Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria; Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Ab
Franklin-Ude, P.I., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria; Emeje, M.O., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development, National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Abuja, Nigeria; Ofoefule, S.I., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Industrial Pharmacy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Gellan gum was evaluated as a granulating agent in chloroquine phosphate tablet formulations at varying concentrations of 2.5 to 7.5% w/w. Granules were prepared using the wet granulation method. Maize starch and gelatin were employed as reference granulating agents. Prepared granules were evaluated for their micromeritic properties, while the compressed tablets were evaluated for mechanical, disintegration and dissolution properties. The effect of varying concentrations of calcium ion on the mechanical properties of the compressed tablets was also investigated. Results obtained showed that gellan gum exhibited higher binding capacity than maize starch or gelatin. The presence of calcium ions reduced the mechanical properties of the chloroquine phosphate tablets. At 0.4% w/w calcium chloride concentration, tablets with marked reduction in disintegration time and fast dissolution rate without appreciable reduction in mechanical properties were obtained. This concentration was considered to be the optimum for use of calcium chloride as an additive in chloroqinue phosphate tablets containing gellan gum. © 2008 Academic Journals Inc.
calcium chloride; calcium ion; chloroquine; gellan; starch; article; chemical binding; compressive strength; concentration (parameters); controlled study; drug granulation; drug granule; drug screening; drug solubility; maize; tablet compression; tablet disintegration; tablet disintegration time; tablet formulation
