Alexei Volkov
Gel capsules, also known as liquid gels, are pharmaceutical-grade capsules that appear to be made of plastic. However, they are primarily made from gelatin, a common food and medicine ingredient derived from boiling animal skin, bones, and body parts. They are also made from cellulose, a structural component in plants. Gelatin capsules are inexpensive, easily digestible, and can be used to deliver medication in liquid or powder form. They are widely available and cheap to produce, but they carry side effects such as indigestion and bloating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What are gel capsules made of? | Gelatin, a common ingredient in medicines and food products, is made by boiling the skin and bones of cows and pigs. Other ingredients include animal protein, plant polysaccharides or their derivatives (carrageenans, modified forms of starch and cellulose), and gelling agents. |
| Are gel capsules made of plastic? | Gelatin capsules are sometimes referred to as "edible plastic", but they are not made of plastic. |
| What are the alternatives to gelatin capsules? | Vegetarian capsules are made from cellulose derived from pine and contain purified water and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC). |
| What are the advantages of gelatin capsules? | Gelatin capsules are cheaper to produce and are more broadly used than vegetarian capsules. They are also easily digestible and can be used to deliver liquid medication. |
| What are the disadvantages of gelatin capsules? | Gelatin capsules may cause indigestion, upset stomach, hypersensitivity, exposure to toxins leading to gastric problems, and excessive consumption may cause kidney problems. They are also more expensive to manufacture than tablets. |
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What You'll Learn
Gel capsules are made of gelatin, a type of plastic
Gel capsules are typically made of gelatin, which is derived from collagen obtained from animal body parts, such as skin and bones. This makes gelatin a form of plastic, albeit an animal-based one. While plastic is usually associated with petroleum products, it can also be made from other sources, including animal and vegetable derivatives.
Gelatin is a translucent, colourless, and flavourless substance that is commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In the context of capsules, gelatin serves as the outer shell that encloses medication in the form of powders, pellets, or liquids. This shell breaks down in the digestive tract, releasing the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream.
The process of manufacturing gelatin capsules involves dipping metal pins in a gelling agent solution, which is often composed of animal-derived gelatin. The capsules are then supplied as closed units to pharmaceutical manufacturers, who separate the two halves and fill them with the desired medication. This method is known as the "Accogel" process, developed by Lederle Laboratories in 1949.
Hard gelatin capsules are produced through a process that includes dipping, rotation, drying, stripping, trimming, and joining. On the other hand, soft gel capsules are filled and sealed simultaneously on a rotary die of a fully automatic machine. The choice between hard and soft gel capsules depends on the nature of the medication being encapsulated.
While gelatin capsules are widely used due to their low cost of production, there has been a growing demand for vegetarian alternatives. Vegetarian capsules are made from cellulose derived from plants, such as pine, and do not contain any animal products. These capsules are gaining popularity due to their compatibility with various religious beliefs and their lack of negative health impacts. However, they tend to be more expensive to produce.
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Gelatin is derived from animal body parts
Gelatin is a flavourless, translucent, and colourless food ingredient. It is commonly derived from collagen, which is taken from animal body parts. The collagen is extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chicken, pigs, and fish. The bones and body parts of these animals are boiled to produce the desired gel.
The process of deriving gelatin from collagen involves breaking some of the bonds between and within the component proteins through hydrolysis. This process can be done using acid, alkali, or enzymes. For example, acid treatment is suitable for collagen from pig skin, while alkali treatment is better for collagen from cattle bones.
The animal parts used to produce gelatin are often obtained from slaughterhouses that discard bones, skins, and other items. Alternatively, they may come from animals specifically slaughtered to have their bodies boiled for gelatin production. Some people may find this process unethical, and there are vegan alternatives to gelatin available.
Gelatin has a wide range of applications and is used in various industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics. In the pharmaceutical industry, gelatin is used to make both soft and hard capsules for drugs. It lends durability and flexibility to the capsule casing. Gelatin capsules are also known as gel caps or gelcaps.
The properties of gelatin make it suitable for specific applications. For example, its upper melting point is below human body temperature, which is important for the mouthfeel of foods containing gelatin. Additionally, gelatin has thixotropic properties, meaning its viscosity increases under stress. This property can be utilised in food products to create a desired texture.
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Vegetarian capsules are made from plant cellulose
Capsules may appear to be made of plastic, but they are not. The majority of capsules are manufactured from gelatin, an animal-derived material. However, vegetarian capsules are made from plant cellulose, a structural component in plants.
Vegetarian capsules are made from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), derived from plant cellulose. HPMC is a plant-based material derived from cellulose, a natural fiber in plants like trees. HPMC is suitable for people with dietary restrictions as it is entirely plant-based and contains no animal-derived ingredients. It is also chemically stable and resistant to moisture, making it effective in protecting sensitive ingredients.
Vegetarian capsules are free from animal products, aligning with vegetarian, vegan, and certain religious dietary practices. They are also hypoallergenic, lacking common allergens found in gelatin capsules, such as pork or beef derivatives. The properties of HPMC can be adjusted to control the dissolution rate of the capsule, accommodating various dietary and therapeutic needs.
Vegetarian capsules are also versatile, capable of encapsulating various substances like health supplements and essential oils, and are available in both hard-shelled and soft-shelled forms. They are also tasteless, odourless, and chemical-free, making them more appealing to consumers.
The first vegetarian capsules were made with vegetable cellulose derived from trees or plants. Manufacturers have since experimented with modifying plant cellulose, using substances like fungus, seaweed, and tapioca starch.
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Capsules are filled with powder, pellets, or liquid
Capsules are usually made of gelatin derived from animal collagen, although they can also be made from plant cellulose. They are commonly used to contain medication in the form of powder, pellets, or liquid.
Hard-shelled capsules are used to contain dry, powdered ingredients or miniature pellets. They are made in two halves: a smaller-diameter "body" that is filled and then sealed using a larger-diameter "cap". They are manufactured by dipping metal pins in the gelling agent solution, and then supplied as closed units to the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Before use, the two halves are separated, and the capsule is filled with powder or pellets.
Soft-shelled capsules are primarily used for oils and for active ingredients that are dissolved or suspended in oil. They are also used for liquid ingredients that are difficult to include in any other solid dosage form, such as a tablet. Softgels are highly suited to potent drugs, where the highly reproducible filling process helps ensure each soft gel has the same drug content. They are filled at the same time as they are produced and sealed on the rotary die of a fully automatic machine.
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Gel capsules are more expensive to manufacture than tablets
Gelatin capsules, also known as gel caps or gelcaps, are composed of gelatin derived from animal skin, bone, or body parts. They are commonly used to deliver medication or supplements. The process of manufacturing hard gelatin capsules involves dipping, rotation, drying, stripping, trimming, and joining. Soft gel capsules, on the other hand, are filled and sealed on a rotary die of a fully automatic machine.
Additionally, gel capsules may contain additives and extra ingredients that contribute to their higher manufacturing costs. These additives, such as plasticizers, coloring agents, preservatives, disintegrants, lubricants, and surface treatments, ensure the stability and functionality of the capsules but add to the overall production expenses.
Furthermore, tablets have a higher concentration of active ingredients, allowing for higher dosages in a single tablet. This means that fewer tablets are needed to achieve the same results as gel capsules, reducing the overall manufacturing costs per dose. Tablets are also simpler to produce, with a faster production process and inexpensive formulas, making them more cost-effective than gel capsules.
While gel capsules may offer certain advantages such as easier swallowing and faster absorption, their higher manufacturing costs compared to tablets can impact their affordability for consumers. The choice between gel capsules and tablets ultimately depends on various factors, including medical needs, convenience, and cost considerations.
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Frequently asked questions
No, gel capsules are not made of plastic. They are typically made from gelatin, a common food ingredient derived from animal body parts, such as the collagen from animal skin and bones.
Vegetarian capsules are made from cellulose derived from pine and contain purified water and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). They are GMO-free, natural, and do not carry any negative health impacts.
Gel capsules have higher bioavailability, meaning more of the drug enters the bloodstream. They are also easier to swallow and can be more effective for drugs with poor solubility.
