From Lab to Shelf: Capsule Formulations

Capsule formulations play a crucial role in pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, and various industries where precise dosing is essential. These formulations involve encapsulating active ingredients within a shell, usually made of gelatine or other suitable materials, to ensure accurate dosage delivery and stability. 

The scientific concept underlying capsule formulations lies in the principles of pharmaceutical technology, which encompasses drug development, formulation, manufacturing, and delivery. This involves understanding the physicochemical properties of the active ingredients, the behaviour of the encapsulating materials, and the interactions between them to achieve desired outcomes such as controlled release, improved bioavailability, and stability.  

The activity will focus on the formulation part of the encapsulation process with explanation on the stages involved in the manufacturing capsule formulations. The educational kits will be used to simulate the capsule filling machine typically found in R&D and manufacture setting. The participant will use capsules and coloured flour (representing herbs) to create capsules using a manual capsule filling machine. This hands-on approach enables participants to grasp the complex process of capsule formulation. To replicate the experience authentically, common food-grade ingredients found in households will replace pharmaceutical ingredients in the capsule formulations. 

Activities related to capsule formulations offer a fun and educational way for kids to understand how medicines are developed, formulated, and delivered, which may inspire future interests and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.