Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules: What Are The Difference?

1.What Are Gelatin Capsules?

Soft gelatin capsules- Picture Courtesy: lfacapsulefillers.com

Gelatin capsules are the most widely used capsules for delivering medications and supplements. They are derived from animal sources by boiling their connective tissues such as bones, tendons, and skin. These capsules are available in various sizes, colors as well as flavors.

Gelatin capsules are best known for their benefits of enhancing skin elasticity, improving sleep and strengthening joints. However, being an animal byproduct, many people have restrictions to avoid it which is why vegetarian capsules are concerned as an alternative.

2.What Are Vegetarian Capsules?

Vegetarian capsules- Picture Courtesy: capsuline.com

Vegetarian capsules can be better understood by the title which display their association with plants. These capsules are made from plant-based materials such as cellulose or pullulan. It makes them suitable for people who want to reduce intake of animal products.

Similarly, vegetarian capsules are also available in different colors and flavors. Unlike gelatin capsules, vegetarian capsules are environmentally friendly with quick solubility as they are less stable. Moreover, vegan empty capsules can also be easily used to consume vitamin and proteins at home.

3.Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules: What Are The Difference?

When it comes to highlight the differences between gelatin and vegetarian capsules, many aspects can be discussed. In this question, you will know the distinctions that prevail between the ingredients, sources, and characteristics of gelatin vs vegetarian capsules:

Ingredients

Ingredients of gelatin vs vegetarian capsules- Picture Courtesy: capsuline.com

Gelatin capsules include collagen as a primary ingredient for their composition which helps in forming their structure. Apart from this, protein, peptides, water, and plasticizers are other ingredients used in gelatin capsules.

On the other hand, vegetarian capsules are made from one of the two Ingredients. The first is HPMC which is derived from plant cellulose. The second ingredient is pullulan.

Sources

Plant based capsule presentation idea- Picture Courtesy: medium.com

The source of gelatin capsules is animals such as pigs, chicken, and cow etc. Their tendons and ligaments are passed through various stages to get the collagen for thickening capsules.

In contrast, vegetarian capsules are purely made from vegan sources such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose along with starch.

Characteristics

Liquid & powder filled capsules- Picture Courtesy: smpnutra.com

Both gelatin and vegetarian capsules have different characteristics which can be better understood under the following headings:

Stability:Gelatin capsules have lower stability due to their containment of high moisture content between 13% and 16%. While as, vegetarian capsules stand out when it comes to their stability as they contain less moisture content at about 2% to 6%.

Permeability:Gelatin capsules have high oxygen permeability making it easy for oxygen to get pass through them. On the other hand, the higher strength of vegetarian capsules makes them low permeable for oxygen.

Solubility:Gelatin capsules become less soluble as compared to vegetarian capsules because when the normal body temperature drops. Contrary to that, vegetarian capsules easily get dissolve in water at normal room temperature.

Heat Sensitivity:Gelatin capsules cannot resist temperature that exceed 60° because of which it starts degradation. However, vegetarian capsules are good at tolerating extreme level heat. They remain same until the temperature hit 80°.

Light Sensitivity:Gelatin capsules are light sensitive, while as, vegetarian capsules can easily resist the light effects.

Cross-linking:Gelatin capsules may experience cross-linking problem which is absent in vegetarian capsules.

4.Benefits Of Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules?

Both gelatin and vegetarian capsules are offering multiple benefits. These are explained below:

Gelatin Capsules

Tasteless

A hand holding transparent softgel capsule- Picture Courtesy: stock.adobe.com

The tasteless properties of gelatin capsules make them easy to swallow without any discomfort of unfavorable taste.

Bioavailability

Gelatin capsules are highly bioavailable which can assist your body in absorbing particular kind of medications quickly.

Flexibility

Various formulations for capsules- Picture Courtesy: capsulesupplies.com

Gelatin capsules are highly favored for their quality of outstanding versatility to encase almost all kinds of formulations encompassing powders, pellets, and liquids etc.

Vegetarian Capsules

Improve Digestion

Softgel capsules presentation idea- Picture Courtesy: stock.adobe.com

Vegetarian capsules are easy to digest. In fact, materials present in such capsules act as prebiotics.

Non-Allergic

The foremost advantage of vegetarian capsules is their allergen friendly nature. It is because these capsules have zero presence of animal products.

Nontoxic

Nontoxic vegetarian capsules- Picture Courtesy: sawgrassnutralabs.com

These capsules are derived from plants which makes them fully natural. Thus, vegetarian capsules are nontoxic and good for people who are on diet or have health concerns.

Environmentally Friendly

Vegetarian capsules are highly sustainable for the reason that they require less resources than gelatin capsules. Moreover, it has low carbon footprint.

5.Side Effects Of Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules?

While gelatin and vegetarian capsules carry substantial benefits, there is a flip side of the coin that show the possible side effects which are necessary to have information about. These include:

Gelatin Capsules

Poor Stability

Gelatin capsules tend to be less stable as they get easily affected by environmental conditions like heat, oxygen, and moisture.

Allergenicity

Girl showing allergic reaction on her face- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

The main active ingredient being used in making gelatin capsules is collagen which is an animal byproduct. Therefore, many people have allergic problems as a result of which they cannot consume it.

Environmental Effects

The manufacturing of gelatin capsules requires lots of energy resources as a result of which it becomes a contributor for greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution.

Vegetarian Capsules

Stomach Discomfort

Animation of man holding belly for pain- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

Excessive use of vegetarian capsules may result in issues like gas, bloating or upset stomach.

Unpalatable Taste

Unlike gelatin capsules, vegetarian capsules come in various tastes which are often not favorable, thus, causing difficulty in swallowing.

6.What Equipment Are Used To Make And Pack Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules?

The manufacturing and packaging of gelatin vs vegetarian capsules involves the use of various machines. These are described below:

Hard gel Capsule Filling Machine

AIPAK- NJP-200C Automatic Capsule Filling Machine

Hard gel capsule filling machine is an excellent equipment tailored with advanced features to perfectly fill various formulations into hard gel gelatin and vegetarian capsules. It is available in different automation level with varying efficiency levels.

The machine is highly compact with multiple components all being made from quality stainless steel which are fully protected against corrosion and bacteria. It simply takes empty capsules and fill precise dosage of mixture. The machine is best suitable for industries dealing with hard gel capsules.

Blister Packaging Machine

AIPAK- DPP-180H High Speed Tablet/Pill/Capsule Alu Alu Blister Packaging Machine

Blister packaging machine is an electromechanical equipment used to pack gelatin and vegetarian capsules in separate bubble like areas called blisters. The machine efficiently creates blister packs from film, fill these packs with individual capsules, and cover them through impermeable film.

It is ideally suitable for retaining the quality of capsules by maintaining their moisture content level at appropriate level, so, stickiness can be avoided.

Bottling Machines

Allpack- Multi-function Tablet, Pill, Capsule Bottling Line

Bottling machines are highly effective equipment utilized for the comprehensive packaging of gelatin and vegetarian capsules into bottles. This bottling line by AIPAK is a complete packaging line that includes bottle unscrambler, capsule counting machine, desiccant inserting machine, bottle capping machine, induction sealer, and labeling machine.

Together, it can perfectly pack capsules in bottles and undergo these filled bottles through various stages to complete safe packaging.

7.What Are The Issues Related To Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules?

Apart from the above mentioned potential benefits and possible side effects of gelatin and vegetarian capsules, there are some minor issues related to both. They are common yet easy to be tackled. These include:

Microbial Growth

Various capsules & tablets in a bottle- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

Scientifically, gelatin capsules lack tryptophan which is an essential amino acids for bacterial growth. However, research has shown the gelatin susceptibility to microbial growth during storage. Similarly, vegetarian capsules are said to have natural presence of tryptophan but they are less prone to microbial growth. Thus, it remains a question on the prolonged safety of gelatin and vegetarian capsules against bacteria.

Fragility

Capsule with cracks- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

The hard gel shell of gelatin capsules and vegetarian capsules require 13% to 16% and 2% to 3% moisture content for their stability respectively. The decrease in moisture content can cause brittleness, while as, excess of humidity leads to stickiness. This becomes another significant issue with the respective capsules which can be solved by storing them in an environment with suitable temperature level.

Aging

The aging of gelatin and vegetarian capsules occurs due to stress and the use of multiple formulations which also cause cross-linking issue. These problems can be resolved by using compatible masking ingredients, suitable excipients with low amount of anti-oxidants and high number of amino acids. 

8.How To Select The Best Between Gelatin Vs Vegetarian Capsules?

Whenever you go for selecting the best between gelatin and vegetarian capsules remember that the choice is yours! So, you need to be very careful and look into the factors associated with you such as:

Ethical Concerns

Image showing ethical values- Picture Courtesy: michiganstateuniversityonline.com

Do you have any religious restrictions or ethical concerns? If yes! Then you should have knowledge that gelatin capsules are often made from animals whose consumption is prohibited in religions like Islam, Hinduism and Judaism. In such case, you can go for vegetarian capsules.

Dietary Plans

Girl on diet- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

Another aspect to consider is your dietary plans. If you are on specific died and want to reduce animal byproduct then plant-based capsules are good for you. Similarly, if you want to increase the intake of essential protein like collagen you can opt for gelatin capsules.

Capsule Properties

An opened capsule with vegetables- Picture Courtesy: Freepik

Understanding the properties of capsules is also important to choose the best one. For instance, gelatin capsules help in quick absorption of material, but it has potential environmental effects. Similarly, vegetarian capsules may be environmentally friendly but have poor absorption.

Health Consideration

It is significant to consider your health when choosing between these capsule types. For example, if you have certain allergies related to animal derived products then it is wise to look for plant-based alternatives.

Conclusion

To put in a nutshell, Gelatin Capsules Vs Vegetarian Capsules: What's The Difference? is an important question that we have explained about in this blog post. We hope you will now be able to understand what these two types of capsules are along with their ingredients, characteristics, and sources and most importantly how they different from one another. Both gelatin and vegetarian capsules have their own advantages and drawbacks, but it depends upon your preference which make them suitable for you. So, it is advised to opt for the compatible one which again require your understanding. If you are eager to learn more, then visit our website!