Softgel capsules are an unbeatable way to deliver active ingredients – compact, easy to swallow and effective. But there is a catch, as they can be threatened by a condition known as crosslinking. This natural reaction can reduce solubility and impact performance, threatening reliability and quality of end products. Fortunately, however, our RXL® family is a portfolio of solutions that ensure your softgels remain stable, regardless of storage conditions or fill components. But how do you know which RXL® variant is designed to best meet your needs? Let’s find out…
One Portfolio, Several Solutions
Selecting the most appropriate RXL® solution depends on your product’s formulation and its associated challenges. Here, a key factor is fill composition. Ingredients such as esters or acetals have a low crosslinking activity and are therefore less likely to cause issues, whereas highly reactive components such as polyphenols and triphenols, commonly found in botanical extracts, are much more likely to interact with the gelatin shell. Additionally, storage in hot and humid environments, and shell composition, can further accelerate crosslinking, making stability even more critical.
To address these challenges, the RXL® range offers a collection of specialized gelatins designed to prevent softgel capsules from crosslinking. RXL® Prime, Advanced and Pro are made from pure gelatin with small amounts of super-hydrolysate to provide different levels of crosslinking protection. For the most challenging fills, such as highly reactive botanical extracts, our latest addition, RXL® Ultra, offers an effective solution. The modified gelatin incorporates succinic acid to mask and block reactive amino groups, delivering maximum anti-crosslinking capacity and optimal softgel stability.
Guidance From the GPI Experts
Testing small batches of softgels with different grades of RXL® is the best way to discover which option delivers optimal stability and performance for your product. Additionally, local regulations may affect your choice of raw materials – be they bovine hide, bovine bone or porcine skin – based on market compliance requirements. But it’s good to know that you don’t have to navigate this alone, as the GELITA Pharma Institute (GPI) is here to help. Drawing on extensive in-house testing with the RXL® range and standard gelatin, our team has developed in-depth expertise in softgel composition, fill reactions and regulatory requirements. This wealth of experience provides a thorough understanding of how our products perform and allows us to deliver expert guidance in selecting the best RXL® solution for your product, thus ensuring long-term stability and performance even under challenging conditions.
Curious to learn more? Check out our new e-book on GELITA’s RXL® family and don’t hesitate to contact our GPI experts to discover how to take your softgels to the next level.
