Due to the use of different materials in hollow vegetarian and gel capsules (gelatin capsules), the identification test method for each is different. This article shows the advantages of vegetable capsules and gel capsules (gelatin capsules) in their application.
Raw materials in vegetable capsules and gel capsules (gelatin capsules)
1. The main component of the medicinal vegetable capsules is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), that is, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Cellulose is the richest natural polymer in nature’s resources. HPMC is generally derived from cotton fiber or wood pulp obtained by etherification.
2. The main component of high quality pharmaceutical gel capsules is gelatin derived from animal skin, tendons, collagen bones, an animal connective tissue protein or partially hydrolyzed epidermal tissue collagen.
The Test Methods for Vegetable Capsules and Gel Capsules
The characteristics of vegetarian capsules and gelatin capsules are the same.
The material used in the vegetarian capsules is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.
The identification of vegetarian capsules and gel capsules is different.
The veggie capsule inspection checks and the gel capsule checks are performed to the same standard: the weightlessness standard for dry veggie capsules is 2% to 7% and 12.5% to 17% loss in gel capsule drying standard. This is due to hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. When drying vegetable capsules, this standard is 2% to 7%.
Pharmacopoeial methods for sample identification and preparation
Identify and prepare a sample vegetarian capsule:
(1) To extract 1g of this product, add 20 to 25 ml of cold water, stirring constantly until the liquid becomes viscous. Add 2 ml to a test tube, slowly pouring the liquid down the inner surface of the test tube.
(2) to extract the appropriate amount of viscous liquid (1) pour into a glass dish, leave until the water evaporates and forms a hard film layer.
Identify and prepare a gelatin capsule sample:
(1) To extract 0.25 g of this product, add 50 ml of water. Heat until dissolved and cool. Add 5 ml more potassium dichromate test solution; Mix with a few drops of hydrochloric acid solution (4%) to form a yellow-orange flocculating precipitate.
(2) to identify 1 ml of the rest of the solution (1) add 50 ml of water, add a few drops of tannic acid test solution and shake until cloudy.
(3) put 0.3 g of the product into a test tube. Add a little bit of soda lime. Heat the gas until a damp red litmus paper turns blue.
Distinctive dissolution of the two capsules (vegetarian capsules and gelatin capsules)
Soluble in cold water: when the capsules are placed in 25 ml of cold water, the gelatin capsules do not dissolve. Vegetarian capsules dissolve gradually.
Distinguish the two burning capsules
During combustion, the vegetarian capsule produces a cotton odor. The gelatin capsule produces a protein smell similar to the smell of burning hair.
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