Gelatin in pharma

What is gelatin?

Gelatin is a natural protein that is derived from collagen, which is found in the skin, bones, and connective tissues of certain animals (these are typically pigs or cows). It is obtained through the controlled and partial hydrolysis of collagen from upcycled animal materials. The collagen itself is a fibrous protein that is composed of three intertwined polypeptide chains. In vivo, collagen is generally white and opaque, with unbranched fibrils that are embedded in a matrix of mucopolysaccharides and other proteins.
The composition of gelatin is determined by the amino acid sequence of its collagen source. When derived from type I collagen, the gelatin consists of a sequence of amino acids. Due to its size and structure, gelatin has the ability to produce films and thermoreversible gels.

What is so unique about gelatin in pharma?

Lab assistant doing a research with microscope

Gelatin is a natural, water-soluble protein that is transparent, tasteless, odorless, and colorless. Therefore, it is among the most widely used ingredients in pharmaceutical and medical applications, and there is a good reason for this: gelatin is almost universally tolerated, it displays very useful elasticity and clarity features, it melts at body temperature, and it is thermoreversible. Gelatin is also used as a binder or coating for tablets. In medical devices, gelatin provides excellent cell compatibility and minimal immunogenicity.

How do the benefits of gelatin meet pharma production needs?

When used in capsules, gelatin provides an effective means of protecting the filling from environmental factors, thereby preserving the stability and efficacy of the medicine or supplement. Gelatin also meets the viscosity requirements for film formation in capsule production. It is available in a wide range of viscosities, which means tailor-made solutions based on the specific process requirements can be offered to the capsule producers.

Moreover, the thermoreversability of gelatin plays an important role in the production process of gelatin capsules. Thanks to this unique property:

Soft gelatin capsules can be effectively sealed after being filled with an active ingredient.
In case of any deviations during hard capsule production, the thermoreversability of gelatin allows for in-process adjustments.

An additional benefit of gelatin is its ability to function across a broad pH range without the need for salts, ions, or additives. This means it is especially valuable in soft and hard capsule production, enteric drug delivery, and injectable formulations.

The excellent moisture absorption capacity of gelatin makes it also perfectly suitable for medical applications such as ostomy patches, hemostatic sponges, wound healing products etc...

On top of all these benefits, the versatility of gelatin also means it is well-placed to help pharmaceutical manufacturers cater to the personalization trend as well as meet the requirements of aging populations.

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