Method and apparatus for the preparation of capsules

A non-spherical seamless capsule comprising oil, wherein the oil is surrounded by a gelled gel-forming polymer comprising alginate, the capsule has a length of 16 mm to 35 mm and a diameter of 5 mm to 12 mm, the capsule is delayed release, and said capsule is made by a process comprising the steps of:

• (a) continuously adding a material to be encapsulated to a tubing containing an aqueous gelling solution comprising a water soluble alginate, the tubing having an input end and an output end, wherein the material is an emulsion comprising oil, water, an emulsifier, and a gelling agent comprising a polyvalent cation and wherein the oil is present in an amount of at least 50% by weight of said emulsion;
• (b) vibrating the tubing to a sufficient degree such that the material passes through the tubing from the input end to the output end in a controlled, agitated manner and with controlled residence time so as to form said seamless capsule;
• (c) washing the capsule for at least three hours in (i) water or (ii) an aqueous solution that does not contain a sequestrant;
• (d) plasticizing the capsule by adding the capsule to a plasticizer bath;
• and
• (e) drying said capsule.