Our Technology
12+ Years of PHPS — Pregelatinized Hydroxypropyl Starch
From Laboratory to Commercial Scale
What Is PHPS?
PHPS — Pregelatinized Hydroxypropyl Starch — is a dual-modified starch engineered for softgel film-forming. It is produced through two sequential modification steps on non-GMO plant starch, and is monographed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) as a pharmaceutical excipient.
Chemical modification — hydroxypropylation. Native starch is etherified with propylene oxide, introducing hydroxypropyl groups that disrupt the original hydrogen-bonded starch lattice. The result is retrogradation resistance: capsule shells do not go brittle over 24-month shelf life.
Physical modification — pregelatinization. The hydroxypropylated starch is gelatinized and rapidly dried, yielding microporous, non-crystalline granules — the ideal structural base for consistent, high-strength film formation.
Pharmacopoeia status. Pregelatinized hydroxypropyl starch is an officially monographed excipient in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia — used as tablet disintegrant, binder, and softgel film-forming matrix. Amylom Biotechnology supplies to GB 29930-2013 standard, HALAL certified by LPPOM-MUI across four countries.
Plant-based by origin. AMYLOM™ PHPS is derived from non-GMO plant starch — corn, potato, cassava, or pea — vegan, halal, and kosher suitable. Note: the “P” in PHPS stands for pregelatinized, not plant-based — plant-based describes the origin; pregelatinized hydroxypropyl describes the engineered form.
Key Technical Properties
- Source
- Non-GMO plant starch (corn, potato, cassava, pea)
- Modification
- Dual — chemical (hydroxypropylation) + physical (pregelatinization)
- Pharmacopoeia
- Monographed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP)
- Appearance
- White to off-white powder
- Solubility
- Water-soluble, forms clear gel
- Gel Yield
- Up to 1:3.6
- Gel Stability
- Stable 72 hr after melting
- Transparency
- Crystal clear shell
- Cross-linking
- None — chemically inert
- Standard
- GB 29930-2013
Active Certifications
HALAL (LPPOM-MUI, 4 countries) · GB 29930-2013 · GB 2760-2024
Under Application
Non-GMO · Vegan · Organic · NDF · FDA · ISO
Our Technical Advantages
What makes AMYLOM™ PHPS technology stand out.
Batch Consistency
Automated PHPS (pregelatinized hydroxypropyl starch) production line ensures every batch meets identical specifications. Consistent viscosity, transparency, and gel behavior — batch after batch.
Crystal Clear Shell
The microporous, non-crystalline starch granules produced by pregelatinization yield exceptionally transparent capsule shells — with higher clarity than gelatin and most plant-based alternatives. Ideal for color cosmetics and skincare where shell transparency is a purchase driver.
Cost Efficiency
With a gel yield ratio of up to 1:3.6, 72-hour gel solution stability after melting, and minimal in-process material loss — our material significantly reduces per-unit production costs compared to other plant capsule solutions.
Custom Formulation
Available in pure starch gel and blended plant gel formats. Our technical team works with clients to develop customized formulations that meet specific capsule appearance, fill compatibility, and production requirements.
Production Process
A streamlined 7-step gel melting and encapsulation process, ~4 hours total.
01
Weighing & Ratio Preparation
Raw material : water : glycerol ratio = 1 : 1.6 : 0.6
02
Cold Mixing of Water & Oil
Add purified water and glycerol, start stirring. After 3 minutes, drain 20% of the mixture from the bottom of the tank for later use.
03
Feeding
Add raw material steadily into the gel melting tank. Use the reserved water-oil mixture to rinse the stirrer and tank walls.
04
Heating & Gel Melting
Jacket temperature 110°C, tank set to 102°C. Start heating. Once tank reaches 90°C, time for 90–120 minutes.
05
Ambient Temperature Stirring
Stir at ambient temperature for 10–15 minutes to ensure uniform gel consistency.
06
First Vacuum
Set jacket to 102°C. Apply vacuum for 1–3 minutes to remove air bubbles from the gel solution.
07
Second Vacuum & Encapsulation
40–60 minutes after first vacuum, set jacket to 92°C, stop stirring, apply vacuum 1–3 minutes. Gel is now ready for encapsulation.
Interested in Our Technology?
Request a technical datasheet or speak with our R&D team directly.