Hard capsules offer numerous attractive benefits that make them the top choice to fulfill medical needs. These capsules make up to 75% of the market. Typically, the medication in these capsules is shielded from air, light, and moisture to prolong its shelf life.
Additionally, patients are more likely to swallow it readily due to its sleek and smooth appearance. Plus, these capsules can be altered into any shape or color according to the need.
So, hard capsules are a smart choice for both companies and people who use them.
In this article, we will cover every aspect of hard empty capsules as a means of dosage.
What Are Hard Empty Capsules Advantages?
For good reason, gelatin hard capsules have been counted as the best nutritional supplement in medicine for many years. They offer a wide range of advantages that make them an appealing option to choose from. Such as;
Ease of Swallowing: For people who have trouble swallowing pills or other supplements Gelatin capsules are a great option. They glide down the throat easily and have a silky, smooth feel.
Quick Dissolution: These capsules have instant ability to get dissolved in the stomach, releasing the ingredients within.
Versatility: Another big advantage of these capsules is it’s available in a variety of substances like granules, liquids, powders, small tablets, etc. This versatility makes them suitable for multiple uses.
Tasteless and Odorless: The nature of gelatin capsules guarantees that encapsulated material is not affected by any unwanted substance.
Tamper-evident: Modern Capsules are way easy to seal and tamper-evident, providing an extra layer of safety and protection for pharmaceutical products.
What Type of Gelatin Is Used In Hard Capsules?
Hard capsules typically contain a form of gelatin that comes from animal sources. It is sourced from the hide and bones of animals depending on needs. These sources are selected because of their collagen-rich properties, which are the main component for creating the capsule’s structure.
It is important to note that there are plant-based vegetarian alternative capsules are also available, such as HPMC capsules, which are suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions or due to other preferences.
What Is the Importance of Selecting the Right Capsule Type?
Selecting the right type of capsule is a crucial part for manufacturers and pharmaceutical. The choice of capsule can impact the efficacy of the product. So, here are several factors to be considered when choosing a gelatin capsule:
Size: There are five different sizes of gelatin capsules, with 000 being the largest. The sizes range from 000 to 5. The size you choose will depend on the dosage of your supplement and the ease of swallowing.
Quality: It’s important to choose high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade gelatin capsules to ensure that they are free from contaminants and impurities.
Variety of colors: These capsules are introduced in market in many colors. Light-colored capsules, for instance, may allow more light to pass through, which may reduce the stability of light-sensitive supplements.
Capsule closure: Gelatin capsules can be sealed using a twist mechanism or a snap mechanism. The snap mechanism is easier to use but may not provide as tight of a seal as the twist mechanism.
What Is The Manufacturing Process Of Hard Empty Capsules?
The production method of empty hard capsules is a well-planned and controlled process that involves multiple steps:
Preparation of Gelatin: This step involves the extraction of collagen from various animal parts, including bones, skin, and tendons through a boiling process. Then it goes through a safe purified and quality control procedure.
Mixing and Blending: Next, to make a homogenous gelatin solution, the gelatin is combined with water and other additives. Through this step, it’s easy to achieve specific capsule properties, such as thickness and dissolution time.
Molding: The gelatin solution is injected into molds that are designed in two parts one is its cap and the other its body. However, Stainless steel is usually used to create these molds.
Drying: Now these molds are placed carefully in drying ovens, which evaporates moisture of the capsule and makes it solidify. This step is critical to prevent capsules from sticking together.
Cutting and Assembly: After the capsule shells have dried, they are taken out of the molds, cut to the proper length, and then assembled. The exact nature of this connecting procedure guarantees a strong seal.
Quality Control: Strict testing is performed on every batch of capsules to ensure that they are uniform, strong, and meeting all requirements. By taking this measure, it becomes ensure that only high-quality capsules reach the market.
Packaging: The finished capsules are then packed for distribution by being placed into bottles, blister packs, or other appropriate containers.
Now it has been observed that careful attention is being placed while making empty capsules. This way high quality is being achieved.
The above picture clarify the manufacturing process of empty capsules.
Gelatin Capsules VS HPMC Capsules
Gelatin and HPMC are two cross-choices of capsules. They used to hold medicines and dietary supplements differently. Gelatin capsules are made from animal-derived gelatin, as it’s been discussed earlier. Gelatin capsules are highly recommended because it’s easy to swallow and quickly dissolve in nature by the body.
On the other hand, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules offer a vegetarian-friendly substitute. It is a plant-based substance that is made from cellulose from cotton or pine trees.
Those with dietary limitations or those who prefer not to eat animal products prefer these pills. HPMC capsules could take slightly more time to absorb in body. They are a good option for some applications compared to gelatin. The reason is its resistant nature to environmental conditions like heat and humidity.
Post time: Nov-11-2023
