Hydro-Capsules: Hydrocapsules are an untapped unused drug delivery systems that can be used for nutraceutical/dietary supplement products. The mechanism by which a Hydrocapsule is created allows for a singular (mononuclear) microspheres as a shell for the capsule. Without getting too technical, bi-liquid droplets are created, allowing for polymerization of the droplets that are in essence an aqueous liquid core surrounded by a think, hydrophobic polymer membrane. This type of capsule is unique because it can be created to hold or deliver water-soluble and insoluble materials than can range from very light (a couple hundred Daltons) to several millimeters. This type of capsule appears to be the next generation of the soft gel. This type of product is designed to enhance the absorption profile of specialized molecules including dietary supplements. Typically, when one uses microsphere technology, you can deliver more of the product to the human gastrointestinal system, thus absorption of the product is better. I would think that any company with a water soluble botanical, vitamin or herbal or even on with a liped based structure would benefit from this type of delivery system. Too different? As we are witnessing, there is a resurgence in the quality of dietary supplements that are being sold in the United States. By far, we are allowed the freedoms to choose many different types of nutrition oriented products and choices of quality products have improved since the industry regulations were set in place. As I have noted in the aforementioned paragraph, one of the improvements in quality has been the delivery aspect. If you do not know what I mean by delivery, think of how we eat or drink something. It is being delivered by the oral route. Oral as opposed to injected. Oral delivery systems include the tablet, capsule, soft gel, medicinal chewing gum, beverages and so on. Drug delivery specialists Penwest recently announced four new delivery methods for oral products. TimeRx is a controlled released system (time released). Geminex is a dual-drug, dual-release product; this is the most exciting type of delivery system within the nutrition industry. This dual-drug, dual-delivery system delivers (or can deliver) two different products in concentrated amounts to be released into the body at the same or different times. Thus, Geminex has potential to be used as a concentrated delivery product. Penwest has also created SyncroDose, which delivers the product solely to a desired spot in the intestinal system. So imagine that you wanted to deliver HMB and you knew HMB is mostly absorbed in the ileum (most dietary protein is absorbed in the jejunum), therefore you would make the product to be ileum-specific and thus none of the product gets lost on its way to the destination and you reap the benefits. Finally, Penwest also invented GastroDose and what makes this delivery system so special is that it forces the product to be retained in the stomach longer than normal, thus forcing enhanced upper intestinal absorption. Products that lend potential for this delivery systems are acid buffers, pH optimizers, water-soluble vitamins and so much more. Look for these types of names or delivery systems in the near future. NEXT