Abstract—Chitosan is a biopolymer derived from the deacetylation of chitin. Chitosan is composed of poly (2-deoxy-2- asetilamin-2-glucose) and poly (2-deoksi- 2-aminoglukosa) that binds (1-4) β-glycosidic. Chitosan character is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. Chitosan also has a very much usefulness in everyday life such as adsorbent of heavy metal waste and dye, preservatives, antifungal, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, flocculants, anticancer and antibacterial. The pharmaceutical industry is now preoccupied with issues about capsule shell. The main ingredient of making current commercial capsule shell is gelatin derived from cow bones and pork skin. The weakness shell gelatin capsules of pig skin makes this product can’t be consumed by the majority of society, while gelatin made from cow bones makes people worried about contracting mad cow disease. from the cow. Standard shell capsules for pharmaceutical purposes must have the specifications for water content is 12,5% to 15%. Gel strength in the range of 240 bloom to 140 bloom. Viscosity in the range of 4,7 cps to 3,2 cps. Ash content does not outtop 5%. The degree of acidity (pH) in the range of 5,5 to 5,7. The results of several studies on samples of shrimp chitosan obtained result is 5,56% water content, ash content is 0,8%, and the viscosity was 120,5 cps. Manufacture of chitosan capsule shell is intended to substitute shell gelatin capsules made from pork or cow bones. Increase the value of the capsule shell because chitosan character as antibacterial, antiradiasi, as a preservative of food products, and can absorb heavy metals.

Index Terms—chitosan, chitin, capsule shell, pharmaceutical

Cite: Rosma Alami and Laras Permatasari, "Industry Pharmaceuticals: Chitosan as an Alternative Replacement Gelatin Capsules on Shell," Journal of Medical and Bioengineering, Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 67-71, February 2016. Doi: 10.12720/jomb.5.1.67-71