high quality, low risk: Gelatin as preferred excipient for soft capsules from qocsuing's blog

high quality, low risk: Gelatin as preferred excipient for soft capsules

A softgel capsule is an edible package that is filled and formed simultaneously. It is meant to protect ingredients that are sensitive to light and oxygen-induced degradation, facilitate oral administration, and mask unpleasant tastes or smells[1]​. Softgel capsules are increasingly preferred in the pharmaceutical field for their proprieties, but also by consumers, who perceive them as easier to swallow[2]​. Indeed, demand for softgel capsules is continually growing: the global softgel capsule market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.72 percent by 2026[3]​.Get more news about Immune Soft Capsules,you can vist our website!

To meet growing demand and consumers’ formulation requirements, softgel capsule formulators must select the right shell excipient, compatible with fill material characteristics, to ensure a high-quality, low-risk, and robust product. Today’s softgel capsule formulators have several shell excipient options for new product development: gelatin or alternative capsule excipients, such as carrageenan and/or modified starch. When selecting a shell excipient, many product variables need to be considered, such as release profile and intended use, fill characteristics, shell/fill interactions, existing process capabilities, container/closure configuration, distribution channels, and the product’s target shelf life. Formulators need to have a complete process vision when developing a new soft-capsule product.

With a market share of more than 90 percent, gelatin is the preferred excipient for softgel capsules[4]​.Gelatin combines several advantages to be the excipient of choice for producing high-quality softgel capsules. This preference comes down to three of its features: its quality, versatility, and processability.
High-quality edible gelatin is available globally from multiple suppliers, so small and large users have good access to quality raw material. Gelatin is described in major pharmacopoeia monographs, is internationally regulated, and is processed under highly controlled conditions. It is produced only from edible parts of animal stock. The animal selection or source is controlled. The animal parts are handled under highly sanitary conditions and are by-products of food production, helping to reduce food waste. Gelatin is highly refined and far removed from the original animal source. For softgel, a subset of edible gelatin is needed. Gelatin suppliers are able to provide gelatin that is specific for soft gelatin capsule needs based on a well-defined raw-material specification.
Gelatin offers greater versatility when it comes to formulating a softgel capsule. Finished goods with a strong point of difference can be imagined and executed. The formulator can select a variety of gelatin types to further customize the capsule’s shell performance. Further tailoring of the capsule’s shell performance can be accomplished with additives. Gelatin’s amphoteric nature allows the gelatin to tolerate the addition of essential oils, flavors, oil-based colorants, water-soluble dyes, pigments, pearlescent, and fibers. It is even possible to add other hydrocolloids and polysaccharides to gelatin as functional fillers to provide unique release properties. Alternate capsule excipients have limitations in both the types and levels of additives that can be added. With gelatin, the expanded “tool chest” gives the formulator freedom to create a robust product with a true point of difference and unique functionality.