Empty gelatine capsules are hollow hard capsules made of gelatin and auxiliary materials. The capsules are slender in shape and easy to be swallowed. They are the most popular dosage form for consumers. In addition, the capsules can effectively mask the uncomfortable taste and smell of the contents.
Capsules can contain various powders, liquids, semi-solids and tablets. In addition, the gelatin capsules have good bioavailability because the capsules can dissolve quickly, reliably and safely.
Structure and Appearance of Gelatin Capsules
Gelatin capsules usually consist of two parts, the cap and the body, and are cylindrical in shape. They are hard and elastic. The capsule body should be smooth, uniform in color, with a flat cut, and no deformation or odor.
Depending on whether sunscreen is added, gelatin capsules can be divided into three types: transparent (without sunscreen), translucent (one section contains sunscreen) and opaque (both sections contain sunscreen).
Ingredients and Manufacturing Process of Gelatin Capsules
Gelatin is a water-soluble protein derived from collagen, primarily sourced from animal skin and bones. Through refined extraction processes, gelatin can be isolated and utilized extensively in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As such, gelatin is renowned for its exceptional film-forming properties and biocompatibility, making it an indispensable ingredient in many products.
In the food industry, gelatin plays a critical role in products like puddings and candies, where it effectively solidifies, thickens, and stabilizes texture and structure. In the pharmaceutical sector, gelatin’s application is particularly vital. Pharmaceutical-grade gelatin capsules, made from gelatin that strictly complies with drug standards, ensure safety and quality. Their production typically involves forming gelatin films on stainless steel molds, followed by drying and hardening to create the final capsules. Two different mold sizes are used: smaller molds for the capsule body and larger molds for the capsule cap.
Through this meticulous process, gelatin capsules not only encapsulate medications effectively but also enhance drug stability and bioavailability, thereby optimizing therapeutic efficacy and enabling better treatment outcomes.
Types of Gelatin Capsule Machines
Pharmaceutical Gelatin Melting Tank
This equipment is primarily used to uniformly mix and melt gelatin, water, glycerin, and additives to form a stable gelatin solution. Key features include:
- Constructed from single-layer sanitary-grade stainless steel for compliance with pharmaceutical hygiene standards.
- Ergonomic design for ease of operation, with rounded transitions on the inner tank walls to ensure hygienic integrity with no dead zones.
- Widely applied in the pharmaceutical industry to prepare gelatin solutions for soft capsule production.
Automatic Soft Gelatin Encapsulation Machine
Soft gel encapsulation machine can quantificational inject the oil, mixing suspension and pasty mass into the capsule to form all kinds of soft gel encapsulation with different size, shape and color.
Automatic Capsule Filling Machine
Automatic capsule filling machine adopts multi-bore dosing, intermittent motion and timing frequency-conversion. Capsule maker machine is suitable for automatically completing capsule feeding, separating, filling,(waste capsule rejecting), closing, finished product ejecting for powder or tiny pill medicine in capsule. It is suitable for manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, veterinary, foodstuffs and chemical industries who require a low maintenance and large scale production capacity, fully accords with the GMP standard.
Semi Automatic Capsule Filling Machine
Semi-automatic capsule filling machine is special capsule filling machine which is suitable for medium and small pharmaceutical factory, hospital preparation lab, etc.
Pharmaceutical Capsule Liquid Filling Machine
Capsule liquid sealing machine can be applied to the filling (liquid, granule, powder, etc.) hard capsules on the plastic sealing, so that the product packaging, storage, transportation process, always in a sealed state.
Trial requirements: what we need from you before a quote
A quote without samples is a guess. Before SED sizes your machine, we run a production trial on your actual material. Please provide:
- For powder fills: bulk density, particle-size distribution, flowability (angle of repose if known), moisture content, and any tendency to bridge or stick. These determine doser size and tamp depth.
- For liquid fills: viscosity, fill-volume per unit, oil or suspension type, and sensitivity to oxygen or heat. These determine pump type and seal temperature.
- Target shell size: from size 000 down to 5, capacity changes sharply. Use our capsule size chart to pick the size, and check how many grams fit in a capsule against your dose.
- Target fill weight and tolerance: This sets the dosing method and the inspection threshold.
- Sample quantity: enough for a short run, typically a few hundred grams of powder or a small volume of liquid, plus empty shells in your chosen size.
The trial output is a recorded fill-weight distribution and a machine recommendation, not a sales pitch. It is the step that turns “what is a gelatin capsule?” curiosity into a numbered spec sheet.
Conclusion
Gelatin capsules are a versatile, efficient and consumer-friendly pharmaceutical dosage form. From improving bioavailability to providing easy-to-swallow solutions, gelatin capsules are indispensable in the pharmaceutical industry. Their production relies on professional equipment to ensure high-quality products that meet the most stringent regulatory standards.
If you are looking for high-quality gelatin capsules or efficient gelatin capsule production equipment, please contact us for professional solutions and quotes.
FAQ
Gelatin vs. HPMC (vegetarian) capsules—which should I choose?
Gelatin capsules are cost-effective, have low oxygen permeability, and offer reliable dissolution. However, they are animal-derived, which may conflict with vegetarian, vegan, or certain religious (Halal/Kosher) requirements. HPMC (plant-based) capsules address these label claims but are more expensive and more sensitive to moisture—requiring stricter humidity control on your filling line. The choice depends on your target market and product positioning, not on which is “better.”
Are gelatin capsules safe regarding BSE (mad cow disease) or other contaminants?
Yes. Pharmaceutical-grade gelatin is sourced from certified BSE-free herds and undergoes strict purification processes. Manufacturers comply with pharmacopoeia standards (USP, EP, JP) that mandate rigorous testing for heavy metals, microbial limits, and residual solvents. The supply chain is traceable from hide/bone to finished shell.
How fast does a gelatin capsule dissolve in the stomach?
Typically, a standard gelatin capsule dissolves within 10–20 minutes in simulated gastric fluid. However, dissolution time can be modified by adding cross-linking agents or enteric coatings for delayed-release applications. For standard immediate-release formulations, the shell is designed to break down quickly to ensure bioavailability – but actual performance should be validated with your specific fill material.
