High gloss film coating and stable solution therefor

Abstract

A coating composition for use in coating foods, confections, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals is comprised of shellac in aqueous solution, a hydrolyzed starch product having a dextrose equivalent of 10 or greater and an effective amount of a plasticizer. The coating composition provides a surprisingly high gloss coating. The edible film coating composition solution may be stabilized by adding an effective amount of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt wherein the solution may remain stable for at least three months. The ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid salt may include disodium, trisodium and tetrasodium salts of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. Preferably, the concentration of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid is about 0.5% to 2% of the solution.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] There is a need to film coat tablets in the pharmaceutical and the nutraceutical industries. However, the coating of tablets to date has usually provided a low gloss and a disagreeable slimy mouth feel. Even clear unpigmented films do not present a high gloss finish. [0002] One attempt at coating in the past was to use hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as described in my previous patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,479. Other efforts have been made by others in attempts to improve the appearance and organoleptic properties of coated tablets. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,841—Porter et al. which uses alginates to attempt to improve gloss. Also, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,298—Flanagan which uses the gum gellan to attempt to produce gloss. Both of these efforts have not been satisfactory. The coating method disclosed by Porter et al. produces a finish which is hazy after a build up of material. Flanagan is very hard to prepare and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides an edible film coating composition that produces a high gloss finish when applied to foods, confections, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. The composition contains shellac, a hydrolyzed starch product, and a plasticizer. The composition is stable and can be shipped to a facility for coating. The solution remains stable for at least three months and can contain up to 40% solids. The preferred salt is ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid."

Problems solved by technology

However, the coating of tablets to date has usually provided a low gloss and a disagreeable slimy mouth feel.

Even clear unpigmented films do not present a high gloss finish.

Both of these efforts have not been satisfactory.

Flanagan is very hard to prepare and apply and cannot be used at concentrations above 2% gum solids in the coating suspension.