title: A mechanistic investigation on the utilization of lactose as a protective agent for multi-unit pellet systems.
abstract: The effect of lactose particle size on the extent of pellet coat damage was investigated. The extent of pellet coat damage increased linearly with lactose median particle size. It was observed that coated pellets compressed with coarser lactose grades had larger and deeper surface indentations. The surfaces of the pellets compressed with coarser lactose grades were also found to be significantly rougher. Micronized lactose was capable of protecting pellet coats from damage brought about by the presence of coarser lactose particles. The findings suggested a protective effect that micronized lactose conferred to pellet coats was not only through dimensional delimitations but also by higher interparticulate friction and longer particle rearrangement phase. As a result, the pellet volume fraction in the system was reduced. The extent of pellet coat damage was found to escalate when the pellet volume fraction in such system increased beyond a critical value of 0.39.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy, GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory , National University of Singapore , Singapore.
authors.forename: Wun Chyi
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy, GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory , National University of Singapore , Singapore.
authors.forename: Lai Wah
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Pharmacy, GEA-NUS Pharmaceutical Processing Research Laboratory , National University of Singapore , Singapore.
authors.forename: Paul Wan Sia
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Heng
mesh_terms: D004339:Drug Compounding / Q000379:methods; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000737:chemistry*; D007785:Lactose / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004343:Drug Implants; D020011:Protective Agents; D007785:Lactose
keywords: Coating; MUPS; compression; lactose; particle size; pellets