Gastroresistant material, based on gelatin and intended to form capsule shells, was characterized. The films were obtained by mixing a gelatin solution with cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) pseudolatex at an elevated temperature. Microscopic and spectroscopic analyses of the films-intact or subjected to the acidic treatment-were performed, along with a permeability study of tritium-labeled water. A uniform porous structure formed by CAP within the gelatin gel was observed. The results demonstrated that no interaction of a chemical nature occurred between the components. Additionally, the performed permeability and solubility studies proved that the diffusion of water through the membranes at an acidic pH can be noticeably reduced by adding carrageenan as a secondary gelling/thickening agent.
Keywords: coacervation; gastro-resistant capsule; gelatin; microscopy; permeability; polyelectrolytes.