Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Innovations in capsules
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Subtitle: seamless technology
Original source:
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Chetana D. Modi, Dipak Modi, Ankit Patel, P.D.Bharadiya
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:
(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)
Full text available for: Innovations in capsules
Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
The research article "Innovations in Capsules: Seamless Technology" by Chetana D. Modi et al. explores the advancements in seamless capsule technology, which addresses significant drawbacks of traditional hard and soft gelatin capsules. These conventional capsules require extensive drying and often leave a distasteful residue in the mouth. Seamless capsules present several advantages, including improved bioavailability, flexible dosage adjustments, and resistance to heat, acids, and freezing conditions.
Advantages of Seamless Mini Capsules
Seamless mini capsules have several benefits over traditional hard and soft capsules. They offer clearer and glossier spherical appearances and allow for the direct encapsulation of liquids, making them more versatile in drug dosage forms. The dosage can be flexibly adjusted due to their reduced size, ensuring better content uniformity. Additionally, the small size and low shell ratio to content volume improve bioavailability. Seamless capsules can also serve as effective vapor barriers, preventing oxidation of the encapsulated substance, and can be free-colored to increase value-added properties.
Capsule Shell Characteristics
The shell of seamless capsules is typically made of gelatin, agar, and other natural film-forming materials. These shells exhibit solubility, acid resistance, heat resistance, freezing resistance, and light resistance. Different formulations can enhance these properties to meet specific requirements. For example, the moisture content of the shell is precisely controlled to prevent cracking or sticking. Enteric coating of the shell material can ensure that the capsules dissolve in the intestinal tract rather than the stomach.
Manufacturing Technology
Seamless capsules are produced using methods like the multi-component nozzle method and the Jet Streams Method/Drop or Blow Process. In the multi-component nozzle method, core and shell solutions are simultaneously ejected from the nozzle into cooling liquid, forming seamless capsules through surface tension. Advances in this technology have improved the quality and productivity of capsule manufacturing. The Jet Streams Method involves creating composite jet streams of shell and core materials, which coalesce in a liquid medium, solidifying into seamless capsules.
Conclusion
Seamless capsule technology provides significant advancements over traditional capsule forms by offering improved drug delivery, better content uniformity, and resistance to various conditions. Their ability to encapsulate a wide variety of materials and the improved manufacturing processes make them highly suitable for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and various industrial applications. The described innovations offer new potentials in the encapsulation industry, enhancing the efficiency, quality, and functionality of capsule-based products.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What are the advantages of seamless mini capsules?
Seamless mini capsules are clear, glossy, offer flexible dosage adjustments, provide a vapor barrier, and enhance bioavailability. These capsules can be colored and controlled in size, offering versatility in drug dosage forms.
What substances can be encapsulated in seamless capsules?
Seamless capsules can encapsulate hydrophilic and lipophilic substances, powders, suspensions, and amphoteric substances. Examples include herb extracts, vitamin E, and flavor essences.
How are seamless capsules manufactured?
Seamless capsules are manufactured using the multi-component nozzle method or the Jet Streams Method. These processes involve encapsulating core materials in a shell material, typically using gelatin or agar, and solidifying in a cooling medium.
What are the main applications of seamless capsules?
Seamless capsules are used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, food products, confectionery, mouth refreshers, perfumes, cosmetics, and toiletries. They offer controlled release, protection from oxidation, and enhance encapsulated substance stability.
What are the core components in seamless capsules?
Seamless capsule cores can include a variety of substances, such as vegetable oils, fish oils, chocolate, functional oils, vitamins, flavors, and powdered supplements, ensuring versatile applications.
How do seamless capsules improve the stability of encapsulated substances?
Seamless capsules provide excellent barriers against oxidation, light, and moisture, significantly enhancing the shelf life and stability of volatile, light-sensitive, and easily oxidizable substances like DHA and ß-carotene.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Innovations in capsules”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Substance:
In the context of the article, a substance refers to any material that can be encapsulated within seamless capsules. This includes hydrophilic and lipophilic substances, powders, oils, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The term emphasizes the versatility of seamless capsules in encapsulating a wide variety of materials for different applications such as food, pharmaceuticals, and health supplements.
2) Gelatin:
Gelatin is a key film-forming material used to create the shell of seamless capsules. It requires precise preparation, often mixed with plasticizers and other additives to optimize properties like solubility, heat resistance, and elasticity. Gelatin is crucial for forming shells in both medicinal and food-grade capsules, ensuring stability and controlled release.
3) Drug:
Drug: Drugs can be encapsulated in seamless capsules to improve bioavailability, protect against oxidation, and enable controlled release. This is particularly useful for pharmaceuticals requiring precise dosages, stability from environmental factors, and enhanced patient compliance by converting drugs into a more palatable form, such as liquid-filled or powder suspension capsules.
4) Water:
Water is used in the preparation of the gelatin mass for seamless capsules. However, the final moisture content in capsules is carefully controlled to avoid issues like capsule cracking or sticking. The balance of water content directly affects the quality and structural integrity of the capsules, making it a crucial component in the manufacturing process.
5) Quality:
Quality is a crucial aspect in the manufacturing of seamless capsules. It includes stringent tests and inspections such as mass uniformity, microbiological tests, solubility, and elution tests. High-quality capsules ensure efficacy, safety, and consistency, especially for pharmaceutical applications where dosage accuracy and stability are mandatory.
6) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the various pharmaceutical substances that are encapsulated within seamless capsules. This can involve drugs delicate to oxidation, sensitive to stomach acids, or requiring controlled release. Encapsulation enhances therapeutic effectiveness, stability, and patient compliance by offering a versatile delivery system for active ingredients.
7) Fish oil:
Fish oil is an example of a lipophilic substance that benefits from encapsulation in seamless capsules. Encapsulation prevents oxidation and the fishy taste associated with fish oil supplements, thereby improving shelf stability and palatability. This makes it more acceptable for consumer use, especially in health supplements.
8) Krishna (Kṛṣṇā, Kṛṣṇa):
Krishna refers to the Shree Krishna Institute of Pharmacy, a contributing institution to the research on seamless capsule technology. The involvement of this academic institution underscores the collaborative nature of pharmaceutical advancements, blending academic research with practical applications in the drug and food industries.
9) Aroma (A-roma):
Aroma encapsulation in seamless capsules allows the stabilization and controlled release of volatile substances. By protecting flavors and scents, these capsules are widely used in confectionery, food, and personal care products. Encapsulation ensures that the aroma is released at the right moment, enhancing the consumer experience.
10) Sugar:
Sugar can be used as a coating material for seamless capsules, particularly in the food and confectionery sectors. Sugars like sorbitol, xylitol, and mannitol are utilized to improve taste and provide a sweet outer layer. This makes the capsules more palatable and adds value to products like breath fresheners and health supplements.
11) Shri (Śri, Śrī, Śṝ, Sṛ, Sṝ):
Shree is part of the name of Shree Krishna Institute of Pharmacy, one of the research institutions involved in the study described in the article. This highlights the institution's role in pioneering and advancing seamless capsule technology, contributing to innovations in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical encapsulation.
12) Soup:
Soup can be an application for encapsulated flavors and spices. Seamless capsules can encapsulate powdered soup bases or flavors that dissolve quickly in hot water. This application enhances the convenience and taste experience of instant soups, ensuring that flavors are released precisely when needed.
13) Fish:
Fish oil is a common example of a substance encapsulated using seamless capsule technology to prevent oxidation and mask the fishy taste. The term emphasizes the application of seamless capsules in packaging sensitive and often unpleasant-tasting substances for consumer-friendly health supplements.
14) Knowledge:
Knowledge in this context refers to the extensive research, development, and application insights necessary to advance seamless capsule technology. This encompasses understanding material properties, manufacturing processes, and quality control measures to ensure the capsules meet high industry standards across various applications.
15) Activity:
Activity, such as enzymatic or reactive properties, can be preserved and controlled within seamless capsules. Encapsulation allows for the stabilization of active ingredients like enzymes and probiotics, extending their shelf life and ensuring their efficacy until the point of consumption.
16) Castor:
Castor oil, particularly hydrogenated castor oil, is used as a surfactant or suspension agent in the formulation of fill materials for seamless capsules. Its role is crucial in improving the stability, solubility, and controlled release of the encapsulated substances, thereby enhancing the overall performance of the capsule.