Empty capsules or two piece capsules are the most effective packaging solution in the pharmaceutical and supplements industry.
As a matter of fact, they are versatile and you can use them to package a wide range of products, as long as you have a capsule filling machine.
If you are wondering what to put in empty capsules, we are here to help you. But first let’s start with the basics:
What are Empty Capsules?
Empty capsules are unfilled two –piece structures that are designed to hold different products. Whether you are in the pharmaceutical, supplement or herbal industry, capsules offer a perfect packaging solution.
Their main purpose is to hold particles in a proper way making it easier to be administered orally. Usually, the protective shell in which the empty capsule is made of is well designed to protect the content inside. Therefore, they ensure the content remains contamination free from pathogens or germs.
Types of Capsules you can Fill Various Products
When it comes to two piece capsules, you have the option of choosing:
Hard Gelatin Capsules – Capsules made from gelatin which are from an animal origin or cellulose usually loaded with powders or granules. Therefore, before choosing what to put in your empty capsules, it is important to know whether your target client can use animal products.
Vegetarian Capsules – These are capsules that are produced fromplant based material. They consist of vegetable cellulose. Some examplesinclude HPMC capsules, tapioca capsules and Pullulan capsules.
Products you can put in Empty Capsules
Both empty gelatin capsules and empty vegetable capsules provide effective solution packaging solution for many products. Let’s look at common products you can put in empty capsules:
· Granules
These are small dry particles that are intended to be swallowed, chewed or dissolved. For example,starch and insulin granules.
You can fill empty capsules with granules using most capsule fillers. However, even as you fill granules in capsules, it is important to pay attention to material flowability, particle size, and moisture content. In case you are dealing with different grades of granules, use a reliable mixers for homogenous product.
· Powder
It is a simple hard particle that is produced by breaking down solid substances. You can make powder by reducing material size through grinding.
Powder can be identified by itstexture, smell,appearance and reaction to water. It is a solid form that can be separated into different portions.
One of the most popular products you will find in capsules is in powder form. As long as the powder meets the required flowability, density and relevant properties. The powder material should be easier to fill using capsule filling machines. It does not matter whether you will use manual capsule filler, semi-automatic capsule filler or fully automatic capsule filler.
· Liquids
Liquids are different physical forms of matter that have a definite volume but no fixed shape. Due to this unique property, putting liquid in empty capsules can be quire challenging.
Therefore, you will need specialized equipment to fill empty capsules with liquids. In case you are opting for manual filling liquid in capsules you need a dropper, syringe or equipment that will dispense an equal amount of liquid into the capsules.
Furthermore, when you fill capsules with liquid, you will require specialized sealing. These may include using heated gelatin, or banding.
For semi-automatic and fully automatic capsule filling machines, they are equipped with different technologies such as:
- Positive displacement pump
- Peristatic pump
Although Softgel capsules are not usually referred to as empty capsules, they are perfect for filling semi-liquid or liquid products.
· Small Tablets
These are mini pills that are produced by using several combinations that are separated into small units of the intended tablet.
They are suitable for those who find it hard to ingest solid particles. They can well be defined by their different sizes and shapes.
However, putting small tablets in empty capsules is a rare phenomenon. But it is still practical. Sat the same time, it will require you modify your capsule filling machine to accommodate this.
· Extracts from Herbs
These are materials that are drawn out from the basic ingredients of plants that yielded them.
It gives one immediate health benefits or nutritional values as they can be used as additives in food industries. Extracts from herbs can be dried and powdered depending on the desired purpose.
Some of the examples of extracts from herbs are essential oils, food and spice extracts.
In most cases, you will fill these products in capsules when they are in powder or granules form.
Conclusion
Empty Capsules are generally smooth, and their different sizes make it easier for swallowing. They allow creation of different combinations of supplements making it easier to consume in cases of avoiding disgusting flavors.
Empty Capsules are useful in preservation of sensitive ingredients. They are widely available and can be rapidly absorbed, therefore suitable in pharmaceutical applications.
As you have seen, there are many products you can put in empty capsules. However, the most common options are powder and granules.
FAQs
How do you choose empty capsules for filling?
In order to choose empty capsules for filling one should consider the ingredient needed per dose. Other factors to consider include quantity of the fillers that make the powder, ease of swallowing and the type of capsules.
Larger capsules tend to accommodate more materials compared to the smaller sized ones. This makes it easier for proper packaging and ease of consumption.
What are the available empty capsule sizes?
The available empty capsule sizes are 000, 00,0,1,2,3, 4 and 5.
