Halal Vegetarian Capsule

Written by Dr Pushpamalar Janarthanan, School of Science

The Halal Vegetarian capsule is a plant-sourced alternative capsule that prevents most commercially available gelatine capsules of bovine origin. The bovine origin risks transmitting bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) via capsules. The capsule targets specific consumers who observe dietary laws that forbid certain animal products such as vegetarians, religious or ethnic groups (Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others). The self-aware people of health and well-being drive the overall growth of the empty capsules market in the Asia Pacific. They are more aware of the animal-based capsules and demands for plant-based capsules, which encourage companies to look for alternative sources to make capsules. Thus, using plant biomass to produce the vegetarian capsules increases health supplements of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals and reduces production costs.

Zion Market Research reported that the global vegetarian capsules market would generate around USD 509.13 million by the end of 2022. The significant factors include expanding pharmaceutical industries in this region and government initiatives to develop the healthcare infrastructure, including the pharmaceutical manufacturing industries. The government initiative is to develop the healthcare industry. Hence, the packaging of nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals products are in healthy and environment-friendly capsule forms. Consumers prefer a fast disintegrating capsule shell material for a quicker absorption rate without taste and odour, ensuring consumer compliance.

Globally, the existing technology uses gelatine and other polysaccharides. In Malaysia, the abundance of sago waste could lead to carboxymethyl sago cellulose (CMSC) capsules at a cheaper cost. It is promising for Halal, vegetarian sourced, and disease-free vegetarian capsules. Currently, the product is at TR Level 5 - Stage of Product Development - Validation in the natural environment. The next step is to demonstrate technology in the appropriate environment. Funding for the research was from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS). Monash University Malaysia provided the facilities for the analysis of the vegetarian capsule. Meanwhile, the formulations derived from Malaysian industrial waste: less cost, less environmental pollution, recycling and sustaining energy.

The product also won a Bronze medal in Malaysia's 32nd International Invention, Innovation & Technology Exhibition (ITEX 2021).