Shellac

Shellac is a natural substance of animal origin, produced from the resinous secretion of the lac insect Kerria lacca, a parasite found on certain trees in South and Southeast Asia. Once harvested, purified and processed, it takes the form of a solid resin composed mainly of long-chain polyesters, waxes and fatty acids. Thanks to its film-forming properties and excellent adhesion to solid surfaces, shellac is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as a glazing agent (E904 code). It forms a thin protective film around tablets and capsules, shielding them from moisture, oxidation and mechanical damage, while giving them a smooth, glossy appearance. In the context of dietary supplements, its role is purely technological: it has no nutritional properties of its own, but contributes to the stability, preservation and visual quality of the finished product. Its use is governed by European regulations and is considered safe at the levels employed.