Note on the measurement of flowability according to the European Pharmacopoeia.
Flowabilities of six commercially available, direct compression excipients, Emcompress, Fujicalin, Starch 1500, Avicel PH-102, Tablettose 80, and Tablettose 100 were examined according to the technical procedure described in the current European Pharmacopoeia, and with a Sotax Flow Tester. Results revealed unfavourable properties for Fujicalin compared to other substances. Fujicalin, however, appeared macroscopically to be of extremely pronounced free-flowing properties. This contradiction was studied in more detail, proposing to express powder flow in terms of volume per time unit rather than mass per time unit (volume-flowability).
Schüssele
Andrea
A
Department of Pharmaceutcis and Biopharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tromsø, Universitetsveien 57, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
Bauer-Brandl
Annette
A
D005060:Europe; D005079:Excipients; D010602:Pharmacopoeias as Topic; D011208:Powders; D013607:Tablets; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical
D005079:Excipients; D011208:Powders; D013607:Tablets