How to distinguish gelatin capsules from plant capsules?

According to the different raw materials, hard capsules can be divided into gelatin capsules and plant capsules. Gelatin capsules are the most popular two-stage capsules in the world. The main component is high-quality medicinal gelatin. The plant capsule is made of plant cellulose or water-soluble polysaccharide.

It retains the advantages of all the standard hollow capsules. There are some differences between them in raw materials, storage conditions, production process and characteristics.

Capsules are usually divided into hard capsules and soft capsules. Hard capsule, also known as hollow capsule, is composed of two parts of cap body; soft capsule is made of film-forming materials and contents at the same time.

According to the different raw materials, hard capsules can be divided into gelatin capsules and plant capsules. Gelatin capsule is a popular two-stage capsule in the world, which is composed of two precision processed capsule shells.

Capsules come in a variety of sizes and can be colored to give a unique custom appearance. Plant capsule is a hollow capsule made of plant cellulose or water-soluble polysaccharide.

It retains the advantages of all the standard hollow capsules: convenient to take, effective cover up the taste and smell, transparent and visible contents, etc.

1. The raw materials of gelatin capsule and plant capsule are different
gelatin The main component of the capsule is high-quality medical gelatin, which is derived from collagen in animal skin, tendon and bone, which is partially hydrolyzed from collagen in animal connective tissue or epidermal tissue; The main component of plant capsule is medicinal hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), namely 2-hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. 

Cellulose is the most abundant natural polymer in nature. HPMC is usually made from short cotton wool or wood pulp by etherification.

2. The storage conditions of gelatin capsule and plant capsule are different
In terms of storage conditions, after a large number of tests, it is almost not brittle under low humidity conditions, the capsule shell properties are still stable under high temperature and humidity, and the indicators of plant capsule are not affected under extreme storage conditions. 

Gelatin capsules are easy to adhere under high humidity conditions, and dehydrate and harden or brittle under low humidity conditions. 

Gelatin capsules are highly dependent on the temperature, humidity and packaging materials of the storage environment.

3. The production process of gelatin capsule is different from that of plant capsule
Plant hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) still has the natural concept after being made into capsule shell. The main component of hollow capsules is protein, so it is easy to breed breeding bacteria and microorganisms. 

Preservatives should be added in the production process, and ethylene oxide should be used for sterilization before packaging to ensure the microbial control index of the capsule. 

The production process of plant capsule does not need to add any preservatives and sterilization treatment, which fundamentally solves the problem of preservative residues.

4. Gelatin capsules and plant capsules have different characteristics
Compared with the traditional gelatin hollow capsules, plant capsules have the advantages of wide adaptability, no cross-linking reaction risk and high stability. 

The drug release rate is relatively stable, and the individual difference is small. After disintegration in the human body, it can not be absorbed, and the excreta can be discharged from the body.

In the future, the demand for plant capsules will show a trend of rapid growth. Although it is impossible for plant capsule to replace the traditional gelatin hollow capsule, it has obvious competitive advantages in traditional Chinese medicine preparation, biological preparation and functional food. 

It has the advantages of wide applicability, no cross-linking reaction risk, high stability and non hygroscopicity. With people's understanding of plant capsule and the change of public medication concept at home and abroad, the market demand of plant capsule will increase rapidly.

Wecaps always adheres to the principle of quality first. We have more than 100 capsule production process patents, and we are constantly making breakthroughs and pursuing first-class quality and service. At the same time, our products have secured FDA, DMF, EU IMSOC, HALAL, and KOSHER certifications, signifying our global market expansion and commitment to quality and inclusivity. We look forward to further cooperation with you on capsule customization!

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