A hard gelatin capsule, as its name implies, is used to house medications in the forms of powders, granules, or tiny pellets. On the other hand, its counterpart, the softgel capsule is usually for formulations in liquid form.
In this guide, you will learn the following:
– Definitions and their purposes
– Their differences
– How capsule filling machines work with these capsule types
Are You Looking For A Fully Automatic Capsule Filling Machine?
The first type in this discussion is the hard gelatin capsule. There are several uses for these capsules, from vitamins to herbal products, but they usually encapsulate substances in their powder and granular forms.
Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of supplements are known to use hard gelatin capsules. Gelatin is the material, a protein from collagen in animals.
Since hard gelatin capsules are used to house compounds usually in powder or granules, they need to be made of the appropriate materials. Primarily, these are:
The applications of hard gelatin capsules include:
This type is much preferred not only to guarantee that the product will be at its most effective, but also to mask unwanted odors and tastes, be easy to swallow – such as when consumed by younger people – and ensure they are not affected by disruptive environmental changes.
Meanwhile, soft gelatin capsules are fluffier, since they contain the substance in their liquid form. Thus, they can dissolve faster than hard gelatin capsules, dissolving quicker in the stomach with the gastric juices. They are also easier and more comfortable to swallow.
In terms of their composition, they mostly share the same with their hard gelatin counterpart, except that there’s the presence of water.
Soft gelatin is used for the following scenarios:
The biggest reason why pharmaceuticals prefer producing their products using soft gelatin is to introduce easy-to-swallow formulations, aside from protecting against the unwanted elements of the environment.
Gelatin, plasticizers, and colorants are the main components of hard gelatin capsules, which form two separate parts, the body and the cap. In contrast, their soft gelatin counterparts have shells that are more elastic, containing the same components as hard gelatins, but without colorants and with the addition of water.
For the hard gelatin capsules, after their gelatin solutions are made ready, it undergoes molding, drying, trimming, and joining. Meanwhile, your soft gel capsules typically use a specialized rotary die process for simultaneous formation, filling, and sealing, ensuring their integrity.
Hard gelatin capsules consist of two separate cylinder shells known as the cap and body connected to each other, with each shell being rigid. On the other hand, soft gelatin capsules are made of a single flexible and hermetically sealed shell of gelatin that houses the substances they’re intended to.
The usage and applications of hard gelatin capsules are almost the same as those of soft gelatin capsules, except that the former adds clinical research products as part of its applications, while the latter is best for cosmetic products.
For hard gelatin capsules, the two main components, the body and cap, are separated first, then filled with the substance formulation, prior to closing the shell. The process for soft gelatin capsules are more complex, requiring more specialized machines.
Both are effective, but hard gelatin capsules cost less because of the more complex production process of their soft gelatin counterpart.
Hard gelatin capsules have slower dissolution rates and lower bioavailability compared to soft gelatin capsules primarily because of their unique compositions and structures.
Here is a summary of those points:
| Points of Comparison | Hard Gel Capsule | Soft Gel Capsule |
| Composition and material | Gelatin and additives as its main components | Primary components are gelatin, plasticizer, and water |
| Production process | Preparation, molding, drying, trimming, and joining | With a specialized rotary die process, processes are simultaneous formation, filling, and sealing |
| Physical characteristics | Rigid cap and body | Flexible shell |
| Usage and applications | Dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and clinical research, among others | Dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic applications, among others |
| Filling content | First, separate the body and cap. Second, place in the substance. Lastly, close the shell. | Content filling process is more complex, requiring specialized machines. |
| Cost and efficiency | Hard gelatin capsules cost less than their soft gelatin counterpart | |
| Dissolution rate and bioavailability | Hard gelatins have slower dissolution rates and lower bioavailability compared to soft gelatins. | |
While hard gelatin capsules are notable for its ability to deal with stability problems, being faster to produce, and enhance product identity with various color and shape choices, among others good things, they are more difficult to digest, may cause gastric irritation because of their nature, and incompatible with certain substances, such as highly soluble salts.
However, you can address those cons and ensure you produce the best capsules by investing in the right capsule filling equipment. Not every machine of this kind is created equal, their features must match the capsules you are looking to produce. For manufacturers of hard gelatin capsules, consider the capsule filling machines from Canaan. Designed and crafted using advanced technology, Canaan’s machines ensure the highest levels of cleanliness, precision, and reliability.
Hard gelatin vs. soft gelatin? It will ultimately depend on how you want to offer the capsules to your consumers. Do you want them to save on the costs? Then, choose hard gelatin capsules. If you want to offer easy-to-swallow capsules, those made with soft gelatin are suitable for this purpose. For producing the most efficient hard gelatin capsules, the top-notch capsule filling machines from Canaan are recommended. View the catalog now or contact them to find out what they have in store for you.
Maintaining cleanliness and compliance in the pharmaceutical industry is no small task. Every step in the manufacturing process must meet stringent hygiene standards, and that includes bin washing stations and containers used to handle sensitive materials. If you’ve ever wondered what these systems are, why they’re important, or how they can benefit your operations, this […]
Keeping a pharmaceutical environment efficient, clean, and safe isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s lifting heavy materials or streamlining workflows, the right solutions can make all the difference. That’s where lifting solutions, such as a pharmaceutical lifter (pharma lifter), come in. If you’re wondering how these tools optimize operations and ensure compliance, you’re […]
Producing perfect tablets is not easy. Whether you’re in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, or other industries, tablet press machine defects can disrupt operations, waste materials, and compromise product quality. But here’s the good news: understanding these issues and their solutions can save you time, money, and headaches. Let’s explore the most common tablet press machine defects and […]
+86-577-67378828
canaan@chinacanaan.com