Abstract

EVALUATION OF SORGHUM AND ANDROPOGON MCC AS FILLER-BINDERS IN ACETAMINOPHEN, ASCORBIC ACID OR METRONIDAZOLE TABLETS

J. Alfa*, A. Chukwu and O. K. Udeala

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Abstract

Dilution capacity of Sorghum or Andropogon MCC was evaluated for acetaminophen, ascorbic acid and metronidazole compacts. Empirical study involved binary blends of powder of any of these drugs with either of the new MCC in ratios between 10:90 and 50:50 at incremental and decreasing unit of 10%. Compacts of the blends were made with hydraulic tablet press at pressures of 32.2 – 124.8 mPa. Assessment parameters included bonding capacity, tablet density, friability and tensile strength. All formulations containing less than 20% of either polymeric filler -binder exhibited bonding capacities lower than 500 Kgf/m with capping and low compact densities. However, at concentrations of 30% w/w and above, the derived MCC produced compacts with BC of 1000 – 2210 Kgf/m at compression pressure of 62.4 mPa for acetaminophen and ascorbic acid formulations. Compacts of metronidazole powder blended with the dry binders at concentrations of the later >30% w/w exhibited tensile strength above 1.0 MN/m3 at compression pressures of 93.6 -124.8 mPa. Tablet density increased with concentration of the binders at 30% w/w and above with good friability profiles of less than 2 % and tensile strength above 1.5MN/m3. The new filler-binders derived from Sorghum and Andropogon at 30% w/w and above modulated the deformation profile of acetaminophen, ascorbic acid or metronidazole; from partially plastic /non-plastic to plastic behaviours, with good compact characteristics. It can be inferred that Sorghum and Andropogon stalk could serve as non-woody source of MCC for pharma, food, cosmetic and allied industries.

Keywords: Sorghum, Andropogon, MCC, Filler-binder, non-woody.