Feature

Seaweed Vegetable Capsules

Gelatin Capsules

Connectivity

Low connectivity. Low risk of cross-linking reaction. Strong chemical inertia makes it hard to react with aldehyde medicine.

High connectivity. Likely to react with amino acid and aldehyde components, which results in lengthening capsule disintegration or low dissolution.

Moisture-content

Moisture-content lower than 8%. Low risk of hygroscopicity. Suitable for high hygroscopic and water-sensitive medicines, health products (especially Chinese Herbal Medicine dosage forms) and cosmetics. 

Moisture-content as high as 12.5%-17.5%. The filled-in hygroscopic medicine tends to absorb the moisture of capsule shell, resulting in medicine instability and shell brittleness.

Stability

The shelf life is 36 months.  Low storage and transportation requirements. Unlikely to become brittle in low-moisture environment (35%RH, brittleness rate≤2%); unlikely to change shape at high temperature (At 80, the shell change≤1%).

The shelf life is 9-18 months. Need be stored and transported in constant humidity and temperature environment. At high temperature, likely to soften and change shape; likely to become brittle at low temperature; in low humidity likely to dehydrate and harden.

Cultural and Religious Barriers

Non-barrier product. Meet the needs of people from different cultural backgrounds and religious beliefs.

Affected by MuslimsJudaism Hinduism and Vegetarianism. Cannot sell in those countries and regions or to special groups of people. 

Safety

Very safe. No risk of animal-source infectious diseases. No remains of animal hormones, medicines or other poisonous substances.

Unsafe. Potentially risky of spreading animal source epidemics like Mad Cow Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease. Hard to control or trace. High metal indices and hydroxy benzoic ether (a preservative and carcinogen) indices are also on the high side.

Environmental Protection

For all practical purposes and measurements the production process does not create any pollution.  The waste left in production and waste products can be dissolved and recycled.

Manufacturing process pollutes atmosphere and nearby waters, especially during raw material processing.  Amount of re-usable waste product is low.

Raw material

Pure plant fiber. Raw material source is pure and healthy.

Complex sources including skin, bones and ligaments of pigs, cattle, sheep and/or other animals.

Bacteria Resistant

Because the raw materials do not contain protein, the conditions that support bacterial growth do not exist.

Gelatin contains protein and, therefore, is a good medium for bacterial growth.

Added Value

Can promote the capsule contents brand value and lengthen its shelf life.

No room for added value.