Soft Capsules: Features and Benefits
Soft gelatin capsules have also gained popularity in the industry due to their versatility, ease of swallowing, and high bioavailability.
Widely used across different market segments, they offer advantages to both consumers and manufacturers.
In this article, we’ll dive into what softgels are, their uses, how they dissolve, and how they differ from hard capsules.
Enjoy your reading.
What Are Soft Gelatin Capsules?
Soft gelatin capsules, also known as softgels, are highly versatile dosage forms or nutraceuticals, consisting of a flexible gelatin shell that encloses an active substance in liquid and oily form.
Softgels are designed to offer protection, stabilization and bioavailability to the active ingredients contained inside.
They’re typically made from animal-derived gelatin combined with plasticizers like glycerin or sorbitol, which give them flexibility.
A key feature is their airtight seal, which blocks air and moisture, protecting the contents from oxidation, light damage, and microbial contamination.
What Are Softgels Used For?
Softgels are widely used for the delivery of lipophilic (fat-soluble) ingredients, such as oils, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), omega-3, plant extracts, and oral medications.
They are also very commonly used in dietary supplements, cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
The main reasons for choosing softgels include:
1- Easy ingestion;
2- Better masking of taste and odor;
3 – High dosage accuracy;
4- Greater bioavailability.
1 – Easy Ingestion
The capsules’ smooth surface and rounded shape make swallowing much easier, especially for children, older people, and people with difficulty swallowing conventional tablets.
This also contributes to a more comfortable and safer user experience, reducing the risk of choking.
2 – Better Masking of Taste and Odor
They’re also great at masking unpleasant flavors or odors from certain compounds like vitamins, minerals, or strong-smelling actives.
This makes them easier and more pleasant to take, improving the user’s overall experience and contributing to treatment or supplementation compliance.
3 – High Dosage Accuracy
Because each capsule contains a precise amount of active ingredients, they provide accurate dosage control.
Its level of accuracy is crucial for both supplements and medications, where consistency and safety are essential, contributing to preventing overdoses and ensuring higher treatment effectiveness.
4 – Greater Bioavailability
Since the contents are already in liquid or soluble powder form, softgels are absorbed faster and more efficiently by the body.
This means that more of the active substance is actually absorbed by the body, which results in better expected outcomes from the product used.
Dissolution Time of Soft Gelatin Capsules
Soft gelatin capsules are designed to disintegrate rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract, with an average dissolution time ranging from 5 to 30 minutes after swallowing.
Four main factors influence this interval:
1 – Capsule composition;
2 – Filling formulation;
3 – Patient’s physiological conditions;
4 – Interaction with food or concomitant medications.
1 – Capsule Composition
The type of gelatin used, whether bovine, porcine, or marine, and its degree of cross-linking determine the time required for the capsule’s initial hydration.
Furthermore, the addition of plasticizers such as glycerin and sorbitol provides flexibility to the capsule wall, directly impacting its water permeability.
Another decisive factor is the wall thickness: the thinner the film, the faster it hydrates and ruptures, releasing the internal contents.
2 – Filling Formulation
The filling formulation also plays a fundamental role. Substances in solution or suspension disperse more quickly than oily pastes, which favors a faster release of the active ingredient.
The viscosity and surface tension of the filling affect how and how quickly the contents escape after the capsule ruptures.
3 – Patient’s Physiological Conditions
Gastric pH, for example, is a crucial factor, since gelatin is better soluble in an acidic medium (pH between 1 and 2), any variation can impact dissolution.
Furthermore, gastric motility, that is, the movements of the stomach, mechanically aids in capsule fragmentation.
4 – Interaction With Food or Concomitant Medications
High-fat foods tend to slow down initial hydration, while hot drinks can speed it up.
Medications such as antacids or proton pump inhibitors, which raise gastric pH, can also prolong dissolution time, making it difficult to release the drug at the ideal time.
Difference Between Soft and Hard Capsules
| Characteristic | Soft Capsules (Softgels) | Hard Capsules (Hardgels) |
| Capsule Composition | Gelatin + plasticizers | Rigid gelatin (without plasticizers) |
| Contents | Liquid, pasty, or oily | Powder, granules, or small particles |
| Sealing | Hermetic | Usually composed of two joined parts |
| Main applications | Fat-soluble vitamins, oils, extracts | Solid and herbal medicines |
| Absorption | Faster | Moderate, depending on the formulation |
Conclusion
Softgel capsules are a modern, effective, and highly adaptable delivery system for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical active ingredients.
With fast dissolution, strong stability, and high absorption rates, they meet the needs of both consumers and manufacturers who prioritize quality, safety, and performance.
At Gelco International, we supply high-performance gelatins for softgel production, with controlled purity, viscosity, and functional properties, perfect for developing innovative formulations.
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