Carrageenan, a natural gum extracted from locally abundant seaweeds, has been long used by the industry due to its variety of uses. Used as a stabilizer for toothpaste, ice cream, and other food products, the Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), again added to the long list of carrageenan’s uses.
Using a simple manufacturing process utilizing carrageenan from red seaweed, hard-shell capsules as soluble container for drug substances were produced. This innovation makes use of carrageenan as a substitute for imported gelatin capsules derived from animal protein, plant polsaccharides, or their starch derivatives.
Comparable to animal-based gelatin capsules, this technology allows the use of indigenous and plant-based raw materials, making it suitable for vegetarians. Eventually, this technology also aims to reduce the importation of animal-based gel capsules.
Know more about the Hard Carrageenan Capsule by visiting the Health Cluster. It is one of 21 ITDI-developed technologies selected to be featured in Cluster 2 – Aging Society, Health, and Medical Care of the 2019 National S&T Week (NSTW) Exhibits slated on July 17-21, 2019 at the World Trade Center-Metro Manila. Admission to the exhibits is FREE. It is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
NSTW is celebrated every third week of July through Proclamation No. 169 of 1993 to highlight significant contributions of S&T to national development. (AMGuevarra and MVAtienza \\ ITDI S&T Media Service)
