Properties
| Related Categories | Analytical/Chromatography, Building Blocks, Carbonyl Compounds, Carboxylic Acid Salts, Chemical Synthesis, |
| InChI Key | HQKMJHAJHXVSDF-UHFFFAOYSA-L |
| grade | puriss. |
| assay | ≥40% stearic acid basis (GC) |
| | ≥90% stearic and palmitic acid basis |
| | 4.0-5.0% Mg basis (calc on dry sub.) |
| quality | meets analytical specification of Ph. Eur., BP |
| impurities | acidity or alkalinity, complies |
| | microbiological impurity, in accordance |
| | residual solvents, complies |
| loss | ≤6.0% loss on drying, 105 °C |
| mp | 200 °C(lit.) |
| acid value | 195‑210(fatty acid) |
| solubility | alcohol: insoluble |
| | diethyl ether: insoluble |
| | water: insoluble |
| anion traces | chloride (Cl-): ≤1000 mg/kg |
| | sulfate (SO42-): ≤5000 mg/kg |
| cation traces | Cd: ≤3 mg/kg |
| | Ni: ≤5 mg/kg |
| | Pb: ≤10 mg/kg |
| suitability | in accordance for fatty acid composition |
| | passes test for identity |
Application
Magnesium stearate has been used as a tablet and capsule lubricant. It has also been used for preparing microcapsules.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic acid that possess lubricating properties and hence prevents ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets. Dry coating of drugs with magnesium stearate leads to flow improvement, flow-aid and lubrication effects, tabletability as well as non-inhibited dissolution rate.