What are the raw materials of plant-based capsule shells?

The primary raw materials of plant-based capsule shells include tapioca starch, purified water, and glycerin. These materials work together to provide the capsule shell with its basic structure and strength, ensuring the stability of the medication and offering advantages such as being odorless and free of preservatives.

Components and characteristics of plant-based capsule shells:
Tapioca starch: As the main plant-based component, tapioca starch provides the basic structure and strength to the capsule shell, ensuring drug stability.

Purified water: Ensures the purity of the production process and prevents contamination by impurities.
Glycerin: As a plasticizer, glycerin helps improve the flexibility and elasticity of the capsule shell, regulates the dissolution rate of the capsule, and improves bioavailability.

The main differences between plant-based capsules and gelatin capsules lie in their raw material sources and characteristics:
Plant-based capsules: Primarily made from pharmaceutical-grade hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), derived from natural plants. They offer advantages such as stable properties, resistance to brittleness under low humidity conditions, and maintaining capsule shell stability under high humidity conditions. No preservatives or bactericides are added during the production process.

Gelatin capsules: Derived from collagen protein extracted from the skin, tendons, and bones of animals (mainly pigs, cattle, and sheep) through chemical methods. Gelatin has good biocompatibility and stability and is widely used in food and pharmaceuticals.

Plant-based capsule shells are harmless to the human body under normal use conditions. Their safety has been verified by numerous studies, and it is recommended to consult a doctor before use to ensure correct usage.