received by the International Bureau on 05 August 2019 (05.08.2019)

CLAIMS

We claim:

1. A composition comprising:

a carrageenan having a potassium content of less than or equal to about 3 wt. % and a calcium content of less than or equal to about 0.7 wt. % and characterized by:

(i) a viscosity of a 0.1 M aqueous sodium chloride solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan in a range from about 10 to about 55 cP at 75 °C, and/or

(ii) a viscosity of an aqueous solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan in a range from about 30 to about 80 cP at 75 °C;

a starch;

a plasticizer; and

water;

wherein the carrageenan comprises an iota carrageenan.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the potassium content of the carrageenan is in a range from about 0.5 to about 2 wt. %.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein:

(i) the viscosity of the 0.1 M aqueous sodium chloride solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan at 75 °C is in a range from about 25 to about 45 cP; and/or

(ii) the viscosity of the aqueous solution containing 1.5 wt. % of the carrageenan at 75 °C is in a range from about 35 to about 60 cP.

4. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrageenan contains less than or equal to about 0.05 wt. % calcium.

5. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrageenan contains less than or equal to about 2 wt. % magnesium.

6. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the starch comprises a potato starch, a pre-gelatinized modified com starch, a pre-gelatinized acid thinned modified corn starch, an acid modified hydroxypropylated corn starch, a flash dried acid modified native corn dent starch, a hydroxypropylated acid modified tapioca starch, a modified corn starch, a modified high amylose corn starch, or any

combination thereof.

7. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plasticizer comprises glycerin, sorbitol, a propylene glycol, a polyethylene glycol, or any combination thereof.

8. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 30 to about 60 wt. % water.

9. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a buffer.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition contains from greater than zero to less than or equal to about 1 wt. % buffer.

11. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein a weight ratio of starch: carrageenan is in a range from about 1.5: 1 to about 5: 1.

12. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 4 to about 9 wt. % carrageenan.

13. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the composition contains from about 17 to about 37 wt. % plasticizer; and the plasticizer comprises glycerin and/or sorbitol.

14. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition contains from about 10 to about 32 wt. % starch.

15. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises an additive selected from a colorant, a preservative, a disintegrant, a flavorant, or any combination thereof.

16. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a fusion temperature (T_F) in a range from about 25 °C to about 62 °C.

17. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is configured to produce capsules on pressure-free rotary die equipment.

18. An article of manufacture comprising the composition of any one of claims 1- 17.

19. A film comprising the composition of any one of claims 1-17.

20. The film of claim 19, wherein the film has an average thickness in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm.

21. The film of claim 19 or 20, wherein the film is configured to produce capsules on pressure-free rotary die equipment.

22. The film of any one of claims 19-21, wherein the film contains, on a dry basis: from about 10 to about 15 wt. % carrageenan;

from about 40 to about 60 wt. % plasticizer; and

from about 25 to about 50 wt. % starch.

23. A capsule comprising:

a shell comprising the composition of any one of claims 1-17; and

a fill material.

24. The capsule of claim 23, wherein the fill material is a liquid.

25. The capsule of claim 23, wherein the fill material is a solid.

26. The capsule of any one of claims 23-25, wherein the capsule is configured to replace a gelatin-based capsule.

27. The capsule of any one of claims 23-26, wherein the shell contains, on a dry basis:

from about 10 to about 15 wt. % carrageenan;

from about 40 to about 60 wt. % plasticizer; and

from about 25 to about 50 wt. % starch. 28. A method for removing water from a capsule and/or for increasing rigidity of a capsule, the method comprising contacting the capsule of any one of claims 23-27 with an alcohol compound.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the alcohol compound comprises methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or any combination thereof.