A pectin-based gel composition and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a gel composition and a method of its preparation and use, wherein the composition comprises 1-30 wt% pectin, 1-20 wt% tara gum, and 6-70 wt% pullulan, the composition substantially not comprising carrageenan and starch.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the processing of food, medicine, health products, etc., and in particular to gel compositions and their applications. Background Technology

[0002] With the growing popularity of the plant-based concept, plant-based soft capsules have attracted widespread attention in the international market. Traditional gelatin soft capsules can no longer meet the increasing consumer demand. Finding plant-based soft capsules has become an inevitable requirement for the development of the plant-based soft capsule market. Currently, the most mature plant-based capsule raw material on the market is carrageenan-starch based, which is the main wall material. However, carrageenan-starch based solutions have high viscosity, high gelation temperature, and poor film transparency. Furthermore, the small molecule polysaccharide poligeenan contained in commercial carrageenan has been controversial due to its carcinogenic risks. Moreover, the film formation process of carrageenan-starch based solutions requires improvements to traditional capsule equipment, thus presenting difficulties in promoting its use as a replacement for gelatin capsules.

[0003] Therefore, there is a market need for capsules that can replace gelatin capsules, have good thermal reversibility, high transparency, low dissolution and gelation temperatures, and do not use carrageenan-starch as the main raw material. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention relates to a gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight of pectin, 1-20% by weight of triazine gum, and 6-70% by weight of pullulan, wherein the composition is substantially free of carrageenan and starch.

[0005] The present invention relates to a gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight of a gelling agent composed of pectin, 1-20% by weight of a coagulant aid composed of tristan gum, and 6-70% by weight of a film-forming agent composed of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

[0006] This invention relates to a method for preparing the gel composition, wherein the method comprises:

[0007] a. Mix pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and dissolve in water to obtain a gel solution;

[0008] b. Forming the adhesive solution into an adhesive film;

[0009] c. Dry the film until the moisture content is 8-25% by weight to obtain the gel composition.

[0010] This invention relates to a capsule comprising the aforementioned gel composition, preferably a soft capsule.

[0011] This invention relates to the use of the gel composition in the preparation of capsules, preferably soft capsules. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 Images showing the transparency of capsules from samples 2, 3, and 5, and control groups 1 and 2. Detailed Implementation

[0013] Unless otherwise stated, all dimensions, weights, lengths, etc., are in metric units, and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius. It should be understood that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the materials, compounds, chemicals, etc., described herein are generally commodities and / or industry-standard items available from a variety of suppliers and sources worldwide.

[0014] In this document, values ​​expressed in a range format should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the values ​​explicitly listed as the limits of the range but also all individual values ​​or subranges covered within that range, as if each value and subrange were explicitly listed. For example, the range “about 0.1% to about 5%” or “about 0.1% to 5%” should be interpreted to include not only about 0.1% to about 5% but also individual values ​​(e.g., 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and subranges (e.g., 0.1% to 0.5%, 1.1% to 2.2%, 3.3% to 4.4%) within the specified range. Another example is “95-121”. o "C" includes not only 95-121 o C, also includes 95-121 o A single value within the range C (e.g., 95) o C, 96 o C, 97 o C, etc.), and sub-ranges (e.g., 95-97). o C, 96-100 o C, 100-121 o (C, etc.). Unless otherwise specified, the statement "about X to Y" has the same meaning as "about X to about Y". Similarly, unless otherwise specified, the statement "about X, Y, or about Z" has the same meaning as "about X, about Y, or about Z".

[0015] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise. For example, reference to “a substituent” includes a single substituent as well as two or more substituents, etc. It should be understood that any term in its singular form may include its plural counterpart, and vice versa.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, the term "or" is used to refer to a non-exclusive "or". The statement "at least one of A and B" has the same meaning as "A, B, or A and B".

[0017] As used herein, the terms “for example,” “such as,” “like,” or “including” are intended to introduce examples that further clarify a broader subject matter. Unless otherwise expressly stated, such examples are provided only to aid in understanding the applications shown in this disclosure and are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0018] As used herein, the term “about” may allow for a degree of variability, such as within 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of a specified value or range, and includes precisely specified values ​​or ranges.

[0019] As used herein, the term “substantially excludes” means almost entirely excluded, or included in a negligible amount. In one aspect, “substantially excludes” means included in an amount not exceeding 1% by weight, 0.9% by weight, 0.5% by weight, 0.1% by weight, 0.05% by weight, or 0.001% by weight of the composition.

[0020] As used herein, the term "% by weight" means, unless otherwise specified, based on the weight of the gel composition.

[0021] This invention relates to a gel composition, wherein the composition comprises pectin, trisaccharide and pullulan as main raw materials, and the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

[0022] The present invention relates to a gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight (or 2-25% by weight, or 7-20% by weight) pectin, 1-20% by weight (or 2-15% by weight, or 3-8% by weight) tristan gum, and 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) pullulan, wherein the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

[0023] The present invention relates to a gel composition comprising 1-30 wt% (or 2-25 wt%, or 7-20 wt%) of a gelling agent composed of pectin, 1-20 wt% (or 2-15 wt%, or 3-8 wt%) of a coagulant composed of tristan gum, and 6-70 wt% (or 10-60 wt%, or 15-50 wt%, or 20-40 wt%) of a membrane-forming agent composed of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

[0024] In one aspect, the gel composition comprises 6-60% by weight, 10-50% by weight, 20-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight of pullulan. In another aspect, the gel composition further comprises 2-35% by weight, 5-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the gel composition comprises 6-60% by weight (or 10-50% by weight, 20-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight) of pullulan and 2-35% by weight (or 5-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight) of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose are present in an amount of 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) of the gel composition.

[0025] In one aspect, the gel composition further includes a buffer salt. In another aspect, the gel composition comprises 0.08-15% by weight, 0.1-7% by weight, 0.2-6% by weight, or 0.3-5% by weight of a buffer salt, such as a calcium salt. In another aspect, the calcium salt comprises tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium carbonate, or any combination thereof.

[0026] In one aspect, the gel composition further includes a plasticizer. In another aspect, the gel composition comprises 6-70% by weight, 10-50% by weight, or 15-40% by weight of a plasticizer. In another aspect, the plasticizer comprises glycerin, sorbitol, or a combination thereof.

[0027] In one aspect, the gel composition further includes water. In another aspect, the water content is such that the content of all components in the gel composition reaches 100%. In another aspect, the gel composition includes 5-30% by weight, 8-25% by weight, or 10-20% by weight of water.

[0028] On the one hand, pectin includes low-methoxyl pectin (LM-pectin). On the other hand, low-methoxyl pectin includes non-amidated pectin.

[0029] On the one hand, pectin is low-methoxyl pectin. On the other hand, low-methoxyl pectin is non-amidated pectin. On the other hand, the galacturonic acid (GA) content of pectin is greater than 85%, 85%-99%, 87%-95%, or 90-93%. On the other hand, the degree of esterification (DE) of pectin is 0-10%, 1%-10%, 2-9%, 3-7%, or 4-6%.

[0030] On one hand, the viscosity of triazine adhesive is greater than 1000 cps, 1000-1500 cps, 1100-1400 cps, or 1200-1300 cps. On the other hand, the viscosity of triazine adhesive is measured by applying a 1% w / w aqueous solution of triazine adhesive at room temperature using a Brookfield viscometer with a No. 63 rotor at a speed of 60 rpm.

[0031] In one aspect, the gel composition includes a gelling agent, a coagulant aid, and a membrane-forming agent, wherein the gelling agent includes pectin, the coagulant aid includes triazine gum, and the membrane-forming agent includes pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the gel composition includes a gelling agent composed of pectin, a coagulant aid composed of triazine gum, and a membrane-forming agent composed of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In yet another aspect, the gel composition further includes a buffer salt such as a calcium salt, a plasticizer such as glycerol, and water.

[0032] In one aspect, the gelling composition substantially excludes gelling agents other than pectin. In another aspect, the gelling composition substantially excludes coagulant aids other than triazine. In another aspect, the gelling composition substantially excludes film-forming agents other than pullulan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the gelling composition substantially excludes carrageenan and starch. In another aspect, the gelling composition substantially excludes gelatin.

[0033] In one aspect, the gelling composition does not include gelling agents other than pectin. In another aspect, the gelling composition does not include coagulants other than triazine. In another aspect, the gelling composition does not include film-forming agents other than pullulan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the gelling composition does not include carrageenan and starch. In another aspect, the gelling composition does not use carrageenan and starch as its main raw materials. In another aspect, the gelling composition does not include gelatin, or does not use gelatin as its main raw material.

[0034] In one aspect, the gel composition comprises 1-30% by weight (or 2-25% by weight, or 7-20% by weight) of a gelling agent (e.g., pectin, preferably low-methoxyl pectin), 1-20% by weight (or 2-15% by weight, or 3-8% by weight) of a coagulant (e.g., triazine gum), and 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) of pullulan.

[0035] In one aspect, the gel composition comprises 1-30% by weight (or 2-25% by weight, or 7-20% by weight) of a gelling agent (e.g., pectin, preferably low-methoxyl pectin), 1-20% by weight (or 2-15% by weight, or 3-8% by weight) of a coagulant aid (e.g., triazine), and 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) of pullulan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In another aspect, the gel composition comprises 6-60% by weight (or 10-50% by weight, 20-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight) of pullulan and 2-35% by weight (or 5-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight) of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

[0036] In one aspect, the gel composition comprises 1-30% by weight (or 2-25% by weight, or 7-20% by weight) of pectin (preferably low-methoxyl pectin, more preferably pectin with 85%-99% galacturonic acid and 0-10% esterification), 1-20% by weight (or 2-15% by weight, or 3-8% by weight) of triazine, 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) of pullulan, 0.08-15% by weight (or 0.1-7% by weight, 0.2-6% by weight, or 0.3-5% by weight) of a buffer salt such as a calcium salt, and 6-70% by weight (or 10-50% by weight, or 15-40% by weight) of a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. In another aspect, the gel composition further comprises 2-35% by weight (or 5-30% by weight, or 10-20% by weight) of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. In one aspect, the gel composition comprises 6-70% by weight (or 10-60% by weight, or 15-50% by weight, or 20-40% by weight) pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

[0037] This invention relates to a method for preparing a gel composition, wherein the method comprises:

[0038] a. Mix pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and dissolve in water to obtain a gel solution;

[0039] b. Forming the adhesive solution into an adhesive film;

[0040] c. Dry the film to a moisture content of 8-25% by weight (or 10-20% by weight, or 12-18% by weight) to obtain the gel composition.

[0041] In one aspect, in step a., pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, calcium salt, and plasticizer are mixed and dissolved in water to obtain a solution. In another aspect, in step a., the mixture is heated at 85-105... oC (or 88-103) o C, or 90-100 o The adhesive solution is obtained by dissolving it in water at temperature C).

[0042] In one aspect, in step a., the pectin content in the gum solution is 0.5-25% by weight, 2-20% by weight, or 3-15% by weight, based on the weight of the gum solution. In another aspect, in step a., the triazine content in the gum solution is 0.5-15% by weight, 1-10% by weight, or 2-8% by weight. In another aspect, in step a., the pullulan content and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose content in the gum solution is 5-60% by weight, 5-50% by weight, 15-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight. In another aspect, in step a., the pullulan content in the gum solution is 5-50% by weight, 15-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight, and the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose content is 1-30% by weight, 5-25% by weight, or 10-15% by weight. In one aspect, in step a., the calcium salt content in the adhesive solution is 0.05-8 wt%, 0.1-7 wt%, 0.2-6 wt%, or 0.3-5 wt%. In another aspect, in step a., the plasticizer content in the adhesive solution is 5-60 wt%, 10-50 wt%, or 15-40 wt%.

[0043] On the one hand, the adhesive solution in step b. is maintained at 90-100%. o C (or 92-98) o C, or 93-97 o The temperature of C) is fed into a gel film forming machine to form a gel film. In one aspect, the gel film forming machine is any conventional machine capable of forming gel films, such as a capsule encapsulation machine. In another aspect, the gel solution is fed into a capsule encapsulation machine for compression to form capsules.

[0044] This invention relates to a gel composition prepared by the above method.

[0045] This invention relates to a capsule comprising the aforementioned gel composition, preferably a soft capsule. The invention relates to a capsule made from the aforementioned gel composition. In one aspect, the gel composition is a capsule. In another aspect, the gel composition is formed into a liquid, fed into a capsule encapsulation machine, and pelletized to form a capsule. In another aspect, after pelletizing, the capsule is dried to a moisture content of 8%-25% by weight. In another aspect, the capsule contains 8%-25% by weight of moisture based on the weight of the capsule.

[0046] This invention relates to a method for preparing capsules, wherein the method includes:

[0047] a. Dissolving the gel composition to obtain a gel solution; and

[0048] b. The adhesive solution is fed into a capsule machine for compression to form capsules.

[0049] This invention relates to a method for preparing capsules, preferably soft capsules, wherein the method includes:

[0050] a. Mix 0.5-25% by weight (or 2-20% by weight, or 3-15% by weight) of pectin, 0.5-15% by weight (or 1-10% by weight, or 2-8% by weight) of tristan gum, and 5-60% by weight (or 5-50% by weight, or 15-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight) of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and heat at 85-105 °C. o C (or 88-103) o C, or 90-100 o Dissolved in water at temperature C) to obtain a gel solution;

[0051] b. The gel solution is fed into a capsule machine for compression to form capsules.

[0052] In one aspect, wherein in step a., based on the weight of the adhesive, 0.5-25% by weight (or 2-20% by weight, or 3-15% by weight) of pectin, 0.5-15% by weight (or 1-10% by weight, or 2-8% by weight) of tristan gum, and 5-60% by weight (or 5-50% by weight, or 15-40% by weight, or 20-35% by weight) of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, 0.05-8% by weight (or 0.1-7% by weight, 0.2-6% by weight, or 0.3-5% by weight) of calcium salt, and 5-60% by weight (or 10-50% by weight, or 15-40% by weight) of plasticizer are mixed and placed at 85-105 o C (or 88-103) o C, or 90-100 o The adhesive is obtained by dissolving it in water at temperature C).

[0053] On the one hand, in step b), the temperature is maintained at 90-100 degrees Celsius. o C (or 92-98) o C, or 93-97 o The adhesive solution in step c) is fed into a capsule encapsulation machine. In one aspect, the method further includes drying the capsules to a moisture content of 8-25% by weight.

[0054] This invention relates to a capsule prepared by the above method.

[0055] This invention relates to the use of the gel composition in the preparation of capsules. In one aspect, the capsule is a soft capsule. This invention also relates to the use of the gel composition or capsule (preferably a soft capsule) in the preparation of food, health supplements, or pharmaceutical products. In one aspect, the gel composition is a capsule wall material or capsule shell.

[0056] Unbound by theory, the inventors of this invention surprisingly discovered that gel compositions (or capsules) containing pectin, triacin, and pullulan have a content of less than 55%. o C (or below 50) o C, or 30-55 o C, or 35-50 o C) Gel temperature. If one of these three components is replaced with another similar component, the gel temperature will rise, for example, to above 55°C. o C, even higher than 60 o C or 70 o C. The inventors have surprisingly discovered that pectin, trisaccharide, and pullulan have a synergistic effect in reducing gel temperature, and this synergistic effect is reduced when one of the components is replaced.

[0057] The inventors also surprisingly discovered that the gel temperature of the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention is superior to that of capsules made primarily of starch and carrageenan (i.e., the former has a lower gel temperature than the latter). The gel temperature of the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention is close to that of capsules made primarily of gelatin. Moreover, the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention exhibits good thermal reversibility. The inventors also surprisingly discovered that the transparency of the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention is similar to that of capsules made of gelatin, both exhibiting good transparency. Therefore, the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention, comprising pectin, triacin, and pullulan, can be used to replace gelatin capsules.

[0058] In one aspect, the gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention is a fiber-rich, low-calorie plant-based soft capsule. In another aspect, the pectin-based gel composition (or capsule) of the present invention is a label-clean or label-friendly, recyclable plant-based soft capsule.

[0059] Example

[0060] The following embodiments are provided to further illustrate and explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

[0061] Example 1 - Preparation of soft capsules

[0062] Prepare the adhesive solution according to the components and contents shown in Table 1, and heat it at 85-105°C. o Dissolve and thoroughly mix the adhesive solution at a temperature of C, remove air bubbles, and then maintain the temperature at 90-100°C.o C. After feeding the gelatin solution into the capsule machine for conventional pelleting, it is dried until the moisture content is as low as 8% to obtain soft capsules.

[0063] Gelation temperature was measured using a HAAKE Viscoester IQ instrument. The rotor was a P60. The gelation temperature was measured by oscillating a temperature ramp, with the temperature set from 100°C. o C decreased to 50 o C, frequency 1Hz, shear stress 1Pa. The temperature at which the storage modulus equals the loss modulus is read as the gelation temperature.

[0064] Method for measuring thermal reversibility: The formed film or capsule can be dissolved by heating and reused. The thermal reversibility of this invention is compared with that of carrageenan-starch based capsules (carrageenan and starch weight ratio of 1:3). After the film is recovered from the capsule machine, it is placed in a dissolving tank at 105°C. o After dissolving C for 2 hours and keeping it at the temperature for 1 hour, the gel temperature of the recovered dissolved adhesive is tested using the above method. If the gel temperature is less than 10 degrees Celsius different from the gel temperature of the first feeding before recovery, it is determined to be thermally reversible.

[0065] Transparency measurement: The transparency of the capsule is assessed by visual inspection.

[0066] Table 1

[0067] As shown in Table 1, compared with the gelatin capsules of control group 2, capsule samples 2, 3, and 5, which contain pectin, triacin, and pullulan, all have lower gelation temperatures, i.e., all below 50°C. o C. However, capsule samples 1, 4, 6, and 7, which only contain pectin and trisaccharide but not pullulan, all had values ​​higher than 55. o C is the gel temperature. Control 3, which includes only pectin and pullulan but not triazine, also has a gel temperature higher than 55. o The gelation temperature was determined by C. These results indicate that pectin, trisaccharide, and pullulan have a synergistic effect in reducing gelation temperature. This synergistic effect diminishes when one of them is replaced by another similar component.

[0068] Capsules made of starch and carrageenan, control group 1 had 75 o C represents the gel temperature. This indicates that the capsules of the present invention, comprising pectin, trisaccharide, and pullulan, are superior to capsules made of starch-carrageenan in reducing the gel temperature.

[0069] Except for control groups 1 and 3, all other samples exhibited thermal reversibility. This indicates that the capsules of the present invention, comprising pectin, triacin, and pullulan, not only have a thermal reversibility of less than 55... o C (or below 50) o C) has a gelation temperature and good thermal reversibility. The pectin-based capsules of the present invention are plant-based capsules that can replace gelatin capsules.

[0070] Figure 1 The transparency of samples 2, 3, and 5, as well as controls 1 and 2, was presented. The results show that samples 2, 3, and 5 have similar transparency to control 2, exhibiting good transparency, while control 1's capsules have very poor transparency. This also demonstrates that the pectin-based capsules of the present invention are plant-based capsules that can replace gelatin capsules.

[0071] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain. It should also be understood that, unless expressly defined herein, terms such as those defined in common dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology and this disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0072] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and elements therein can be substituted with equivalents without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, various modifications can be made to adapt the teachings of this disclosure to particular situations or materials without departing from the basic scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but rather this disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

[0073] The representative features of the present invention are set forth in the following clauses, which may be independent, combined, or arbitrarily combined with one or more features disclosed in the specification.

[0074] This invention is as described in the following terms:

[0075] Clause 1. A gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight pectin, 1-20% by weight tristan gum, and 6-70% by weight pullulan, wherein the composition is substantially free of carrageenan and starch.

[0076] Clause 2. A gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight of a gelling agent composed of pectin, 1-20% by weight of a coagulant aid composed of tristan gum, and 6-70% by weight of a film-forming agent composed of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

[0077] Clause 3. The gel composition according to Clause 2, wherein the composition comprises 6-60% by weight pullulan and 2-35% by weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

[0078] Clause 4. The gel composition according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composition further comprises 0.08-15% by weight of a calcium salt.

[0079] Clause 5. The gel composition according to Clause 4, wherein the calcium salt comprises tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium carbonate, or any combination thereof.

[0080] Clause 6. The gel composition according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the composition further comprises 6-70% by weight of a plasticizer.

[0081] Clause 7. The gel composition according to Clause 6, wherein the plasticizer comprises glycerin, sorbitol, or any combination thereof.

[0082] Clause 8. The gel composition according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pectin is low-methoxyl pectin.

[0083] Clause 9. The gel composition according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pectin has a galacturonic acid content greater than 85% and a degree of esterification of 0-10%.

[0084] Clause 10. The gel composition according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the gel composition comprises 8-25% by weight of water.

[0085] Clause 11. A method for preparing a gel composition according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the method comprises:

[0086] a. Mix pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and dissolve in water to obtain a gel solution;

[0087] b. Forming the adhesive solution into an adhesive film;

[0088] c. Dry the film until the moisture content is 8-25% by weight to obtain the gel composition.

[0089] Clause 12. The method according to Clause 11, wherein in step a., pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, calcium salt, and plasticizer are mixed and dissolved in water to obtain a gel.

[0090] Clause 13. The method according to Clause 11 or 12, wherein in step a. the mixture is at 85-105 o The adhesive solution is obtained by dissolving it in water at a temperature of C.

[0091] Clause 14. The method according to any one of Clauses 11-13, wherein the adhesive solution in step b. is maintained at 90-100%. o The film is fed into a film forming machine at a temperature of C to form a film.

[0092] Clause 15. The method according to any one of Clauses 11-14, wherein the gel is fed into a capsule machine for compression to form capsules.

[0093] Clause 16. A capsule comprising any one of the gel compositions described in Clauses 1-10, preferably a soft capsule.

[0094] Clause 17. Use of the gel composition described in any one of Clauses 1-10 in the preparation of capsules, preferably soft capsules.

Claims

1. A gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight pectin, 1-20% by weight triazine gum, and 6-70% by weight pullulan, wherein the composition is substantially free of carrageenan and starch.

2. A gel composition comprising 1-30% by weight of a gelling agent composed of pectin, 1-20% by weight of a coagulant aid composed of tristan gum, and 6-70% by weight of a membrane-forming agent composed of pullulan and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, wherein the composition substantially does not contain carrageenan and starch.

3. The gel composition according to claim 2, wherein the composition comprises 6-60% by weight pullulan and 2-35% by weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

4. The gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises 0.08-15% by weight of a calcium salt.

5. The gel composition according to claim 4, wherein the calcium salt comprises tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate, dicalcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium carbonate, or any combination thereof.

6. The gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises 6-70% by weight of a plasticizer.

7. The gel composition of claim 6, wherein the plasticizer comprises glycerol, sorbitol, or any combination thereof.

8. The gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pectin is a low-methoxyl pectin.

9. The gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pectin has a galacturonic acid content greater than 85% and a degree of esterification of 0-10%.

10. The gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gel composition comprises 8-25% by weight of water.

11. A method for preparing the gel composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises: a. Mix pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and dissolve in water to obtain a gel solution; b. Forming the adhesive solution into an adhesive film; c. Dry the film until the moisture content is 8-25% by weight to obtain the gel composition.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein in step a., pectin, trisaccharide, pullulan, and optionally hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, calcium salt, and plasticizer are mixed and dissolved in water to obtain a gel solution.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein in step a. the mixture is at 85-105 o The adhesive solution is obtained by dissolving it in water at a temperature of C.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, wherein the adhesive solution in step b. is maintained at 90-100%. o The film is fed into a film forming machine at a temperature of C to form a film.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, wherein the adhesive solution is fed into a capsule machine for compression to form capsules.

16. A capsule comprising the gel composition according to any one of claims 1-10, preferably a soft capsule.

17. Use of the gel composition according to any one of claims 1-10 in the preparation of capsules, preferably soft capsules.

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