Wet Granulation Technology Research Articles

Technological approaches to improve the bioavailability of the poor soluble substance Candesartan Cilexetil in mini-tablets

Introduction. The polypill in the form of a hard gelatin capsule containing mini-tablets of the original antihypertensive combination is being developed at the Saint-Petersburg State Chemical and Pharmaceutical University. One of the components of the polypill is Candesartan, which has high antihypertensive activity and organoprotective properties. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) of Candesartan Cilexetil is characterized by low solubility in water and gastrointestinal tract media, therefore increasing the solubility of this substance can lead to a significant improving the bioavailability.Aim. Comparative analysis of technological approaches to increasing the bioavailability of the poor soluble API Сandesartan Сilexetil in a mini-tablet dosage form.Materials and methods. API Сandesartan Сilexetil, β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate and excipients for the production of mini-tablets, such as diluents, binders, disintegrant, dusting components were used. The release profiles of Candesartan Cilexetil from the developed mini-tablets were assessed in comparison with the original drug Atacand®, 8 mg tablets. The complex of candesartan cilexetil with β-CD in a 1 : 1 ratio was prepared by three methods: dry mixing, paste method and lyophilization. A solid dispersion (SD) of candesartan was obtained by hot melt extrusion. The API complexes with β-CD and SD were characterized by FTIR-spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Tablet mixtures were produced by dry mixing and wet granulation technology. Mini-tablets were obtained on a laboratory automatic single-punch tablet press. Quality control of the mini-tablets was conducted by the methods of State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XV ed. and United State Pharmacopeia methods.Results and discussion. Comparative analysis of technological approaches to increasing the bioavailability of Candesartan Cilexetil showed, that preparation of a complex including API with β-CD in a 1 : 1 ratio using the paste method with further using of wet granulation technology allowed to obtain mini-tablets with improved release of poor soluble API compared to the original drug. On the contrary, the use of TDS in mini-tablet technology led to a slower release of API compared to the original drug. The developed mini-tablets of Candesartan composition № 7 met pharmacopoeial requirements by all acceptance criteria.Conclusion. The creation of complex of Candesartan Cilexetil with β-CD by the paste method with further using of wet granulation technology is the optimal technological approach to increasing the bioavailability of the poor soluble API Candesartan Cilexetil in mini-tablets.

Study of the Effect of Matrix-forming Polymers on the Release Rate of Sodium 4,4'-(propanediamido)dibenzoate from Tablets

Introduction. Wet granulation technology is a process of directed particle aggregation of powder materials to obtain required properties of tablet masses and, as a consequence, to achieve satisfactory characteristics of tablets. In this addition, as a result of wet granulation technology, if special excipients are used, it becomes possible to control the rate and kinetics of release of active pharmaceutical substances from tablets to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.Aim. To study the effect of matrix-forming components included in the composition of mixtures for granulation on the rate of release of sodium 4,4'-(propanediamido)dibenzoate from tablets.Materials and methods. The original substance sodium 4,4'-(propanediamido)dibenzoate, as well as a number of excipients, which included polymers used for prolonged-release dosage forms, lubricant – sodium stearyl fumarate, as well as pore-forming agents – PVP and MCC, were the objects of the study. The key parameters of tablets and dissolution kinetics were studied in accordance with the requirements of State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XIV edition and Pharmacopeia of the Eurasian Economic Union.Result and discussion. Prolonged release was achieved for all tablets, but more than 90 % of the substance was released after 12 hours in tablets containing ethylcellulose as a matrix-forming polymer. The release of APS from tablets of this formulation was the most prolonged.Сonclusion. The effect of matrix-forming components included in the composition of mixtures for granulation on the rate of release of 4,4'-(propanediamido)sodium dibenzoate from tablets has been studied. The most uniform and complete release of ASF from tablets in which the matrix-forming polymer is ethylcellulose in the amount of 27.7 %.

Formulation, Development and Evaluation of Extended- Release Tablets of Carbamazepine

The current work sets out to design and develop a carbamazepine (CBZ) extended-release tablet in the treatment of epilepsy using wet granulation technology. The tablets were prepared using HPMC K 100M and ethyl cellulose as hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers, respectively. The effect of the concentration of the polymer was studied. The studies indicated that the drug release can be modulated by varying the concentration of the polymer. Tapped density, bulk density, angle of repose, Hausner's ratio, and Carr's index were all calculated for powder blends. The prepared trial batches of tablets were first characterized for hardness, friability, weight variation, and drug content to select an optimized batch. An in-vitro dissolution study of the optimized batch (F4) was carried out in distilled water using a USP Type I (basket type) dissolution apparatus at 100rpm. The optimized formulation (F4) showed a drug content of 99.51%. In-vitro drug release of optimized formulation was found to be 88.10% in 24hours. The optimised formulation demonstrated release for up to 24 hours. The optimised formulation's stability was studied for three months at 40±2ºC/75±5% RH, 30±2ºC/65±5% RH, and 25±2ºC/60±5% RH, and the prepared tablets showed no remarkable effect from the stability study. The results suggest that the developed extended-release tablets of CBZ (400 mg) could perform as therapeutically equivalent alternatives to conventional dosage forms, leading to better patient compliance.

State of the art report on wet granulation technology

Granulation technologies are commonly used in the production of granular powders and tablets. The main purpose of this technology is to obtain granules, due to which the pharmaceutical substance dosing uniformity and an increase in tapped density essential during transportation and storage are achieved. In addition, it allows minimizing dust formation, thus increasing the safety of the production process. The article presents the results of a theoretical study of recent advances in wet granulation technology, namely, a brief description of the modifications of this technology, accompanied by schematic illustrations of the key stages of the process, as well as the advantages and limitations. of these modifications. The prerequisite for the emergence of alternative modifications of wet granulation technology was the limitations associated with the instability of pharmaceutical substances and the desire to reduce the time frame of the manufacturing process.

Influence of the drug particle morphology on physical characteristics of granules prepared with wet granulation technology process

Influence of the drug particle morphology on physical characteristics of granules prepared with wet granulation technology process

Physical, Mechanical, and Environmental Properties of Corn Stalk Fiber Reinforced Braking Composites Prepared by Wet Granulation

ABSTRACT Due to the increasing concern with the environmental safety and recyclability, natural fiber-reinforced composites have attracted more and more attention. In the present work, braking composite samples with and without wet granulation were fabricated and their physical, mechanical, and environmental properties were investigated systematically. The experimental results showed that the use of the wet granulation technology did not improve significantly the water absorption and impact strength properties of the braking composite samples but considerably improved their density and environmental performance in comparison to the braking composite sample without wet granulation, especially the environmental performance. Among the braking composite samples with wet granulation, with the decreasing of the resin contents, the density was decreased gradually, the water absorption was decreased and then increased, and the impact strength was increased. Samples FG-13 and FG-11 had a relatively low dust capacity, and sample FG-5 was the highest. The method of the braking composite preparation in the present work may serve as a useful guide to produce a strong low-resin environmental-friendly composite for automotive components.

WET GRANULATION TECHNOLOGY IN INDUSTRIAL PHARMACY

Abstract. This review discusses wet granulation technology, a process that helps particles of different materials bind to each other, thereby reducing the possibility of separation of materials in subsequent processing steps during their processing and increasing the likelihood of proper dosage uniformity in the dosage form. Granulation is a size-enlarging process in which individual particles of a powder, usually composed of several different components, are combined together to form a larger, structured particle in which the original particles may differ. Granulation makes it possible to change the properties of the solid granular material. Increasing the particle size reduces the potential hazard or harmful effects of the dust. The structure of the granules improves the flowability and compaction of the powder, and also helps to ensure the uniformity of the composition of the powder mass in the case of mixing materials. Wet granulation is a particle size coarsening process widely used in the manufacture of dosage forms. There are several reasons for wet granulation of pharmaceutical mixtures. An increase in particle size leads to an improvement in fluidity. The wet granulation process physically binds the mixed particles, thereby reducing the chance of separation of substances and causing possible dosing uniformity problems. Another reason for granulation is to reduce the possibility of separation of the pharmaceutical substance and/or excipients. Granulation technology always guarantees good flow properties and a uniform bulk density of the powder before compression, which is especially important in pharmaceutical development, and also reduces the risk of delamination by creating multi-component granules with a more uniform composition compared to a powder mixture.

Development of composition and evaluation of equivalence of diacerein hard gelatin capsules

Diacerein is a new generation of symptomatic slow-acting agent for the treatment of osteoarthritis, when taken orally, it exhibits moderate anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, slows down the decay of cartilage tissue and relieves pain and swelling, but its physicochemical properties it is practically insoluble in water, due to which only 35‒56% the drug reaches systemic circulation. Therefore, the search for approaches to increase the dissolution rate of a practically insoluble API using the formulation, type of excipients, degree of solubility and kinetics of the substance release from hard gelatin capsules should provide guaranteed drug efficacy.
 The aim of the work is to develop the composition of the drug in the form of hard gelatin capsules based on diacerein, to experimentally study the solubility of diacerein, and to evaluate the composition by studying the kinetics of dissolution of the drug.
 Determination of the pH-dependent solubility of diacerein was carried out in the conditions: the volume of the dissolution medium is 250 ml; dissolution temperature 37.0 ± 0.5 ºС. The highest recommended single dose of 50 mg was investigated. The development of the composition of the drug Diacerein, capsules, 50 mg was carried out with the use of various types of excipients and their modifications to achieve the proper technological properties in terms of fluidity (flowability) and a short disintegration time of the capsules for the release of the active substance. Comparative studies of the kinetics of dissolution were carried out by the in vitro method, the test «Dissolution» was studied a «Paddle apparatus» with a rotation speed of 75 rpm, a dissolution medium with a pH value of 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8, in a volume of 900 ml at a temperature of 37 ± 0.5 ºС. The reference drug was used «Artrodarin®», capsules of 50 mg, manufactured by TRB PHARMA S. A.,vArgentina.
 It was found that diacerein is practically insoluble in a buffer solution with a pH of 1.2, has a relatively low solubility in a buffer solution with a pH of 4.5, while the solubility of diacerein increases with an increase in the pH of the medium to 6.8. The optimal composition of capsules with diacerein using the wet granulation technology has been developed. The obtained data for bulk density and Carr's index indicate satisfactory flowability of the encapsulating mass. Comparative studies of the dissolution kinetics of the investigational medicinal product and the original drug «Artrodarin®», capsules of 50 mg were carried out. According to the calculations, all the obtained values of the similarity factor are in the range from 50 to 100 and indicate the similarity in buffer media with pH 1.2, 4.5 and 6.8. The developed composition of the preparation is equivalent in dissolution kinetics to the original medicine.

Optimization of Preparation Technology of Sturgeon Skin Dipeptidyl Peptidase-IV Inhibitory Peptide Chewable Tablets

In order to solve the problem that there are few DPP-IV products in the market,the wet granulation technology,fuzzy mathematics analysis method,single factor test,response surface test and orthogonal test were used to optimize the formulation and preparation process of chewable tablets. The results showed that,the optimal formula of chewable tablet were 46.52% peptide powder,23.94% xylitol,7.88% CMC-Na,7.00% magnesium stearate,10% and 4.66% residual milk powder and microcrystalline cellulose. The speed was 20 r/min,the filling depth was 11 mm,and the filling pressure was 28 kN,under the condition of 350 mesh size of raw material,the chewable tablets had moderate hardness,smooth surface and uniform color,and the comprehensive score of fuzzy mathematical analysis was 69.75 scores. In this study,the formulation and preparation process of DPP-IV inhibitory peptide chewable tablets for sturgeon skin were optimized by auxiliary feeding and wet granulation technology to provide theoretical support for the preparation of chewable tablets.

Disintegrant Properties of Native Starches obtained from Cassava, Sweet Potato and Corn in Ibuprofen Tablet Formulations

This study is aimed at evaluating the disintegrant properties of starches obtained from cassava (Manihot esculenta), sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and yellow corn (Zea mays). Matured tubers of cassava and potato were peeled, cut into smaller pieces, wet milled and their slurries washed severally with distilled water to obtain cassava and potato starches respectively. Matured seeds of yellow corn were steeped in distilled water for 24 h, wet milled and washed to separate the starch from the cellulose. The starches were dried at 50 ˚C after which they were characterized using standard methods. The starches at 10 % w/w were applied as disintegrants in the formulation of metronidazole tablets using wet granulation technology. Corn starch (British Pharmacopoeia) at 10 % w/w was used as comparing standard. The ibuprofen granules were evaluated for their micromeritic properties and thereafter compressed into ibuprofen tablets. Evaluation of the ibuprofen tablets for their physical properties, assay and dissolution studies were done using British Pharmacopoeia methods. Results showed that the materials extracted were starches, and they had a poor flow. The ibuprofen granules were flowable and compressible. Ibuprofen tablets compressed from these granules had good physical properties: minimal weight variation (604.00 ± 0.04 – 606.00 mg ± 0.03%), hardness (5.32 ± 0.41 – 6.33 ± 0.64 kgF), disintegration time < 15.00 min and friability < 1.00%. Assay and dissolution of metronidazole from the tablets complied with British Pharmacopoeia criteria. Cassava, potato, and yellow corn starches served as good disintegrants in ibuprofen tablet formulations. 
 Keywords: Disintegrant, starch, cassava, potato, corn, ibuprofen tablets

ANALYSIS OF THE COMPONENTS OF TABLET MIXTURES WITH IMMOBILIZED LYSOZYME

Aim. Study of the effect of the tablet mixtures components with immobilized lysozyme on the determinationactive substances for dietary supplementcreation. Methods. Activity of egg white lysozyme was determined bythe bacteriolytic method with Micrococcus lysodeikticus2665 as substrate. Protein content was determined by the Lowry-Hartree method, quercetin using zirconium (IV) chloride, chlorhexidinedigluconate by the reaction with α-naphtholand chromato-mass-spectrometrically. Tablet mixtures were prepared using wet granulation technology. Results. Quercetin and lysozyme are quantified in the composition of tablet mixtures by the spectrophotometry methods. It was shown that chlorhexidine digluconate is determined quantitatively in the absence of other components, while their addition complicates its quantitative analysis. So, in the presence of lysozyme, 80.22% of analyte is determined, quercetin – 90.52%, mannitol – 89.82%, lactose – 30.87%, sucrose by 40.97%, polyvinylpyrrolidone – 91.34%, calcium citrate – 52.99%. Conclusions. The methods for the quantitative analysis of the active components of tablet mixtures: lysozyme, quercetin and chlorhexidine digluconate are determined. It was found that lysozyme, quercetin, mannitol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, sucrose and lactose interfere with the quantitative determination of chlorhexidine digluconate by spectrophotometry and the chromatographic mass spectrometry methods in both one-factor and multivariate experiments.

Formulation and Evaluation of Combination Tablet of Anti-Hypertensive and Diuretic Drugs

The primary aim of this development is to have a stable formulation of antihypertensive and Diuretic drugs. Oral drug delivery system is the most convenient and easiest route of administration. We are going to make tablet dosage form in combination of two drugs i.e one is antihypertensive and another is diuretic drug. Formulation of tablet content API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) and different excipient like diluent, need of diluent to increase the bulk of tablet if we have use low-dose of drug, binder, disintegrant and lubricant. The Telmisartan and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets will prepare by using low substituted disintegrant. The addition of Diuretics to angiotensin II receptor blockers will potentiate the action of angiotensin receptor blockers. The tablets are prepared by using wet granulation technology and purified water is used as a granulating fluid And evaluation of tablet by using different parameter like weight variation , friability, tablet size and thickness and hardness testing ,disintegration test and dissolution testing.

Evaluation of wear resistance of corn stalk fiber reinforced brake friction materials prepared by wet granulation

In the design of brake friction materials, both composition and manufacturing technique should be comprehensive considered. In the present study, friction materials containing 5 wt%–13 wt% phenolic resin contents were fabricated based on wet granulation technology, and then effect of the resin contents on the tribological and morphological properties of the friction materials was investigated systematically. The results showed that wet granulation technology could improve the tribological and morphological properties of the friction materials, and it could also decrease the resin content to 7 wt% in the friction material which still had stable friction coefficient, excellent fade and recovery performances, and better wear resistance. The worn surfaces were inspected by a scanning electron microscope and a 3D laser scanning confocal microscopy. A number of primary and secondary plateaus and a reduced number of wear debris, micro-cracks, adhesive pit and groove were presented on the worn surface of the friction material containing 7 wt% resin (FG-7) after the friction-wear tests. This study indicated that friction stability and wear resistance of the friction materials are strongly influenced by the resin content and wet granulation technology; the wet granulation can effectively reduce resin content in the friction materials and still maintain or improve the tribological and morphological properties of the friction materials.

Study of the influence of cellulose derivatives on physical and analytical attributes of a drug product belonging to BCS class II.

Cellulose microcrystalline (MCC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and croscarmellose sodium are cellulose derivatives which are widely used in pharmaceutical technology. Although they are inert pharmaceutical ingredients, they can influence the release profile of an active substance from the dosage form depending on their distribution, type and quantity used in the formulation. The aim of the present investigation was to examine the effect of chosen cellulose derivatives on the physical and analytical attributes of a drug product containing an active substance of Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class II. The tablets were prepared using the wet granulation technology. The batches differed in the amount and grade of HPMC, the type of MCC and the distribution of croscarmellose sodium. The granule properties as well as physical (tablet hardness, disintegration time, friability) and analytical (dissolution profile in different media) attributes of the tablets were examined. The flow characteristics were satisfying in the case of all prepared batches. However, the differences in flow properties were visible, especially in the cases where MCC of coarser particles was replaced with MCC of finer particles. The type of MCC used in the product formula also had a significant influence on the drug product dissolution profile. The batches in which MCC of finer particles was used had substantially better results, regardless of HPMC viscosity type and the distribution of croscarmellose sodium between the inner and outer phase. What is more, the differences in the results between batches of different MCC types were especially visible in dissolution conditions, i.e., 0.1N hydrochloric acid (HCl). By choosing the right type, quantity and distribution of cellulose derivatives, it was possible to obtain the optimal formula of the drug product similar to in-vitro conditions to the reference drug. Out of all the tested excipients, the type of cellulose microcrystalline was found to have the most critical influence on both physical and analytical properties of the pharmaceutical formulation.

A novel approach to support formulation design on twin screw wet granulation technology: Understanding the impact of overarching excipient properties on drug product quality attributes

The overall objective of this work is to understand how excipient characteristics influence the drug product quality attributes and process performance of a continuous twin screw wet granulation process. The knowledge gained in this study is intended to be used for Quality by Design (QbD)-based formulation design and formulation optimization. Three principal components which represent the overarching properties of 8 selected pharmaceutical fillers were used as factors, whereas factors 4 and 5 represented binder type and binder concentration in a design of experiments (DoE). The majority of process parameters were kept constant to minimize their influence on the granule and drug product quality. 27 DoE batches consisting of binary filler/binder mixtures were processed via continuous twin screw wet granulation followed by tablet compression. Multiple linear regression models were built providing understanding of the impact of filler and binder properties on granule and tablet quality attributes (i.e. 16 DoE responses). The impact of fillers on the granule and tablet responses was more dominant compared to the impact of binder type and concentration. The filler properties had a relevant effect on granule characteristics, such as particle size, friability and specific surface area. Binder type and concentration revealed a relevant influence on granule flowability and friability as well as on the compactability (required compression force during tableting to obtain target hardness). In order to evaluate the DoE models’ validity, a verification of the DoE models was performed with new formulations (i.e. a new combination of filler, binder type and binder concentration) which were initially not included in the dataset used to build the DoE models. The combined PCA (principle component analysis)/DoE approach allowed to link the excipient properties with the drug product quality attributes.

Isolation, Characterization and Evaluation of Ocimum Basilicum Seed Mucilage for Tableting Performance

Owing to multifarious potentialities and fine aroma chemicals, Ocimum basilicum possessed medicinal properties like antibiotic, antistress, diaphoretic, diuretic, antipyretic, stomachic, antimicrobial and insecticidal. The main aim of this study was to isolate and characterize mucilage obtained from Ocimum basilicum seeds as a pharmaceutical excipient. Phytochemical characterization of the isolated mucilage was performed and presence of carbohydrates, fats and oils was detected using identification tests. Compressibility performance of the isolated mucilage was evaluated using the Heckel plot study, which showed that the isolated mucilage has poor compressibility properties. Results indicated that the mucilage could be a potential superdisintegrant for formulating fast disintegrating tablets of metoprolol tartarate. The way of addition of mucilage, concentration and the method of preparation all were found to influence fast disintegrating tablet performance. From these results it is possible to conclude that Ocimum basilicum seed mucilage could be used in direct compression with other excipients and in wet granulation technology as a superdisintegrant.

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF BILAYER TABLETS OF PROPRANOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE

The purpose of this study is to prepare a bilayer tablet of Propranolol HCl using Wet granulation technology and to formulate optimized formulation. Propranolol HCl, a nonselective β-adrenergic blocker which is the best drug candidate to formulate in to bilayer tablets fast release of drug from immediate release layer can give rapid onset of action which will help which will help to reduce Blood pressure within short period of time while maintenance dose of Propranolol HCl will maintain plasma concentration within therapeutic range for 12hrs having short half-life (3-5 hr) and first pass metabolism favors for sustained release dosage form. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation method. Hydrophobic matrix materials such as ethyl cellulose were used, which can release the drug up to 12 hrs in predetermined rate. Binder used was Starch paste (10%).The influence of hydrophobic polymer and granulation technique was studied. In this study, a bilayer tablet was prepared which contains an immediate release portion layer and sustained release portion. Ethyl cellulose were used as in alone, for Sustained release and Superdisintegrant Cross Povidone for immediate release used. The bilayer tablets were characterized by Calibration Curve, Calculation of Dose, Bulk Density, Tapped density, Angle of repose, Carr’s Index, Hausner’s ratio, Weight Variation, Hardness, Friability, Thickness, Drug Content and In-vitro dissolution profile. The granules showed satisfactory flow properties and compressibility. Best Formulation F3 [Drug + Ethylcellulose (1:3)] showed High % drug release 87.40% release, high drug content, high hardness and friability. Hence, it was found better than F1 and F2 so F3 is the best formulation. Keywords: Propranolol Hydrochloride, Ethylcellulose, Bilayer Tablets.

Development of flexible and dispersible oral formulations containing praziquantel for potential schistosomiasis treatment of pre-school age children

Praziquantel (PZQ), an anthelmintic drug used in developing countries for the treatment of schistosome infections, was processed using the fluid bed wet granulation technology to prepare fast dispersible granules, as an appropriate and flexible dosage form for pre-school-aged children. Granulation experiments were performed incorporating PZQ either in the powder mixture, according to the traditional way, or in the liquid phase containing wetting agents. In the powder mixture several excipients were tested: Flowlac 100 as filler, Galeniq 721 (isomalt) and Neosorb P 100 T (D-sorbitol) as sweeteners and PVP K30 as binder; while in the liquid phase Lutrol F68, Cremophor RH 40 or Tween 80 as surfactants were investigated. Different formulations loaded with 10% w/w (batches 1–8) and 20% w/w of PZQ (batches 9–13) were produced The majority of granules displayed good flow properties and uniform drug content. X-ray powder diffraction showed that PZQ remained in its original crystalline state, while differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform-infrared analysis evidenced the formation of chemical interactions among the ingredients. The solubilisation test performed in non-sink condition to reproduce the actual condition in which a child of 4 years takes the medicine revealed that granules quickly formed a very fine suspension in water (dV90=39.9μm). Although after the granulation process the solubility of raw PZQ was not increased, adding the aqueous suspension to 500ml of buffer solution of pH 1.5, simulating the fasted state of a child, 50% of the drug was dissolved after 30min. After granule manipulation with milk and fruit juices, no PZQ degradation was observed during time. Finally, the selected granule formulation provided evidence to be stable even at hot and very humid climate (30°C/75% RH), at least for the examined time.

Effect of Lime Pretreatment on Granulation of Switchgrass

Densification of switchgrass into consistent and high-density solid feedstock will reduce the cost of transport, handling, and storage to produce fuels and chemicals. Development a novel, low-cost densification technology is critical for reducing the delivered cost of feedstock while improving the bulk flow properties of densified products. In this paper, a novel wet granulation technology was proposed to investigate the effect of lime pretreatment on the production of switchgrass granules. Granulation is a process of agglomerating fine powders by wetting powder surfaces with liquid binders and mild application of shear/vibrating forces. Switchgrass was size reduced into fine powders using a knife mill and pretreated with three lime loading rates (0.05, 0.1, 0.2 g/g of biomass) at 121 °C for 30 min and at room temperature (25 °C) for 72 h. The structural modification of pretreated samples was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and autofluorescence microscopy. Pretreated samples were granulated using a pan granulator with pre-formulated starch binder. Granules made from 20 % (0.2 g/g of biomass) lime loading rate had significantly higher single granule density and angle of repose with lower binder requirement than that of untreated granules. Lime treatment did not significantly increase the bulk density and hardness of granules. Lime-treated granules had significantly higher ash content and lower gross calorific value than that of untreated granules. In overall, lime treatment was not attractive to produce granules for thermochemical conversion platform, but lime-treated granules could be used to produce liquid biofuels and platform chemicals in biochemical conversion platform.

Formulation and Evaluation of Bilayer Tablets of Glimepiride and Metformin HCL

The objective of the present investigation was to prepare bilayer tablets of Glimepride and Metformin HCL in combination. Metformin hydrochloride and Glimepiride are oral hypoglycemic drug and effectively used in treatment of diabetes mellitus (type-2 diabetes). The main aim of the present study was to formulate Metformin hydrochloride sustained release and Glimepride immediate release matrix tablets as a dosage form by different polymers such as HPMC, Povidone, Lactose Monohydrate, Ethylcellulose, Microcrystalline Cellulose and study the invitro release patterns of the drug. In the present study bilayer tablets Glimepride prepared by direct compression method and Metformin prepared by wet granulation technology. The prepared tablets were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters such as drug-excipient interaction by FTIR,flow properties, hardness, weight variation, friability, and in vitro dissolution studies optimised based on desired sustained release time (16hrs) and acceptable floating properties The FTIR study revealed that there is no drug-excipient interaction. During preformulation it has been observed that there is no drug- drug and drug excipient interaction, so the excipients which have been selected for the formulation are compatible with the drugs. This system provides zero order or near zero order release for IR layer and SR layer provides Higuchi model.