Effects of extrusion and formulation parameters on the production of paracetamol-microcrystalline cellulose extrudates

Abstract

Abstract Two single-screw extrusion processes using binary formulations (microcrystalline cellulose and paracetamol) were performed in this study. Two different particle sizes of paracetamol (mean diameter 18.30 μm and 352.80 μm) at two different concentrations (40 and 80%) were retained as formulation variables. The axial and radial extrusion systems were applied as process variables. The yield , the temperature variation , and the time evaluated during extrusion constant flow were interpreted as experimental responses. These responses were studied with the help of a factorial plan so as to evaluate the influence of each factor and their interactions. The temperature variation and the extrusion time are considerably higher on the axial system. The influence of particle size of paracetamol over the temperature is more significant than its concentration. Mixtures containing fine particle size generate less heat, at the minimal concentration of paracetamol for the axial system and at the maximal for the radial system. The extrusion time is smaller with the fine powder variety and at 40% of paracetamol for both extruder types. The extrusion yield is not affected by any of the studied variables. Interactions between the concentration and particle size of paracetamol were significant for both extrusion systems, corroborating to the inter-dependence of these two factors.