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Magnesium stearate, also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance which is solid at room temperature. It has the chemical formula Mg(C18H35O2)2. It is a salt containing two equivalents of stearate (the anion of stearic acid) and one magnesium cation (Mg2+). Magnesium stearate melts at about 88 °C, is not soluble in water, and is generally considered safe for human consumption. Because it is widely regarded as harmless, it is often used as a diluent[1] in the manufacture of medical tablets, capsules and powders.[2] In this regard, the substance is also useful because it has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets; magnesium stearate is the most commonly used lubricant for tablets.[3] It is used to bind sugar in hard candies. It is also a common ingredient in baby formulas. In pure powder form, the substance can be a dust explosion hazard,[4] although this issue is effectively insignificant beyond the manufacturing plants using it.
When used as a filling agent in the manufacture of capsules and tablets, such as vitamins, the source of this ingredient is typically bovine.[citation needed] However, there is an increasing number of vegetarian options in which the product specifically indicates it contains magnesium stearate from vegetable sources.
Magnesium stearate is a major component of "bathtub rings". When produced by soap and hard water, magnesium stearate and calcium stearate both form a white solid insoluble in water, and are collectively known as "soap scum".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnesium_stearate
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