The influence of stevia on the flow, shear and compression behavior of sorbitol, a pharmaceutical excipient for direct compression

Abstract

Good flow and compaction properties are necessary for the manipulation of particulate material in the pharmaceutical industry. The influence of the addition of an alternative sweetener, rebaudioside A, in a concentration 0.2% w/w and 0.5% w/w on the flow, shear and compaction properties of sorbitol for direct compaction, Merisorb 200, was investigated in this work. Rebaudioside A worsened the flow properties of sorbitol: the Hausner ratio, the compressibility index and the mass flow rate through the aperture of a model hopper. Using a Jenike shear cell revealed a significant increase in cohesion leading to the decrease of the flow function; moreover, the addition of rebaudioside A increased the total energy for compression of tablets and plasticity estimated by the force-displacement method. Finally, the tablets showed a higher tensile strength and needed longer time to disintegrate compared to the tablets made of sorbitol itself. In view of the results for the free-flowable excipient, sorbitol, the effects of stevia even for a 0.2% w/w concentration have to be carefully considered, particularly whenever used in pharmaceutical formulations of poor flow properties.

Surface Modifiers on Composite Particles for Direct Compaction

“…It was demonstrated that the materials for DC must possess good flowability, excellent compactibility, high bulk density, and low lubricant sensitivity, etc. [ 5 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Recent studies have demonstrated that less than 20% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and a small number of commercially available excipients can be effectively manufactured into tablets using DC [ 8 , 9 , 14 , 15 , 18 ].…”

Analysis of Static Angle of Repose With Respect to Powder Material Properties

“…The static AoR is determined by using an experimental apparatus with a funnel-defined geometry through which the experimental material is poured. The falling material is collected on a defined circular pad under the funnel (fixed-base) or is loosely poured onto a plate (free-base) with the individual layers of material forming a steep pile (cone) [6]. The dynamic angle is determined by a rotating drum in which the material under investigation is reformed by the effect of rotation as by an avalanche.…”