Composite method to quantify powder flow as a screening method in early tablet or capsule formulation development
Open Access
- 1 September 2000
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in AAPS PharmSciTech
- Vol. 1 (3), 20-30
- https://doi.org/10.1208/pt010318
Abstract
The flow properties of typical tablet and capsule formulation excipients, active compounds, and representative formulation blends were tested with current and novel flow measurement techniques to identify a reliable bench test to quantify powder flow as a screening method in early tablet and capsule formulation development. Test methods employed were vibrating spatula, critical orifice, angle of repose, compressibility index, and avalanching analysis. Powder flow results from each method were compiled in a database, sorted, and compared. An empirical composite index was established and powder flow was ranked in accordance with formulator experience. Principal components analyses of the angle of repose, percent compressibility, and critical orifice of the powder materials were also performed. The first principal component accounted for 72.8% of data variability; scores associated with this principal component score can serve as an index of flowability. Data generated from vibrating spatula and avalanching methods were not reproducible and were inconsistent with formulator experience and cited vendor references for flow. Improvements of test instruments and further studies are necessary for better assessment of these approaches.Keywords
This publication has 7 references indexed in Scilit:
- Signal Processing and Analysis Applied to Powder Behavior in a Rotating DrumParticle & Particle Systems Characterization, 1999
- Comparison of the Performance of Two Sample Thieves for the Determination of the Content Uniformity of a Powder BlendPharmaceutical Development and Technology, 1998
- The Release Mechanism of an Oral Controlled-Release Delivery System for IndomethacinPharmaceutical Development and Technology, 1998
- Flow Properties of Selected Pharmaceutical Powders from a Vibrating SpatulaParticle & Particle Systems Characterization, 1994
- Fractal Dimensions in Data Space; New descriptors for fineparticle systemsParticle & Particle Systems Characterization, 1993
- Applied Fractal Geometry and the Fineparticle Specialist. Part I: Rugged boundaries and rough surfacesParticle & Particle Systems Characterization, 1993
- Effect of Glidants in TabletingJournal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1966