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Matrix tablets of carrageenans. I. A compaction study.
1Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Department of Pharmacy, Halle/Saale, Germany. picker@pharmazie.uni-halle.de
Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy
|March 11, 1999
Summary
Carrageenans exhibit excellent compaction and consolidation properties, making them ideal excipients for controlled-release tablets. Their viscoelastic behavior and ability to form strong, elastic compacts ensure soft drug embedding and flexible dosage form design.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Materials Science
Background:
- Carrageenans are polysaccharides with potential applications as pharmaceutical excipients.
- Controlled-release drug delivery systems require excipients with specific compaction and consolidation characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the tableting behavior of kappa- and tau-carrageenans.
- To determine their suitability as excipients for controlled-release tablets.
Main Methods:
- Carr indices, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) were used.
- Powder compression behavior was analyzed using an eccentric tableting machine.
- Heckel function and pressure-time analysis were applied to porosity-pressure and pressure-time plots.
Main Results:
- Carrageenans demonstrated free-flowing properties and viscoelastic tableting behavior.
- Tablets formed exhibited high crushing strength and significant elastic recovery (approx. 30% after 10 days).
- All tested carrageenans showed similar, favorable tableting properties.
Conclusions:
- Carrageenans are suitable tableting excipients for controlled-release applications.
- Their good compactibility and consolidation behavior allow for soft drug embedding with minimal residual stress.
- These properties enable flexible and robust dosage form design.