title: Utilization of a modified special-cubic design and an electronic tongue for bitterness masking formulation optimization.
abstract: A unique modification of simplex design was applied to an electronic tongue (E-Tongue) analysis in bitterness masking formulation optimization. Three formulation variables were evaluated in the simplex design, i.e. concentrations of two taste masking polymers, Amberlite and Carbopol, and pH of the granulating fluid. Response of the design was a bitterness distance measured using an E-Tongue by applying a principle component analysis, which represents taste masking efficiency of the formulation. The smaller the distance, the better the bitterness masking effect. Contour plots and polynomial equations of the bitterness distance response were generated as a function of formulation composition and pH. It was found that interactions between polymer and pH reduced the bitterness of the formulation, attributed to pH-dependent ionization and complexation properties of the ionic polymers, thus keeping the drug out of solution and unavailable to bitterness perception. At pH 4.9 and an Amberlite/Carbopol ratio of 1.4:1 (w/w), the optimal taste masking formulation was achieved and in agreement with human gustatory sensation study results. Therefore, adopting a modified simplex experimental design on response measured using an E-Tongue provided an efficient approach to taste masking formulation optimization using ionic binding polymers.
authors.affiliation: Formulation R&D, Barr Laboratories, Inc., Pomona, New York 10970, USA. lli@kvph.com
authors.forename: Lianli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Venkatesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Naini
authors.forename: Salah U
authors.initials: SU
authors.lastname: Ahmed
mesh_terms: D000179:Acrylates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000284:Administration, Oral; D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008954:Models, Biological; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012107:Research Design; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012995:Solubility; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*; D013652:Taste Threshold / Q000187:drug effects; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014059:Tongue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000179:Acrylates; C511335:Amberlite IRP-64; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; C492577:carbopol 971P