COMPOSITION OF SOFT GEL SHELL

The outer covering of the softgel is made of a mixture of Gelatin, glycerine, plasticizer and water. Shell contains about 10-20% of moisture(water) which make it soft and elastic and rapidly soluble in water and release of inner material instantly. Outer shell general ingredients and their ratio is as :-

1. Gelatin(bone derived) 40-50%
2. Glycerine 10-20%
3. Sorbitol 5-10%
4. Water 40-45%

Apart the above ingredients preservatives are added for long time storage without bacterial growth. some of the preservatives used are:-

1. Sodium Benzoate
2. Sodium Methyl paraben
3. Sodium Propyl Paraben
4. Methyl Paraben
5. Propyl Paraben
6. Butylated Hydroxy Anisol(BHA)
7. Butylated Hydroxy Toulene(BHT) etc.

Colors are added to the shell during the manufacturing stage to make attractive feel easy identification and prevent inner material from sunlight and visibility because some materials are not physically attractive and some are light sensitive. the colors used are food colors which are water soluble. colors are used single or in combination to make desired shade some of the colors used in shell coloring are:-

1. Sunset Yellow for Yellow
2. Tatrazine for Yellow
3. Ponceau 4 R for Red
4. Brilliant Blue for Blue
5. Caramel and Black Iron/Current Oxide for Balck
6. Titanium Dioxide for White
7. Carmosine for Pink etc.