A new Pharmaceutics study demonstrates how the dual-capsule technology delivers up to four times higher enzyme activity by protecting acid-sensitive nutrients from harsh stomach acids.
New research suggests Licaps Duocap capsule‑in‑capsule technology from Lonza Capsugel may offer protection in the delivery of acid-sensitive enzymes to the gastrointestinal tract.1
The oral delivery of acid-sensitive bioactive ingredients presents a persistent challenge in the nutraceutical industry. Enzymes and other dietary supplements often undergo significant degradation when exposed to the harsh, acidic environment of the human stomach. To address this issue, a peer-reviewed study published in Pharmaceutics evaluated how effectively different capsule formulations protect acid-sensitive ingredients and control their release during gastrointestinal transit.2
Nutritional Outlook spoke to Kristin Dalton, associate director, product management, specialty polymers for Lonza CHI about organic capsule and supplement formulation, as well as the opportunity organic certified supplements presents for manufacturers. Read more in Formulating Plant-Based and Organic Supplements: A Conversation with Lonza Capsugel.
The study, conducted by Lonza Capsugel in collaboration with preclinical gastrointestinal tract model experts ProDigest (Belgium), utilized the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) in vitro platform. This model replicated the realistic chemical, physical, and microbial conditions of a healthy human upper gastrointestinal tract under both fasted and fed conditions.
Researchers tracked the performance of five distinct capsule configurations: two single capsule types—including the standard immediate-release Vcaps Plus (VCP) and the delayed-release DRcaps (DR)—and three specialized Licaps Duocap capsule-in-capsule configurations. These dual-capsule formulations included DRcaps inside DRcaps (DR-in-DR), DRcaps inside Vcaps Plus (DR-in-VCP), and Vcaps Plus inside DRcaps (VCP-in-DR). Each capsule configuration contained a baseline mixture of caffeine, serving as a tracer marker for dissolution, and pancreatin, an acid-sensitive enzyme whose survival and subsequent activity were quantified by the chemical conversion of tributyrin into butyrate upon reaching the upper small intestine.
The in vitro simulation revealed distinct operational profiles across the single and combined capsule choices, particularly under fed conditions:
According to Elnaz Karimian Azari, PhD, Senior Manager R&D at Lonza Capsugel and lead author of the study, the findings provide independent, peer-reviewed validation of the robustness and reliability of the Licaps Duocap capsule-in-capsule technologies. “While this work focused on release in the upper small intestine, it builds on a growing body of evidence demonstrating that Licaps Duocap capsules can protect and transport ingredients like live probiotics all the way to the colon, where they are needed to achieve optimal performance,” she explains. “It also highlights just how important capsule selection is to the success and effectiveness of nutraceutical products – and why delivery really does matter.”
Hard capsules are another dosage form option for other active ingredients. The company also recently launched an organic-certified hard capsule (Organicap). This capsule is made from pullulan, which help prevent the degradation of oxygen-sensitive ingredients because of its high oxygen barrier.3 “This allows for optimal stability and protection, which means formulators can be confident that the potency of their most sensitive organic powder ingredients is preserved,” explained Kristin Dalton, associate director, product management, specialty polymers for Lonza Capsugel,
This article was created with assistance from AI. The content has been reviewed and edited by Erin McEvoy, Associate Editor. For more information on the extent and nature of AI usage, please contact us.
References
