Optimization Formulation of Spirulina platensis Chewable Tablet

Abstract

Among various natural food sources, spirulina contains β-carotene which is higher than other sources that is used to overcome malnutrition. However, spirulina was widely marketed in the conventional form such as capsules and tablets which are less favorable for consumption. In order to increase its acceptability, it is formulated in the chewable tablet using direct press method that meets requirements and is acceptable to the community. This study aims to determine the valid of optimal formula for spirulina chewable tablets through the development of formulas on aerosil 200 (lubricant), and PEG 6000 (glidant). This was an experimental research which was carried out by optimizing the dry extract formula of Spirulina platensis using the Simplex Lattice Design (SLD) method with Aerosil 200 as a lubricant and PEG 6000 as a glidant. The tablet's physical properties observed were organoleptic, weight uniformity, tensile strength, friability, disintegration time. The result of physical properties test were analysed using one sample t-test with a 95% confidence level. Then, the optimum formula was conduct to hedonic test. The result of the spirulina chewable tablets optimum formula was consist of 25 mg aerosil 200 (lubricant) and 5 mg PEG 6000 (glidant) with 0.58% weight uniformity deviation, 4.52 kgf/cm 2 tensile strength, 0.74% friability and all the tablets meets specification for disintegration time. The validation results showed that there were no significant differences in the physical properties of the SLD prediction results with the actual results. The hedonic test showed that optimum formula still need to add mask odour to minimize the characteristic aroma and the coating material to beautify physical appearance of spirulina the chewable tablet. The optimal formula for spirulina chewable tablets and fulfilling the quality requirements of traditional medicines is using 25 mg aerosil 200 (lubricant) and 5 mg PEG 6000 (glidant).