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@article{205418,
        author = {Vikas Sharma},
        title = {TASTE MASKING TECHNOLOGIES IN ORAL FORMULATIONS},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {7014-7019},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=205418},
        abstract = {Taste masking is an essential aspect of oral pharmaceutical formulation development, particularly for bitter active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Unpleasant taste significantly affects patient compliance, especially among pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients. Various taste masking technologies have been developed to improve palatability without affecting therapeutic efficacy. Conventional methods such as sweeteners and flavoring agents are now complemented by advanced technologies including polymer coating, microencapsulation, ion exchange resins, inclusion complexation, hot melt extrusion, spray drying, and nanotechnology-based approaches. This review summarizes the mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and applications of major taste masking technologies used in oral formulations. Recent advancements involving artificial intelligence and modern evaluation techniques are also discussed.
Taste masking has become an essential component in the development of oral pharmaceutical formulations due to the increasing demand for patient-friendly dosage forms. Many active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) possess an unpleasant bitter taste, which can significantly reduce patient compliance, particularly among pediatric, geriatric, and psychiatric patients. The problem is more prominent in formulations such as syrups, chewable tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and fast dissolving films where the drug comes directly in contact with taste buds. To overcome these challenges, numerous taste masking technologies have been developed to improve palatability while maintaining drug stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy.
The present review discusses the physiological basis of taste perception and the importance of taste masking in oral drug delivery systems. Various conventional and advanced taste masking approaches are comprehensively reviewed, including the use of sweeteners and flavoring agents, polymer coating, microencapsulation, ion exchange resins, inclusion complexation, granulation, spray drying, hot melt extrusion, solid dispersion techniques, liposomal systems, and prodrug approaches. The mechanisms, advantages, limitations, and pharmaceutical applications of each technology are highlighted in detail.
Special emphasis is given to modern technologies such as nanotechnology-based carriers, artificial intelligence-assisted formulation design, and 3D printing methods that are emerging as promising tools in taste masking research. Additionally, the review summarizes various evaluation methods used for assessing taste masking efficiency, including human taste panels, electronic tongue systems, spectrophotometric analysis, and in vitro dissolution studies in simulated salivary conditions.
The article also addresses challenges associated with taste masking, such as balancing taste suppression with rapid drug release, stability concerns, scale-up difficulties, regulatory requirements, and cost-effectiveness. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of current advancements, evaluation techniques, and future perspectives in taste masking technologies for oral pharmaceutical formulations, emphasizing their critical role in improving patient acceptability, compliance, and therapeutic outcomes.},
        keywords = {Taste masking, Oral formulations, Bitter drugs, Patient compliance, Microencapsulation, Hot melt extrusion, Ion exchange resin, Oral drug delivery.},
        month = {June},
        }