Cellulose capsules

C, powder encased in a cellulose capsule ECMS, enteric-coated microspheres encased in a cellulose or gelatin capsule ECMT, enteric-coated microtablets encased in a cellulose capsule UCT, uncoated tablet P, powder. 

Nagata, S. Cellulose capsules—An alternative to gelatin Structural, functional and community aspects. Biomed. Polym. Polym. Ther. 2001, 3, 53-62. 

Infrared spectroscopy has been extensively used in both qualitative and quantitative pharmaceutical analysis [1-3], This technique is important for the evaluation of the raw materials used in production, the active ingredients and the excipients (the inert ingredients in a drug formulation, e.g. lactose powder, hydroxypropyl cellulose capsules, etc.). Although nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the identification of drug substances, infrared spectroscopy can provide valuable additional structural information, such as the presence of certain functional groups. 

Biomedical Polymers and Polymer Therapeutics. Dordrecht, Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001, Part 1, Chapter 5, p.53-63, 25cm, 6S CELLULOSE CAPSULES - AN ALTERNATIVE TO GELATIN Nagata S... 

Place one scoop of anhydrous sodium carbonate in the bottom half of a methyl cellulose capsule. Weigh a sample of not more than 32 mg, estimated to contain between 0.001 and 0.06 mg phosphorus, directly onto the sodium carbonate bed. Cover the sample with another scoop of sodium carbonate. Insert a filter paper fuse between the top and bottom halves of the capsule after making a small slit in the top half to give the clearance required. Secure the capsule in the platinum gauze with the wick towards the stopper. 

Methyl cellulose capsules - No. 4 small, Arthur H Thomas Co. Catalogue No. 6471-0. 

Ultimately we came up with cellulose capsules which do not contain components of animal origin. 

The cellulose capsules can be manufactured by the dipping and forming method, employed for the manufacture of hard gelatin capsules. Shaped pins are dipped into HPMC solution of which temperature is maintained over room temperature. The pins are picked up from HPMC solution, cooled at room temperature, and dried by a warm air blow. HPMC base adhered to the pins gelled immediately to form the shape of capsule because carrageenan, a gelling agent, was added. 

The typical pattern of the viscosity of HPMC solution against temperature is shown in Figure 2. HPMC is soluble in water below about 30°C but is not dissolved at higher temperature. The viscosity of HPMC has the shape of convexity when temperature falls from about 60°C. When the temperature of HPMC solution increased from about 30 to 40°C, the viscosity scarcely changed. Since the desirable viscosity of the base to manufacture capsules by the dipping method is about 4000 to 8000 mPas, cellulose capsules are manufactured using HPMC solution at 40 to 50°C. 

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