Investigation on the comparison of mixing process using homogeniser and mechanical stirrrer for carrageenan-based hard capsule / Nurul Asyikin Farzana Binti Mohd Amin

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Technology (Hons) ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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This research investigates the impact of mixing methods, mechanical stirring and homogenization. on the properties of carrageenan-based hard capsules. κ-Carrageenan, a plant-based polymer with exceptional gelling properties, was utilized as the primary material. Variables such as mixing time which varies at 3 hours to 5 hours and a constant temperature (65°C) were evaluated. Comparative analysis revealed that the homogenizer significantly outperformed the mechanical stirrer in terms of capsule tensile strength, elongation at break, and loop strength. At 5 hours of mixing, capsules prepared using the homogenizer exhibited superior results, achieving a tensile strength of 30.39 MPa, elongation at break of 28.47%, and a loop strength of 54.66 N, compared to the mechanical stirrer, which achieved 26.27 MPa, 18.07%, and 34.08 N, respectively. The homogenizer's high-shear forces facilitated finer particle dispersion, enhanced molecular interactions, and a more cohesive gel network, resulting in improved capsule mechanical integrity and surface uniformity. These results underscore the importance of selecting appropriate mixing techniques and conditions for optimizing capsule performance. Mechanical stirring, while effective for simpler formulations, was found to be less capable of achieving uniformity and mechanical strength in carrageenan-based systems. This study emphasizes the potential of homogenization as a superior technique for producing high-quality, plant-based hard capsules, addressing industry challenges in achieving consistent product properties. The findings have significant implications for pharmaceutical applications, particularly in the development of robust, plant-based alternatives to traditional gelatin capsules.