Compressed tablets based on mineral-functionalized starch and co-crystallized sucrose with natural antioxidants

•Tablets for the simultaneous carrying of zinc and yerba mate extract were developed.•Corn starch allowed obtaining an effective zinc-carrier for tablet preparations.•Co-crystallized sucrose with yerba mate antioxidants showed good compressibility.•Tablets can be used as a supplement of beneficial compounds for the human health.

Compressed tablets based on starch–zinc carriers and co-crystallized sucrose with yerba mate antioxidants were developed. Firstly, the zinc-binding capacity of corn starch was evaluated for being used as a mineral source for the formulations. While, the yerba mate extract was entrapped within a sucrose matrix by co-crystallization. Then, tablets were obtained by compression using co-crystallized products alone and their blends with starch-carriers (85:15, 80:20 and 70:30). All these formulations led to higher tablet hardness than equivalent blends containing raw sucrose. However, high dosages of starch-carriers provoked defects in the tablets (e.g. “capping”). The weight ratio of 80:20 allowed obtaining tablets with optimal hardness values (45–55 kPa), containing zinc (5.4 mg/g tablet) and yerba mate polyphenols (1.3 mg/g tablet). These tablets showed low disintegration times (<10 min) and a fast-release in aqueous medium constituting a useful way for the oral delivery of active compounds with health benefits.