Dietary supplements in the form of softgel capsules have been very popular on the market for some time. For some time their production ha salso been part of the UNIPRO offer.
Soft capsules as a dietary supplement are used for packing liquids (mainly oils) and suspensions (properly ground solids dispersed in an oily liquid). Closing the liquid supplement in a capsule masks its unpleasant taste or smell and makes it easier to swallow. It is possible to adjust the color of the capsule to the requirements of each client by using appropriate food dyes. Soft capsules ensure precise dosing of the supplement and effectively protect it against changes caused by oxidation and against the influence of light.
The most popular method of producing soft capsules is the exturtion method, which consists in enclosing a liquid dietary supplement in a pre-formed gelatin foil on cylinders with recesses in the selected capsule shape. The basic shape of soft gelatin capsules are:
- Round
- Oval
- Oblong
- Ampoule (e.g. twist-off „fish”)
The perfect repestability of shapes and dimensions of soft capsules guarantees an appropriate and unchaging dose of dietary supplement in each capsule.
Perfect example of raw material suitable for the production of dietary supplements in the form of capsules is vitamin D3, which has been assigned features that potencially alleviate the effects of COVID-19 (in British and Belgian studies). Other examples of raw materials are fish oils rich in Omega-3 acids and and other vegetable oils (e.g. from borage or evening primrose) with high content of Omega-6 fatty acids. The addition of vitamin E to supplements of this type not only helps consumers to replenish the deficiencies of this vitamin, but also thanks to its anioxidant properties, protects the inside of the capsule against irreversible changes due to oxidation.
The production of soft capsules is carried out in accordance with strictly defined standards and in accordance with applicable national and international standards and regulations.