Title of Process/ Know-how/ Product/Design/Equipment
Preparation of capsule shells from seaweed phycocolloids
Application/Uses/Problem being addressed
It is a substitute of gelatin capsule shells, and could be used in wider areas including food, pharmaceutical, biological applications, etc.
Salient Technical Features including Competing Features/ Impact
Due to the well-established multiple problems associated with currently used gelatin-based capsule shells, there is a global demand for the technology on biocompatible, non-gelatin, and veg capsule shells. Further, due to the outbreak of ‘mad cow disease’ in Europe in 1992, gelatin, the main ingredient of edible capsule shells was removed from GRAS category of FDA. To address the issue and to develop non-animal gelatin capsule shells, CSIR-CSMCRI has developed a technology to produce these items from phycocolloids. Further, the capsule shells can be used by pharmaceutical companies for making capsules of non-animal gelatin source. The physicochemical properties of the capsule shells are at par to that of their gelatin counterparts
TRL Level & Scale of Development:
(Laboratory scale production of 100 capsule/batch)
Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.):
In the world, most of the pharmaceutical industries are using gelatin based capsule shells for filling/packing the active drug ingredients. These gelatin capsule shells have several health issues as mentioned above. Hence, this technology developed by CSIR-CSMCRI has huge business scope & opportunity in future.
Environmental Considerations:
Process is almost zero liquid discharge
Status of Licensing:
Not yet licensedStatus of Commercialization:
Not applicableMajor Raw Materials Needed
Refined kappa carrageenan and alginates
Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required
Boiler, Closed Jacketed Vessel, capsule making machines, dryer for capsule shells are the major requirement for agar plant
Techno-Economics
Raw material: ₹250 to 450 /kg
Capsule shell cost: ₹0.02 to 0.04 / capsule shell
Technology Package
Demonstration of preparation of capsule shells by mold casting method @ 60 capsule/batch; Technology transfer document (TTD) having information on product specification, competition, market, details of equipment required for pilot level installation etc. along with demonstration certificate will be provided; Technical support till 6 months after know-how licensing; Appropriate discount in license fee for small scale industries/startup will be provided. Know-how licensing fee details will be provided on request
