[Nhcoll-l] Problems with vegetarian gelcaps

[Callomon,Paul]

Folks,

In January, I purchased some "vegetarian" gelcaps (HPMC - hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose) for dry storage of small specimens. Examining one from the collection today, I found that it was covered in moisture, both inside and out. Checking the stock of empty vials revealed the same situation - extensive moisture on all surfaces. These have been stored in less than 50% humidity.
Has anyone else had this problem? Retrieving and replacing all the gelcaps we've distributed in the last four months is going to cost us a lot, so I'd be interested to hear from others who've used them.

Paul Callomon
Collection Manager, Malacology, Invertebrate Paleontology and General Invertebrates
________________________________
Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia PA 19103-1195, USA
callomon at ansp.org<mailto:callomon at ansp.org> Tel 215-405-5096 - Fax 215-299-1170

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