold: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. CMAJ. 2012;184(10):E551-61. DOI · PubMed

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