Development of starch-based pellets via extrusion/spheronisation.
A modified starch (high-amylose, crystalline and resistant starch) was evaluated as an alternative excipient to microcrystalline cellulose for pellets prepared via extrusion/spheronisation. Theophylline anhydrous (25%, w/w) was used as a model drug. A binder was necessary to obtain an acceptable yield and the addition of sorbitol improved the surface properties of the pellets. A surface response design with three formulation variables (binder, sorbitol and water level) and one process variable (spheronisation speed) was used to optimise the process and to evaluate pellet yield, sphericity (aspect ratio and two-dimensional shape factor, e(R)), size (mean Feret diameter), friability and disintegration properties. Mixer torque rheometry and solid-state NMR revealed a significant influence of sorbitol on wet mass consistency and pellet properties. A high pellet yield (>90%), acceptable sphericity (AR<1.2), low friability (<0.01%), fast disintegration (<10 min) and complete drug release in less than 20 min for all formulations, demonstrated the potential of this modified starch in formulations intended for extrusion/spheronisation.
Dukić
Aleksandra
A
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
Mens
Raoul
R
Adriaensens
Peter
P
Foreman
Paul
P
Gelan
Jan
J
Remon
Jean Paul
JP
Vervaet
Chris
C
D000465:Algorithms; D000687:Amylopectin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D000688:Amylose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D002482:Cellulose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003460:Crystallization; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D010968:Plasticizers / Q000737:chemistry; D011205:Povidone / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013012:Sorbitol / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000379:methods*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D004337:Drug Carriers; D005079:Excipients; D010968:Plasticizers; D013012:Sorbitol; D002482:Cellulose; D000688:Amylose; D000687:Amylopectin; C008079:hydroxypropylcellulose; D013806:Theophylline; D011205:Povidone