Advanced Licap Technology
Revolutionize your supplements with Liquid-Filled Hard Capsules (Licaps) - our cutting-edge technology that enhances bioavailability, protects sensitive ingredients, and provides superior stability for both liquid and semi-solid (pastes) formulations.
Innovative Licap Technology
Licaps are a unique form of encapsulation that contains liquid ingredients within a hard-shell capsule. This method is highly popular in dietary supplements due to its advantages in protecting sensitive ingredients and providing accurate dosages.
The Licap technology is a revolutionary advancement in capsule manufacturing that allows for the encapsulation of liquid or semi-solid formulations within a hermetically sealed hard capsule. This innovative approach addresses many of the limitations of traditional capsules and tablets, offering enhanced bioavailability, stability, and user experience.
At Med Care Factory, we've mastered this advanced technology to deliver superior dietary supplements that maximize efficacy and consumer satisfaction. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with specialized equipment for Licap production, ensuring consistent quality and precision in every batch.
Key Benefits
Why Licap technology is revolutionizing dietary supplements
Enhanced Bioavailability
Liquid formulations facilitate faster and more complete absorption of active ingredients, particularly for fat-soluble compounds like omega-3s, CoQ10, and fat-soluble vitamins, resulting in improved efficacy.
Superior Protection
The hermetically sealed capsule provides exceptional protection against oxygen, and moisture, preserving the potency and extending the shelf life of sensitive ingredients like essential oils and certain vitamins.
Improved Stability
The liquid matrix and protective shell significantly enhance the stability of volatile compounds and oxygen-sensitive ingredients, maintaining potency throughout the product's shelf life.
Easy to Swallow
The smooth, gelatin capsule with its liquid content is easier to swallow than tablets and traditional powder-filled capsules, improving the consumer experience and compliance.
Taste Masking
Effectively masks the unpleasant taste and odor of ingredients like fish oil, garlic, and certain herbal extracts, eliminating aftertaste and improving the overall consumption experience.
Visual Appeal
The transparent or colored capsules with visible liquid contents create an attractive, premium appearance that communicates advanced technology and superior quality to consumers.
Licap Variations
Explore our specialized Licap formulation technologies
Liquid-Filled Licaps
Liquid-Filled Licaps contain fully liquid formulations, making them ideal for delivering oils and other liquid ingredients that require protection and precise dosing. The hermetically sealed capsule ensures stability and prevents leakage.
- Perfect for fish oils, essential oils, and fat-soluble vitamins
- Improved absorption of liquid ingredients
- Complete oxygen barrier for sensitive compounds
- Enhanced stability and extended shelf life
- Available in sizes from 0.37 mL (Size 2) to 1.23 mL (Size 000)
Semi-Solid Licaps
Suspension-Filled Licaps contain semi-solid or suspension-based formulations, ideal for active ingredients that are only partially soluble in liquid or require a slower, controlled release in the body. They help protect sensitive compounds and ensure accurate dosing.
- Ideal for partially soluble compounds
- Controlled release for sustained effects
- Enhanced protection for sensitive ingredients
- Improved stability in challenging formulations
- Available in sizes from 00 to 4
Ideal Applications
Perfect solutions for various supplement categories
Omega-3 & Fish Oil
Licap technology is ideal for fish oil and omega-3 supplements, providing oxidation protection and eliminating the fishy taste and odor associated with these products.
- No fishy aftertaste or "repeating"
- Superior oxidation protection
- Enhanced absorption of fatty acids
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamins A, D, E, and K require a lipid medium for optimal absorption and stability, making Licaps the perfect delivery system for these essential nutrients.
- Enhanced bioavailability
- Protection from oxidation
- Extended shelf stability
Essential Oils
Volatile essential oils benefit greatly from the protective barrier provided by Licaps, preserving their aromatic compounds and therapeutic properties.
- Prevents evaporation of volatile compounds
- Masks strong aromas
- Ensures precise dosing
CoQ10 & Ubiquinol
Coenzyme Q10 and its reduced form, Ubiquinol, are notoriously difficult to formulate due to their poor solubility and oxidation sensitivity. Licaps provide the ideal solution for these challenging ingredients.
- Dramatically improved absorption
- Protection from oxidation
- Maintains potency over time
Technology Comparison
How Licaps compare to traditional delivery systems
| Feature | Licaps | Softgels | Tablets | Traditional Capsules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bioavailability | Excellent | Very Good | Fair | Good |
| Faster Onset of Action | Excellent | Very Good | Fair | Good |
| Clean-Label (No Fillers or Binders) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Enhanced Shelf Life | Excellent | Good | Good | Fair |
| Customizable Dosage | Highly | Limited | Moderate | Limited |
| Low Cross-Contamination Risk | Very Low | Medium | High | Medium |
| Leak-Proof & Chemical Protection | Excellent | Prone | Weak | Weak |
| Targeted & Timed Release Capability | Advanced | No | Limited | No |
| Suitable for Heat-Sensitive Ingredients | Yes | No | No | No |
| Reduces Gastric Irritation | Yes | No | No | No |
| Minimizes Unpleasant Taste/Odor | Excellent | No | No | Limited |
Licap Sizes & Specifications
Detailed information about available Licap sizes and their capacities.
| Size | Volume Capacity | Typical Applications | Available Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| 000 | 1.23 mL | High-dose fish oilsMultiple oil blendsLarge dose formulations | Clear, White, Custom colors available |
| 00 | 0.95 mL | Vitamin EOmega complexesMulti-ingredient formulas | Clear, White, Custom colors available |
| 0 | 0.68 mL | CoQ10Medium-dose oilsCombined nutrients | Clear, White, Custom colors available |
| 1 | 0.50 mL | Vitamin DEssential oilsStandard supplements | Clear, White, Custom colors available |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Licap technology
Licaps are available in a range of standard capsule sizes from 000 (largest) to 1 (smallest). The liquid fill volume varies from approximately 0.50 mL (Size 1) to 1.23 mL (Size 000), allowing for flexibility in formulation and dosing. The specific size selection depends on the required dose of active ingredients, the nature of the formulation, and the target consumer demographics.
Licap technology enhances bioavailability through several mechanisms:
1. Pre-dissolution: The active ingredients are already dissolved or suspended in a liquid matrix, eliminating the dissolution step required for solid forms.
2. Lipid carriers: Many Licap formulations utilize lipid-based delivery systems that can enhance the absorption of poorly water-soluble compounds.
3. Enhanced permeability: Certain excipients used in Licap formulations can temporarily increase intestinal permeability, facilitating improved absorption.
4. Protection: The hermetic seal protects sensitive ingredients from degradation before they reach their absorption site.
These factors can lead to significantly higher bioavailability compared to traditional solid dosage forms, particularly for lipophilic and poorly water-soluble compounds.
Licap technology is particularly beneficial for:
• Lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds such as vitamins A, D, E, and K
• Oxygen-sensitive ingredients like fish oils, essential fatty acids, and CoQ10
• Compounds with poor water solubility that benefit from lipid-based delivery
• Ingredients with unpleasant taste or odor that need effective masking
• Volatile compounds that require protection from evaporation
• Ingredients that benefit from enhanced bioavailability
• Combinations of ingredients with different solubility profiles
Licaps differ from softgel capsules in several important ways:
Leak-Proof Design: Licaps use a fusion-sealing technology that makes them more leak-proof and chemically stable than softgels, which are prone to melting or leakage under certain conditions.
Clean-Label Formulation: Licaps typically require no gelatin, plasticizers, or added fillers, while softgels often contain gelatin and additives, making Licaps a cleaner and more natural choice.
Heat Sensitivity: Licaps are better suited for heat-sensitive ingredients, as their manufacturing process uses lower temperatures, unlike softgels, which often involve heat that can degrade sensitive actives like probiotics or enzymes.
Gastric Protection & Targeted Release: Licaps can be designed for targeted or delayed release, helping reduce gastric irritation — a feature not generally available in softgels.
Shelf Life and Stability: Thanks to their tight seal and barrier protection, Licaps offer better shelf life and oxidation resistance compared to softgels.
Less Odor and Taste Leakage: The fusion-locked Licaps minimize unpleasant smell or taste, especially for strong ingredients like fish oil — softgels may still release some odor.
The shelf life of Licap products typically ranges from 24 to 36 months, depending on the specific formulation, active ingredients, and storage conditions. The hermetic seal and oxygen barrier properties of Licaps often contribute to extended stability compared to traditional capsules, particularly for oxidation-sensitive ingredients.
At Med Care Factory, we conduct comprehensive stability studies for all Licap formulations to determine accurate shelf-life data under various storage conditions. We can provide guidance on expected stability and optimal packaging configurations to maximize product shelf life.
Ready to Enhance Your Supplements with Licap Technology?
Contact our team to discuss how our advanced Licap delivery system can improve your product's efficacy, stability, and consumer appeal.
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