Non-animal Soft Capsule Shell Composition Starch Retrogradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-animal derived soft capsule shell compositions face challenges with delayed disintegration and increased shell hardness due to starch retrogradation, which is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A non-animal derived soft capsule shell composition is developed using slow retrogradation starch, antioxidants, and disintegration agents to prevent the formation of starch micelles and net structures, comprising specific weight percentages of starch, gum, plasticizer, buffering agent, disintegration agent, antioxidant, and purified water, with iota-carrageenan and kappa-carrageenan as gelling agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If non-animal derived soft capsule shell is made using starch and gum, then vegetarian requirements are met, but shell hardness increases and disintegration is delayed due to starch retrogradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies starch parameters by using hydroxypropylated modified starch instead of native starch, which changes the molecular structure to prevent retrogradation. This parameter change maintains the non-animal derived requirement while solving the hardness and disintegration issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining hydroxypropylated modified starch with specific gums (arabic gum, tragacanth gum, karaya gum, ghatti gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, tara gum, konjac, algin, agar, carrageenan, pullulan, pectin, gellan, mannan, or xanthan gum) to achieve the desired balance between shell strength and disintegration properties
2Ease of manufacture
If starch solution is left for a long period, then capsule shell can be manufactured, but starch forms micelle structure by retrogradation, causing increased hardness and delayed disintegration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding disintegration agents to the starch solution before capsule formation. This ensures that even if retrogradation occurs during storage, the disintegration agents are already present to prevent micelle structure formation and maintain disintegration properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces disintegration agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the starch structure and the desired disintegration behavior. These agents prevent the harmful micelle structure formation while allowing the manufacturing process to proceed
3Reliability
If disintegration agents and antioxidants are added to suppress retrogradation, then disintegration stability is improved, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by selecting additives that serve multiple purposes. For example, certain gums both provide structural support for shell formation and simultaneously inhibit retrogradation, reducing the need for additional separate additives and managing composition complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition improves disintegration stability and suppresses shell hardness, meeting stringent disintegration requirements and maintaining stability over time, as demonstrated by storage and disintegration tests.
Implementation Method 1
antioxidant to prevent the formation of starch micelles and net structures
Implementation Method 2
iota-carrageenan and kappa-carrageenan as gelling agents
Implementation Method 3
retrogradation of starch
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a non-animal soft capsule shell composition having improved disintegration stability and shell hardness. More particularly, the present invention relates to a non-animal soft capsule shell composition and to a method for preparing same, in which an antioxidant and a disintegration aid are added to the non-animal soft capsule shell composition that is typically made of starch or a starch derivative, gums, a plasticizer, a buffering agent, and purified water which inhibit starch retrogradation and thus inhibit an increase in disintegration stability and capsule shell hardness, thereby improving disintegration stability and shell hardness.