Blog Posts

Lactoferrin can undergo gastric digestion, but published studies show variable survival. Learn when delayed-release capsules may be relevant and when they may not be necessary.

Serrapeptase is often sold in protected dosage forms. See what enteric-coating research shows and how DRcaps® delayed-release capsules differ for compatible dry fills.

Research shows nattokinase activity can be affected by gastric conditions. Learn what enteric protection studies show and where DRcaps® delayed-release capsules may fit for compatible dry fills.

BB-12® has documented acid and bile tolerance. See when a delayed-release capsule may still be useful for DIY probiotic filling and what DRcaps® can and cannot do.

Does LGG® survive stomach acid? Learn when delayed-release capsules may be relevant, what they cannot guarantee, and how DRcaps® differs from enteric-coated capsules.

A customer asked about using DRcaps® for SIBO medication. Learn what SIBO is, why delayed-release capsules are considered, and why medicines should not be re-encapsulated without professional advice.

Customers often ask whether the same capsule filling machine can handle both HPMC vegetarian capsules and gelatin capsules. In many cases the more important question is whether the capsule size and machine dimensions match correctly. HPMC and gelatin are different shell materials Gelatin capsules are animal-derived, while HPMC capsules are plant-based. Their handling characteristics can …

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The best capsule filling machine depends less on the word “professional” and more on your batch size, capsule size and workflow. Manual capsule filling machines Manual machines are useful for small batches, development work, personal use and businesses that do not need continuous high-volume production. They are relatively simple to operate and are available in …

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Usually, one fixed-size capsule filling machine cannot be used for every capsule size. This is because Size 000, 00, 0, 1, 2 and 3 capsules have different diameters and lengths. Why are filling machines size-specific? A capsule machine holds and aligns capsule bodies and caps in precisely sized openings. If the openings are too large, …

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If a capsule filling machine is crushing, bending or failing to close capsules, the capsules themselves are not necessarily the problem. Start by checking machine size, alignment and operating pressure. 1. The machine and capsule sizes do not match This is one of the first things to check. A machine designed for Size 3 capsules …

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Choosing a capsule filling machine starts with one rule that is easy to miss: the machine must match the capsule size. A Size 0 machine is designed for Size 0 capsules; it is not a universal machine for every capsule size. Why capsule size matters Empty capsules differ in diameter and length. The holes, alignment …

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Looking for empty enteric capsules? Learn how conventional enteric-coated capsules differ from DRcaps® delayed-release acid-resistant HPMC capsules for compatible dry fills.

People filling digestive enzyme powders often ask whether a normal capsule is enough or whether delayed release is preferable. The answer depends on the enzyme and the intended formulation. Are digestive enzymes affected by stomach conditions? Different enzymes have different stability and activity profiles. Acidic conditions can affect some enzymes more than others, while other …

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One of the most common questions about probiotics is simple: what happens to them in stomach acid? Can probiotics survive stomach acid? Survival varies by microorganism, strain, formulation, dose and exposure conditions. Some probiotic strains tolerate acidic conditions better than others, so there is no single answer that applies to every probiotic product. For strain-specific …

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Not all vegetarian capsules behave in the same way after swallowing. Standard HPMC capsules are designed to open normally, while delayed-release capsules are designed to resist opening for longer under acidic conditions. Standard HPMC vs delayed release Standard HPMC capsules are a popular plant-based alternative to gelatin and are suitable for many powders. Delayed-release HPMC …

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Yes. A fully closed Size 0 capsule can fit inside a Size 000 capsule. Compare the dimensions, understand double encapsulation, and check filling-machine compatibility before ordering.

Do probiotics leave you feeling bloated? Learn why gas and bloating can happen after starting probiotics, what may be contributing, and where capsule delivery fits into the picture.

A customer asked us a simple question: how do you fill an empty capsule? Here is the easiest way to fill capsules by hand, choose the right size and know when a capsule filling machine is useful.

Some capsule shells contain colourings, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or other excipients. Here is what to check and when a clear or TiO₂-free empty capsule may be an option.

What Capsule Size for 500 mg? There is no single capsule size that always holds 500 mg. Capsule size is determined by volume, while 500 mg is a weight. Two powders weighing 500 mg can occupy very different volumes. Convert weight and density into volume The basic relationship is: required volume (mL) = target weight …

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Size 00 vs Size 0 Capsules Size 00 and Size 0 are among the most commonly considered empty capsule sizes. Size 00 provides more internal volume; Size 0 is physically smaller. Capacity comparison Approximate volume is 0.95 mL for Size 00 and 0.68 mL for Size 0. Our general reference ranges are approximately 600–1100 mg …

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Size 000 vs Size 00 Capsules Size 000 and Size 00 are two of the larger standard empty capsule sizes. The right choice depends primarily on the volume of your formulation and its bulk density, not on milligram weight alone. Capacity comparison Size 000 has an approximate volume of 1.37 mL, while Size 00 is …

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Size 5 Empty Capsule Guide: Capacity, Dimensions & Uses Size 5 is the smallest standard human capsule size in the Pure Capsules® range. It is useful when the formulation volume is very small or when a compact capsule is preferred. How much does a Size 5 capsule hold? Approximate internal volume is 0.13 mL. Using …

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Compare standard plant-based HPMC capsules with DRcaps® delayed-release capsules for dry probiotic powders. See when delayed release may matter—and when it may not.

Short answer: Yes, delivery format can matter—but there is no rule that every probiotic powder is inferior to every capsule. Survival depends on the strain, formulation, storage and gastrointestinal conditions. In a 2024 simulated gastrointestinal study, a delayed-release capsule formulation had substantially higher survival than the powder, liquid and standard-capsule formulations tested. Other studies have …

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Short answer: A multi-strain probiotic does not behave as one organism. Different strains can have very different tolerance to acid, bile, oxygen, storage and processing. More strains therefore does not automatically mean better gastric survival. Does stomach acid affect every probiotic strain equally? No. Laboratory comparisons show substantial differences between probiotic taxa and strains. Some …

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Short answer: Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis is one of the more acid-tolerant Bifidobacterium groups studied, but gastric survival still varies with strain, formulation and test conditions. Delivery format can therefore remain relevant even for comparatively robust strains. For a strain-specific example, read our BB-12® and stomach acid guide. Is B. lactis resistant to stomach acid? …

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Some L. reuteri strains tolerate stomach acid better than others. See what strain differences mean and when delayed-release DRcaps® may be relevant for dry probiotic powders.

Short answer: Lactobacillus plantarum can survive gastrointestinal transit, but survival is strain- and formulation-dependent. Human research on L. plantarum 299v shows that this strain can pass through the gastrointestinal tract, while broader probiotic research shows that acidic gastric conditions can substantially reduce viability in some strains. Capsule and delivery format therefore matter when the goal …

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Can probiotics upset your stomach? Yes. Although many people take probiotics without problems, some report temporary bloating, gas, nausea, cramps or stomach discomfort. Others report the opposite and find that a particular probiotic improves their digestive comfort. The response can vary with the strain, dose, formulation, other ingredients and the individual. Why can probiotics cause …

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Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium breve are common probiotic species. Learn why gastric exposure matters and where delayed-release capsules may fit.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is common in probiotic powders and capsules. We look at stomach-acid exposure, delayed-release research and what to consider when choosing an empty capsule.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is widely used in probiotic products, but survival through the stomach depends on the strain, formulation and how it is delivered. Here is what that means when choosing a capsule.

Size 4 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.21 mL, typical fill range 120–240 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 3 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.30 mL, typical fill range 150–300 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 2 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.37 mL, typical fill range 200–400 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 1 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.50 mL, typical fill range 300–500 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 0 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.68 mL, typical fill range 400–800 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 00 empty capsule guide with approximate volume ~0.95 mL, typical fill range 600–1100 mg, comparison tips and links to the full capsule size chart.

Size 000 capsules are approximately 26.1 mm long with about 1.37 mL volume and a typical 800–1600 mg guide fill range. Compare dimensions, capacity and uses.

This capsule sizes chart compares standard empty capsule sizes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 by dimensions, volume and approximate fill weight. Size 000 is the largest standard human capsule in our range and size 5 is the smallest. Capsule capacity is determined by volume and powder bulk density, so the same …

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Licaps® are premium hard capsules developed by Lonza (formerly Capsugel) specifically for filling oil-based and non-aqueous liquid formulations. Unlike standard hard capsules designed primarily for powders, Licaps® are engineered for lipid-based formulations and provide an excellent solution for encapsulating oils and other compatible non-aqueous liquids. Licaps® are NOT designed for water-based liquids. What Can Be …

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A cat owner describes the practical difficulty of giving a large Lypex capsule and using smaller empty DRcaps® shells. Important veterinary guidance, capsule-size considerations and delayed-release limitations are explained.

Compare gelatin, HPMC vegetarian, pullulan, DRcaps® delayed-release and Licaps® capsules. Learn which shell is suited to powders, delayed release, plant-based formulas and compatible oil-based liquids.

What are pullulan capsules? Learn about their fermentation-derived shell material, vegan suitability, oxygen-barrier properties, common uses, and how pullulan compares with HPMC and gelatin capsules.

Do probiotics survive stomach acid? Survival varies by strain and formulation. Learn how stomach acidity affects probiotics, when delayed-release DRcaps® may be useful, and how to choose an empty capsule for probiotic powder.

Is titanium dioxide (E171) allowed in capsule shells? The answer differs between Great Britain and the EU. This guide explains TiO₂ in white capsules, food-supplement rules and TiO₂-free alternatives.

A practical guide to empty capsules for cats and dogs, including small capsule sizes, gelatin and vegetarian shells, filling dry powders, and why medication changes should be checked with a veterinarian.