In Vitro Dissolution Evidence for Delivering Multiple Vitamin-Mineral Ingredients past the Stomach by Novel Capsule Delivery System (P24-009-19)

The ability of a novel beadlet-in-oil, gastric-resistant, vegetarian capsule containing a multiple vitamin-mineral (MVM) composition to deliver capsule contents past the stomach was tested by standard in vitro tablet disintegration procedures using magnesium as the marker of capsule contents dissolution. A novel capsule design using a gastric-resistant vegetarian hypromellose/gellan gum capsule (DRcaps®, Capsugel®) was tested for disintegration in a standard tablet disintegration apparatus according to compendial United States Pharmacopeia methods, as per Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary supplements. The MVM ingredients were encapsulated into size 0 Vcaps® (hypromellose with no gastric acid resistance) and DRcaps®. Individual capsules were placed into chambers containing simulated gastric fluid (0.1 M HCl) for 120 minutes then changed to simulated intestinal fluid (buffered 2% sodium lauryl sulfate, pH 6.0) for an additional 300 minutes. Aliquots were tested for magnesium concentration at ten time points by atomic absorption spectrometry. Magnesium was contained inside coated beadlets along with ferrous bisglycinate, methylcobalamin, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, calcium fructoborate and cellulose. Vcaps® released 50% of the magnesium between 30–45 minutes and all by 60 minutes in the acid phase. DRcaps® released 25% of the magnesium at 45 minutes, and 43% at 120 minutes, followed by slow, steady release of the remaining magnesium by 420 minutes. These dissolution profiles reproduce the known, rapid disintegration profile of Vcaps® when wetted. DRcaps® released the majority of their contents after the pH was changed to intestinal conditions, and then the beadlets released the water-soluble ingredients (magnesium) in a linear manner over a two hour period. Since normal stomach emptying of DRcaps® without a meal is less than 20–30 minutes (previously shown), DRcap® MVMs bypass the stomach almost completely to release ingredients in the small intestine. Thus, a novel, beadlet-in-oil, gastric-resistant capsule delivered its contents past the stomach. These properties have the ability to improve tolerability and thus, compliance with users. Capsugel®, Greenwood, SC, conducted this study for Ritual.