Synthesis of alternative hard capsule from carrageenan and starch using glycerol as plasticizer

Capsule is a material used to facilitate drugs for an improved protection and enhanced consumers compliance. Due to several reasons such as related with consumers believe and other personal preferences, alternative materials for capsule manufacturing have been investigated. This research uses carrageenan from seaweed utilizing Indonesia marine resources. The objective of this research is to investigate potency of carrageenan to substitute gelatin as alternative material of hard capsule. Carrageenan was mixed with starch of cassava, using glycerol as plasticizer in various compositions at 70-80?C. As much as 2?g of sodium tri-polyphosphate (STPP) was added as crosslinker agent. The suspensions were molded by using stainless steel dipping pen. Sample analysis showed produced hard capsule was in the range weight of 87 to 105?mg, and dissolution time of minute, which informs potential of this study for further developments.