Enhancement of Flow Properties and Flowability of Pharmaceutical Excipients (MCCP) and its Effect on Tabletability

Abstract

Flow properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) excipients, Avicel PH 101 and Avicel PH 102 have been compared by using Brookfield PFT. Afterwards, the effect of hydrophobic Silica R972 as glidant has been tested on both the excipients. Hand blending is done by mixing MCCs with hydrophobic silica R972 vigorously by SAC as an underlined basis for 10 minutes and the flow properties tests are performed. During the flow function test “as received” Avicel PH 102 shows better flow function property as compared to “as received” Avicel PH 101. It was found that, with the increase in silica content there is a gradual increase in flow function of Avicel PH 102 silica blends whereas the Avicel PH 101 silica blends showed sudden increase in flow function which then lowered to negligible increase after 80% SAC. The wall friction angle of “as received” Avicel PH 102 shows lower values as compared to “as received” Avicel PH 101 while both showed a rise in wall friction angle with the inclusion of silica. However, bulk density of Avicel PH 101 first increases from 0% SAC to 60% SAC silica then decreases till 120% SAC silica. Whereas in Avicel PH 102, bulk density of silica blended samples have lower bulk density as compared “as received” Avicel PH 102. Tabletability is another parameter that has been compared by varying tablet mass (100 mg and 200 mg) and compaction force (0.75, 1 and 1.25 Metric ton). Tablets with more mass show higher strength and with increase in compactive force, there is increase in tablet strength. There is a decrease in tablet strength with increase in silica SAC.