Utilization of Pectin from Okra as Binding Agent in Immediate Release Tablets

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Materials Science
• Sustainable Chemistry

Background:

• Plant-derived polymers are increasingly explored as sustainable pharmaceutical excipients.
• Pectin, a natural polysaccharide, offers potential as a binder in tablet formulations.
• Local sourcing of pharmaceutical ingredients supports regional industries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the binding potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pectin from Ghanaian genotypes in paracetamol immediate release tablets.
• To compare the efficacy of okra pectin binders with a standard pharmaceutical binder, tragacanth BP.
• To determine optimal concentrations of okra pectin for tablet formulation.

Main Methods:

• Extraction and characterization of pectin from five okra genotypes (PC1-PC5).
• Formulation of paracetamol tablets using okra pectin (10%, 15%, 20% w/v) and tragacanth BP as binders.
• Evaluation of tablet properties including weight uniformity, drug content, hardness, friability, disintegration, and dissolution.
• Statistical analysis of crushing strength compared to tragacanth BP.

Main Results:

• Pectin yields varied (6.12-18.84%w/w) with favorable physicochemical properties (pH 6.39-6.92, good swelling, low moisture).
• Tablets formulated with okra pectin exhibited significantly higher crushing strength (P ≤ 0.05) than those with tragacanth BP.
• Tablets formulated with 10% and 15% w/v okra pectin generally met disintegration and dissolution requirements, except for PC4 at 15% w/v.
• Higher pectin concentrations (>15% w/v) led to failed disintegration and poor dissolution profiles for most genotypes.

Conclusions:

• Okra pectin from selected Ghanaian genotypes is a viable alternative binder for immediate release tablets.
• Optimal binder concentrations range from 10% to 15% w/v for effective tablet performance.
• Further industrial commodification of okra pectin as a pharmaceutical binder is recommended.