Chemistry Question #1395

Jefrey, a 38 year old male from KL asks on April 16, 2003,

What is the purpose of polyvinylpyrrolidone in the making of hard capsule gelatin. What is the grade/spec used and where is it derive from? Who is the manufacturer and what is the market rate of this chemical?

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The answer

Barry Shell answered on April 16, 2003

Polyvinylpyrrolidone is a vinyl polymer that is soluble in water. It is also inert and not absorbed by the body. This is probably why it is used in the making of hard capsules. You can find out more at the link from The School of Polymers and High Performance Materials at the University of Southern Mississippi. For grades and specs and prices, go to www.google.com and do a search. You will find many manufacturers. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is made by joining lots of vinylpyrrlolidone molecules together into a long chain. This is also explained at the link above.

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