Production of directly compressible excipients with mannitol by wet granulation: Rheological, compressibility and compactibility characterization

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to produce co-processed excipients using mannitol as base material with some of the most used binders: potato, maize pre-gelatinized starch, and K-25, K-29/32, K-90 povidone. Mannitol, one commercial based-mannitol product, and the produced materials were characterized by their particle size distribution, Carr’s index, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, powder flow, and moisture content. Heckel analysis, compactibility profiles, and Ryshkewitch-Duckworth analysis were also evaluated. It is concluded that co-processing mannitol enhances flow, compressibility, and compactibility properties of the materials. Heckel analysis showed a decreased yield pressure (Py) value for the co-processed materials; while a 10-times increment in mechanical resistance of co-processed materials was observed in compactibility profiles in comparison with mannitol tablets. Ryshkewitch-Duckworth analysis allowed the calculation of the bonding capacity, which in some cases was similar to ductile materials as microcrystalline cellulose.