Abstract: Disclosed in certain embodiments is a softgel composition comprising a fill material encapsulated in a shell composition. The shell composition having a non-animal derived gelling agent and a water soluble polymer. The shell composition completely dissolving in less than 30 minutes when subject to a dissolution with a USP Apparatus II with paddies at 75 RPM in 900 ml of 0.1N HCL and deionized water at 37 degrees C.

Abstract: A film-forming hydrocolloid composition comprising kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, a bulking agent, plasticizer and water is described. The ratio of bulking agent to total carrageenan is from about 1:1 to 20:1. Kappa carrageenan is present in an amount of less than or equal to 50% by weight of total carrageenan present. To form the composition, all dry materials are mixed and added to a heated mixture of all liquid materials. The final mixture is heated until a composition free of particulate materials is formed. The formed composition can be cast or extruded into ribbons, films, sheets, tubes or the like, for encapsulating wet or dry materials including medicinal dosage forms, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, bath oils and gels, and paint balls.

Abstract: A film-forming hydrocolloid composition comprising kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, a bulking agent, plasticizer and water is described. The ratio of bulking agent to total carrageenan is from about 1:1 to 20:1. Kappa carrageenan is present in an amount of less than or equal to 50% by weight of total carrageenan present. To form the composition, all dry materials are mixed and added to a heated mixture of all liquid materials. The final mixture is heated until a composition free of particulate materials is formed. The formed composition can be cast or extruded into ribbons, films, sheets, tubes or the like, for encapsulating wet or dry materials including medicinal dosage forms, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, bath oils and gels, and paint balls.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for coloring gelatin-based formulations involving adding a saturated fatty acid to the gelatin-based formulation along with lake pigment, whereby the saturated fatty acid is added in an amount so as to prevent cross-linking between the gelatin-based formulations and the aluminum cations released by the lake pigments. Preferably, this amount is about 10% to about 300% by weight of the added lake pigment content. With this process, the resulting colored gelatin exhibits acceptable machineability characteristics and disintegration. As an example, the colored gelatin produced by this process has a viscosity of less than approximately 10,000 cP at about 60° C. Additionally, the present invention is a gelatin-based formulation made from the above-described process. The gelatin-based formulation includes gelatin, lake pigment(s), and a sufficient amount of fatty acid to prevent cross-linking between the gelatin and the cations released from the lake pigment(s).

Abstract: A film-forming hydrocolloid composition comprising kappa carrageenan, iota carrageenan, a bulking agent, plasticizer and water is described. The ratio of bulking agent to total carrageenan is from about 1:1 to 20:1. Kappa carrageenan is present in an amount of less than or equal to 50% by weight of total carrageenan present. To form the composition, all dry materials are mixed and added to a heated mixture of all liquid materials. The final mixture is heated until a composition free of particulate materials is formed. The formed composition can be cast or extruded into ribbons, films, sheets, tubes or the like, for encapsulating wet or dry materials including medicinal dosage forms, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, bath oils and gels, and paint balls.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a process for manufacturing gelatin including cleaning a fowl-based source of collagen; subjecting the fowl-based source of collagen to at least one water extraction to extract gelatin from the collagen source; and separating the gelatin from any resulting by-products, wherein the process does not require an initial acid or lime pretreatment step. The present invention also includes a product made from this process.

Abstract: Gelatin-free capsule for use in oral administration of medicines, cosmetic or bath applications, or dietary supplements can be prepared from compositions comprising a) 8-50% by weight of water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer, b) 0.5 to 12% by weight &kgr;-carrageenan, c) 0 to 60% dextrins, and d) 1% to 95% by weight water, with the &kgr;-carrageenan comprising at least 50% by weight of all gums forming or contributing to formation of thermoreversible gels in the composition. A capsule for oral administration or cosmetic application may comprise a fill material to be administered to a patient or subject and a capsule, the capsule comprising an aqueous based film comprising a) water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer, and b) carrageenan, with the carrageenan comprising at least 50% or 75% by weight of &kgr;-carrageenan, and the carrageenan comprising at least 50% or 75% by weight of all gums which form or contribute to the formation of thermoreversible gels.

Abstract: A soft-gelatin, extended gelatin composition has been found, which composition comprises a non-brittle shell forming material. The wet composition comprises: a) 30-60% by weight of a film-forming material b) 5-35% by weight of a water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer c) 25-65% by weight purified water wherein the film-forming material comprises gelatin and gum acacia, with gum acacia accounting for 0.5-50% by weight of the total amount of the film-forming material, a dried film having 3-12% by weight of water formed from said composition having no reduced elasticity as compared to a film having the same proportions of the same water-dispersible or water-soluble plasticizer to the total weight of only gelatin film-forming material.