What are HPMC Vegetable Capsules?

Veggie capsules are made from plant-derived materials like cellulose or HPMC. They are a quality empty-capsule product, suitable for vegetarians and other consumers with/without dietary restrictions.

HaoShuo contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

Vegetable capsules

Like many other inventions, the HPMC vegetable capsules, also called vegetarian capsules, are born of necessity &#; the necessity to accommodate the preference of some consumers for non-animal-based products.

There is growing interest in vegetarianism worldwide, and the plant-based food industry is set for further expansion. Alongside, the capsule market records a rising demand for veggie capsules, much as some pharmaceutical manufacturers are adjusting their products to meet the new consumers' demand.

Perhaps you have some questions about this: you want to know what these vegetarian capsules are, how they benefit you, and if they are safe for your health. In this article, we tell you precisely that. Read on to find the answers to the top FAQs we received about this popular empty capsule product.

Why HPMC vegetable capsules?

There are many reasons why HPMC caps are taking over.

As you undoubtedly know, capsules offer one of the most convenient ways to take your medications and dietary supplements, especially with the ease of filling your desired formula at home. But most capsule products on the market are made from gelatin, an ingredient derived from animals like cattle and pigs.

That becomes important in light of those consumers who have dietary restrictions for meat or meat products. Vegetarians often have personal, religious, health-related, or environmental reasons for their choice.

A recent study found that about 5% of Americans, 5% of Germans, and 8% of Canadians follow a vegetarian diet, with more women and younger people likely to have this preference.

Similarly, just as Muslims and Jews maintain strong reservations about pork-based products, some Hindus also avoid foods made from cows.

As a way-out, technology has offered the opportunity to meet these divergent consumer's needs with capsules made from plant-based materials.

Even for those with no restrictions in diet, the HPMC vegetarian capsules provide health-conscious consumers with natural alternatives to animal-derived capsules.

Finally, since the pandemic disrupted the global gelatin supply, many nutraceutical manufacturers have rethought their dependency on gelatin. And many have made a huge dive for these vegetable sources. With them, producers can have all Gelatin capsules' advantages and even more.

What are vegetarian capsules made from?

The best-quality vegetarian capsules are made from HPMC (hydroxypropylmethylcellulose), also called hypromellose. HPMC is a standardized industrial-grade cellulose derived from pine and spruce trees.

Unlike other vegetable materials used in the market, HPMC is also a pure, highly stable, gluten-free, non-GMO, and non-allergenic hydrocolloid. It is also used as a binder or coating agent in tablet formulation.

Capsules often contain additives such as gelling agents, colorants, opacifiers, or preservatives to enhance their functions. However, depending on the intended market, vegetarian capsules may vary in the additives they contain. Some contain fully organic or inorganic constituents, while some may be fortified with beneficial nutrients like chlorophyll.

What are the differences between gelatin capsules and vegetarian capsules?

The primary difference between gel caps and veggie capsules is their origin; while the former is animal-sourced, the latter is plant-based.

For all purposes and intent, both types of capsules are used extensively and interchangeably for drug delivery because of their similar properties as finished products.

Yet, their disparate origins often result in some subtle differences between them, like:

• Stability:

  Contact us to discuss your requirements of What Is HPMC Made From. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

   HPMC capsules are hygroscopic and have low moisture content (Capsuline K-Caps moisture level is optimally kept between 4-8%). These give them the ability to efficiently hold liquid and oily fills. They also protect moisture-sensitive content like probiotics better than gelatin shells.

• Dissolution time:

   HPMC Vegetable empty capsules tend to have a slightly faster dissolution rate in water at room temperature than gelatin capsules (usually in 15 minutes). Although factors such as manufacturer specifications, coating, stomach acidity, and fasting influence this to an extent. 

Are vegetarian capsules safe?

Vegetarian HPMC capsules are made from 100% plant-sourced ingredients i.e. hypromellose that digest easily. They are perfectly healthy and do not contain any animal-by products or animal-borne contaminants.

They also do not trigger any allergic reaction or cause side effects, even on prolonged use. Typically, veggie capsules are vegan, Halal, and Kosher certified. That satisfies consumers with religious considerations.

Manufacturers produce these capsules in cGMP-approved facilities and follow a rigorous quality assurance process in their operations. Capsuline manufacturing facilities are cGMP certified and hold IS0-100 quality control certification to guarantee the traceability of materials. Also, all raw materials used are FDA 'Generally Regarded As Safe' (GRAS)-standard.

You can also choose the desired variety of these capsules that possess your preferred type of colorant, opacifier, or coating material.

Nevertheless, veggie capsules promote your health by enhancing the way active drugs are absorbed and utilized in your body.

What do HPMC veggie capsules do?

The HPMC Vegetable capsules perform as an elegant drug enclosure system. They serve as a substitute for tablets and powders when taking medicines, vitamins, or herbs by mouth. They help mask the poor taste and smell of drugs and give you the power to make supplements according to your needs.

Specifically, vegetarian capsules function as plant-based alternatives to gelatin shells. That allows vegetarians and vegans to take their medications or nutritional supplements as capsules without worrying about dietary restrictions.

Even if you are not vegetarian, other benefits that you could get from veggie shells include the following:

Ease-of-use

These capsules are tasteless, odorless, and very easy to swallow compared to tablets. They are also available in different sizes and colors, which makes them more palatable, especially for children.

Easy digestion and fast-acting

Once taken, because of their vegetable origin, veggie capsules break down in less than 20 minutes. Your nutrients are quickly absorbed and become bioavailable in no time. That enhances their therapeutic effects.

Needs optimized

Whether you want your capsule home-made, free of inorganic chemicals, or come with natural color or fortified with beneficial nutrients such as chlorophyll, you have a range of choices with empty veggie capsules.

Interested in buying vegetable capsules for your use? We have the best stock for you here

Resources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC/

Table of contents:

• What is HPMC
• Use of HPMC
• What else is HPMC used for
• ? HPMC capsules for food supplements
• HPMC capsules vs. gelatine capsules
• Is HPMC vegan
• ? Why take capsule products
• ? How dangerous is HPMC?
• Are HPMC capsules enteric-coated?

What is HPMC?

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a cellulose derivative that is made from natural cellulose. During production, the structure is modified in such a way that the properties of the cellulose change, including its solubility. Cellulose is naturally insoluble in water. This is in contrast to HPMC. HPMC is able to bind liquids and form gels at higher temperatures. This property makes it particularly interesting for the food industry. Due to its versatile properties, it can be used in foods as an emulsifier, stabilizer, filler and gelling and thickening agent.

Note: Cellulose is actually an indigestible plant fiber and the main component of plant cell walls, which consists of chains of several hundred to ten thousand glucose molecules. However, the glucose it contains cannot be utilized by humans and is therefore indigestible.

Use of HPMC

In the EU, HPMC is known as a food additive under the number E 464 and is approved for all foods. HPMC is used, for example, in the production of desserts, ice cream, baked goods, cookies, various sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise and fish products. HPMC is also frequently used in light products to give them the creaminess that would otherwise come from the fat content. Another advantage in this context is that the calorific value of the food is not increased.

What else is HPMC used for?

In addition to its many uses in the food industry, HPMC is also used in many other areas. For example, in the building materials industry to regulate flow properties, in the production of cosmetics such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, cream and lotion and in the pharmaceutical industry as a component of medicines.

HPMC capsules for food supplements

HPMC now plays an important role in vegan food supplements. HPMC is processed into vegetable capsule shells and tablets can also be coated with this substance. HPMC has been used for vegetarian and vegan food supplements since and is used all over the world. All our capsule products are also made from HPMC.

HPMC capsules vs. gelatine capsules

For a long time, the only material used to make capsule shells was gelatine. Gelatine is obtained from the skin and bones of various animal species, especially pigs and cattle. Due to strict regulations on the use of gelatine caused by emerging diseases such as TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy), which includes BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), the search for a substitute for gelatine was encouraged.

Plant-based capsules have also been available on the market since . With HPMC, consumers have a completely safe, plant-based product at their disposal, so that vegans or vegetarians and people who abstain from gelatine due to their religion also have an alternative to gelatine capsules.

HPMC capsules can withstand high temperatures and high humidity and have a low inherent moisture content. This makes the capsule shells suitable for storing moisture-sensitive ingredients. They therefore protect their contents from all kinds of fluctuations, such as temperature fluctuations and humidity. HPMC capsules can therefore be stored well in all climate zones. In contrast, gelatine capsule shells have a lower water content. They therefore quickly become brittle at low humidity.

Despite the many advantages of HPMC capsules, gelatine capsules are still the most commonly used type of capsule in the pharmaceutical industry. One reason for this is probably the lower price.

Is HPMC vegan?

As HPMC is a derivative of natural cellulose, HPMC is vegan. This means that people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet or do not eat gelatine due to their religion can take HPMC capsules without hesitation.

Why take capsule products?

The advantage of capsule products is probably obvious: plant extracts, vitamins & minerals, amino acids or other micronutrients can be portioned according to need. The daily portion of a particular product can thus be easily achieved by specifying the number of capsules per day, without the hassle of weighing. In addition, the ingredients are packaged to protect them from light and, unlike powder or tablet products, are virtually tasteless.

How dangerous is HPMC?

HPMC is considered safe for human consumption. As HPMC is excreted undigested by the body like a water-soluble dietary fiber, it can be consumed without concern or restriction. Normally there is a so-called ADI value (acceptable daily intake) for the tolerability of food additives. This value indicates the daily dose that is considered medically safe for a lifelong daily intake. The ADI value is set by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There is no restriction on the maximum quantity for HPMC, i.e. no ADI value.

A laxative effect may only occur if very high quantities are ingested.

Are HPMC capsules enteric-coated?

HPMC capsules are not enteric-coated, which means that they dissolve in the stomach and release the ingredients.

Although enteric-coated capsules can also be made from HPMC, they are also coated with synthetic substances that can withstand stomach acid. The idea behind such capsules is that they dissolve in the small or large intestine and release the ingredients there. This is useful if, for example, the acidic environment of the stomach would destroy the active ingredients. However, the intake of such capsules should always be discussed with the treating doctor, as the application must be carefully observed.

Sources:
Al-Tabakha M. M. () HPMC Capsules: Current Status and Future Prospects. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci 13(3): 428-442. Prakash A. et al () Are your capsules vegetarian or nonvegetarian: An ethical and scientific justification. Indian J Pharmacol. 49(5): 401-404. http://de.capuge.com/info/comparison-of-gelatin-capsule-and-hpmc-capsule-.html https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/ https://www.impag.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/CH/Files/Nutrition_and_Health/Publikationen/Fachartikel/LT_10_Cellulosederivate.pdf

If you look into our products, sooner or later you are bound to come across the word hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, or HPMC for short. But what does HPMC mean?Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a cellulose derivative that is made from natural cellulose. During production, the structure is modified in such a way that the properties of the cellulose change, including its solubility. Cellulose is naturally insoluble in water. This is in contrast to HPMC. HPMC is able to bind liquids and form gels at higher temperatures. This property makes it particularly interesting for the food industry. Due to its versatile properties, it can be used in foods as an emulsifier, stabilizer, filler and gelling and thickening agent.Note: Cellulose is actually an indigestible plant fiber and the main component of plant cell walls, which consists of chains of several hundred to ten thousand glucose molecules. However, the glucose it contains cannot be utilized by humans and is therefore indigestible.In the EU, HPMC is known as a food additive under the number E 464 and is approved for all foods. HPMC is used, for example, in the production of desserts, ice cream, baked goods, cookies, various sauces, ketchup, mayonnaise and fish products. HPMC is also frequently used in light products to give them the creaminess that would otherwise come from the fat content. Another advantage in this context is that the calorific value of the food is not increased.In addition to its many uses in the food industry, HPMC is also used in many other areas. For example, in the building materials industry to regulate flow properties, in the production of cosmetics such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap, cream and lotion and in the pharmaceutical industry as a component of medicines.HPMC now plays an important role in vegan food supplements. HPMC is processed into vegetable capsule shells and tablets can also be coated with this substance. HPMC has been used for vegetarian and vegan food supplements since and is used all over the world. All our capsule products are also made from HPMC.For a long time, the only material used to make capsule shells was gelatine. Gelatine is obtained from the skin and bones of various animal species, especially pigs and cattle. Due to strict regulations on the use of gelatine caused by emerging diseases such as TSE (Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy), which includes BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy), the search for a substitute for gelatine was encouraged.Plant-based capsules have also been available on the market since . With HPMC, consumers have a completely safe, plant-based product at their disposal, so that vegans or vegetarians and people who abstain from gelatine due to their religion also have an alternative to gelatine capsules.HPMC capsules can withstand high temperatures and high humidity and have a low inherent moisture content. This makes the capsule shells suitable for storing moisture-sensitive ingredients. They therefore protect their contents from all kinds of fluctuations, such as temperature fluctuations and humidity. HPMC capsules can therefore be stored well in all climate zones. In contrast, gelatine capsule shells have a lower water content. They therefore quickly become brittle at low humidity.Despite the many advantages of HPMC capsules, gelatine capsules are still the most commonly used type of capsule in the pharmaceutical industry. One reason for this is probably the lower price.As HPMC is a derivative of natural cellulose, HPMC is vegan. This means that people who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet or do not eat gelatine due to their religion can take HPMC capsules without hesitation.The advantage of capsule products is probably obvious: plant extracts, vitamins & minerals, amino acids or other micronutrients can be portioned according to need. The daily portion of a particular product can thus be easily achieved by specifying the number of capsules per day, without the hassle of weighing. In addition, the ingredients are packaged to protect them from light and, unlike powder or tablet products, are virtually tasteless.HPMC is considered safe for human consumption. As HPMC is excreted undigested by the body like a water-soluble dietary fiber, it can be consumed without concern or restriction. Normally there is a so-called ADI value (acceptable daily intake) for the tolerability of food additives. This value indicates the daily dose that is considered medically safe for a lifelong daily intake. The ADI value is set by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). There is no restriction on the maximum quantity for HPMC, i.e. no ADI value.A laxative effect may only occur if very high quantities are ingested.HPMC capsules are not enteric-coated, which means that they dissolve in the stomach and release the ingredients.Although enteric-coated capsules can also be made from HPMC, they are also coated with synthetic substances that can withstand stomach acid. The idea behind such capsules is that they dissolve in the small or large intestine and release the ingredients there. This is useful if, for example, the acidic environment of the stomach would destroy the active ingredients. However, the intake of such capsules should always be discussed with the treating doctor, as the application must be carefully observed.Al-Tabakha M. M. () HPMC Capsules: Current Status and Future Prospects. J Pharm Pharmaceut Sci 13(3): 428-442. Prakash A. et al () Are your capsules vegetarian or nonvegetarian: An ethical and scientific justification. Indian J Pharmacol. 49(5): 401-404. http://de.capuge.com/info/comparison-of-gelatin-capsule-and-hpmc-capsule-.html https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/ https://www.impag.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/CH/Files/Nutrition_and_Health/Publikationen/Fachartikel/LT_10_Cellulosederivate.pdf

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit general cellulose ethers.