Formulation and manufacturing process for coenzyme Q10 soft gel capsules
A soft gelatine capsule formulation for improved manufacturing of Coenzyme Q10, comprising Coenzyme Q10 in a thixatropic gelatine carrier capable of admixing without heating with Coenzyme Q10, and capable of keeping Coenzyme Q10 in suspension at ambient temperature.
1. A soft gel capsule comprising Coenzyme Q10 in combination with an antioxidant in a thixatropic gelatine carrier thereby providing a stable uniform suspension of Coenzyme Q10.
2. The soft gel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the thixatropic gelatine carrier is a semi-solid at a temperature of about 23° C. to about 28° C. and becomes fluid when stirred.
3. The soft gel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the thixatropic gelatine carrier is comprised of:
from about 84% to about 95% vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and cotton seed oil;
from about 1% to about 9% of a viscosity modifier selected from the group consisting of a glyceryl palmito stearate and glyceryl behenate; and
from about 1% to about 15% of a surface active agent comprising polyglyceryl oleate.
4. The soft gel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the amount of Coenzyme Q10 in the soft gel capsule ranges from 8 to 40% by weight.
5. The soft gel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the amounts of the antioxidant in the soft gel capsule ranges from 1 to 10% by weight.
6. The soft gel capsule of claim 1 , wherein the antioxidant is vitamin E.
7. A process of manufacturing a soft gel capsule comprising Coenzyme Q10, said process including:
(a) heating a thixatropic gelatine carrier to a temperature that liquefies the carrier;
(b) blending in a container under vacuum the heated thixatropic gelatine carrier, Coenzyme Q10, and Vitamin E;
(c) cooling the blended mixture to a temperature thereby causing the mixture to be a viscous semi-solid;
(d) mixing the cooled mixture under a nitrogen blanket; and
(e) encapsulating the mixed, cooled mixture in a soft gel capsule.
8. The process of claim 7 , wherein the thixatropic gelatine carrier is comprised of:
from about 84% to about 95% vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and cotton seed oil;
from about 1% to about 9% of a viscosity modifier selected from the group consisting of a glyceryl palmito stearate and glyceryl behenate; and
from about 1% to about 15% of a surface active agent comprising polyglyceryl oleate.
9. The process of claim 7 , wherein the thixatropic gelatin carrier is heated from about 27° C. to about 30° C.
10. The process of claim 7 , wherein 30 to 100 mg of the Coenzyme Q10 and 10 to 100 IU of the Vitamin E are in each capsule.
11. The process of claim 7 , wherein the thixatropic gelatin carrier is cooled from about 23° C. to 28° C.
12. The process of claim 7 , wherein 50 to 500 mg of the thixatropic gelatin carrier is in each capsule.
13. A soft gel capsule, prepared by a process comprising the steps of:
(a) heating a thixatropic gelatine carrier to a temperature that liquefies the carrier;
(b) blending with the heated thixatropic gelatine carrier, Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamin E;
(c) cooling the blended mixture to a temperature, thereby causing the mixture to form a viscous semi-solid; and
(e) encapsulating the mixed, cooled mixture in a soft gel capsule.
14. The soft gel capsule prepared by the process of claim 13 , wherein the thixatropic gelatine carrier is comprised of:
from about 84% to about 95% vegetable oil selected from the group consisting of soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, and cotton seed oil;
from about 1% to about 9% of a viscosity modifier selected from the group consisting of a glyceryl palmito stearate and glyceryl behenate; and
from about 1% to about 15% of a surface active agent comprising polyglyceryl oleate.
15. The soft gel capsule prepared by the process of claim 13 , wherein the thixatropic gelatin carrier is heated from about 27° C. to about 30° C.
16. The soft gel capsule prepared by the process of claim 13 , wherein 30 to 100 mg of the Coenzyme Q10 and 10 to 100 IU of the Vitamin E are in each capsule.
17. The soft gel capsule prepared by the process of claim 13 , wherein the thixatropic gelatin carrier is cooled from about 23° C. to 28° C.
18. The soft gel capsule prepared by the process of claim 13 , wherein 50 to 500 mg of the thixatropic gelatin carrier is in each capsule.