Technicolour liquid supplements from Capsugel

The Pfizer-owned liquid capsule manufacturer has said a pigment can be used to alter the colour of the liquid capsule making them more "eye-catching."

This introduction builds on Capsugel's January launch of pearled capsules for dry power-fill applications, which has been seeing success in the sports nutrition market.

The pearl colour is achieved through a light-reflected pigment, called Candurin, instead of colorants, which is a crucial development for formulators who wish to keep their labels as clean as possible.

They can be available in range of colours including bronze, silver and gold.

Candurin has been approved for use in a number of food categories in the EU since 2003.

Last year Merck was given the go-ahead for its use at levels of upto 1.25 per cent of final product weight in cereals, confections and frostings.

Capsugel's director of sales Robert Whitelaw said: " The success of both the pearl-effect capsules and Capsugel's proprietary Licaps liquid delivery system made for an ideal product extension.

"This aesthetic and eye-catching pearled effect can add sophistication to Licaps brand products.

It helps make visually bland formulations more attractive.

The use of shiny or metallic colours can fashion distinctive appearances to differentiate brands."

The pearled effect is not simply an added colouring, but results from the combination of the capsule shell material with a light-reflecting pigment.

The Licap capsules achieve their colour through making use of the pigment Candurin, was approved for use in food and supplements by the Federal Drug Administration last year.

The pigment is composed of natural mica and titanium dioxide.

Candurin can be used alone to produce a pearl white capsule, but can also be mixed with other approved dyes to create a palette of pearled colours of pink, green, turquoise, purple, powder blue, orange, charcoal, as well as various two-colour combinations.

In addition, it can be formulated into metallic colours previously unavailable in capsules, such as bronze, silver, and gold.

Whitelaw added that the Licaps brand is well known for its distinctive technology that can help preserve the potency of oxygen-sensitive liquid fills.

After a capsule is filled with liquid, it is flushed with nitrogen to purge oxygen from the final sealed product.

The firm added that the pearl effect capsules launched earlier this year have been "well received" in the oral and sports nutrition markets.

Whitelaw said: "The pearlescent look can complement and capitalize on the trend toward 'beauty from within' in both market segments.

Shiny, iridescent packaging and displays are in vogue, and now the product itself can look as distinctive."