Capsugel’s Vegetarian, Acid-Resistant Capsules Now Suited for Liquid Fill, SupplySide West Report

DRcaps capsules now provide protection for acid-sensitive ingredients in liquids as well as powders. Shown is an all-vegetarian plant-based oil DRcaps (left) and a probiotic powder-filled DRcaps capsule (right). Photo from Capsugel

DRcaps by Capsugel (Morristown, NJ) expanded the toolbox for dietary supplement manufacturers when the company introduced the technology four years ago. The capsules not only give formulators an acid-resistant hard capsule that keeps ingredients, including probiotics, enzymes, and certain sports-supplement ingredients, protected through the digestive tract until they reach the point where they work best-the gut-but they also do so in a vegetarian-friendly form, without using synthetic chemicals, solvents, or other shellac coatings. Now, the company is expanding the options further by combining DRcaps with its proprietary liquid-fill technology-meaning DRcaps can now be used for liquid-fill products.

Capsugel calls this version of DRcaps a first, stating that the technology combined with the company’s liquid-fill capabilities “enables, for the first time, a fully vegetarian, acid-resistant capsule for liquid-fill products.”

DRcaps are made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and release their ingredients fully at a pH of 6.8, which works out to roughly 30 minutes post-ingestion. In addition, by delaying release, DRcaps also mask unpleasant tastes and odors, such as with fish oils, and reduces aftertaste of ingredients like garlic.

Capsugel reports that since DRcaps’ initial launch, sales of DRcaps have grown at double-digits each year. “Since their launch in 2011, DRcaps capsules have been a win-win for customers and consumers alike, which is why we are so excited to extend the platform beyond powder-filled capsules to now benefit our customers’ liquid-filled products as well,” said Peter Zambetti, Capsugel’s director of global business development, health and nutrition, in a press release. “As a vegetarian solution, our DRcaps capsules can now help even more of our customers meet the demands of today’s health-conscious consumers who are increasingly seeking clean-label options.”

Also read:

Capsugel Promotes Delayed-Release Vegetarian Capsules

Dietary Supplement Capsules Challenges and Trends

Delivery System Innovations Take Center Stage at SupplySide West

Jennifer Grebow
Editor-in-Chief
Nutritional Outlook magazine
jennifer.grebow@ubm.com