Development of HPMC-Based Hard Capsules with Rapid Disintegration Across Simulated Gastrointestinal pH Conditions: Formulation Design, Process Optimization, and Disintegration Mechanism of the HPMC/GG/ι-C Ternary System.

Yuting Dong¹, Songlin Ye², Xiaojun Hong³, Yafang Shi⁴, Youcheng Liu², Xueqin Zhang¹, Jing Ye¹, Meitian Xiao¹

¹College of Chemical Engineering, Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.

²Anhui Huangshan Capsule Co., Ltd., Xuancheng 242600, China.

³Fujian Green Power Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Zhangzhou 363100, China.

⁴Instrumental Analysis Center of Huaqiao University, Xiamen 361021, China.

PubMed PMC DOI PDF

Abstract

While hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a promising plant-based alternative to gelatin, its industrial application is limited by poor mechanical properties and high production costs. In this study, high-performance HPMC-based hard capsules were developed using an HPMC/gellan gum/ι-carrageenan ternary system. The formulation and preparation process were optimized via single-factor experiments…

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Mentioned Companies

Capsule
affiliation

Other Funding

Fujian Provincial Department of Science and Technology(2024Y4007)
Fujian Fisheries Research Institute(FJHYF-L-2025-29)
Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology(3502Z20251001)
National Natural Science Foundation of China(22078120)

MeSH Terms

Hypromellose Derivatives*Hydrogen-Ion Concentration0Capsules0Polysaccharides, Bacterial*Carrageenan*Drug Compounding0Chemistry, Pharmaceutical0Drug Liberation0Solubility0

Keywords

gellan gumhard capsuleshydroxypropyl methylcelluloseι-carrageenan

Article Info

PMID: 42188297
PMCID: PMC13208135
DOI: 10.3390/md24050162
Received: March 8, 2026
Accepted: April 28, 2026

How to Cite

Dong Y et al. Development of HPMC-Based Hard Capsules with Rapid Disintegration Across Simulated Gastrointestinal pH Conditions: Formulation Design, Process Optimization, and Disintegration Mechanism of the HPMC/GG/ι-C Ternary System. Mar Drugs2026;24(5) doi:10.3390/md24050162

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