New Matrix Tablet from Okra Gum: Effects of Method of Preparation and Gum Concentration on Tablet Properties

Abstract

The objective of this investigation is to study the effect of methods of preparation and concentration of gum on the compressional and mechanical properties of Okra gum matrix. The compressional behavior of Okra gum matrices prepared by direct compression and wet granulations is analyzed using density measurements, Heckel and Kawakita analysis while the mechanical properties of the formulations were assessed using crushing strength (CS) and friability (FR) as well as CSFR ratio. Formulations prepared by direct compression had lower P k values than those prepared by wet granulation while there was no significant difference between P y values of formulations prepared by direct compression and wet granulations. Therefore, formulations prepared by direct compression underwent plastic deformation more easily and rapidly than those prepared by wet granulation. The results show that D B values increased with decrease in concentration of the gum and granules undergo higher degree of fragmentation than powders. Formulations containing 90% w/w Okra gum exhibited the highest amount of total plastic deformation and gave the best packing. Tablets prepared by direct compression showed lower bond strength and higher friability values than those prepared by wet granulations. The crushing strength generally decreases with a decrease in the concentration of the gum while there was an inverse relationship between friability and gum concentration. CSFR decreases with a decrease in gum concentration and tablets prepared by wet granulations showed significantly higher values of CSFR (p < 0.001) than those prepared by direct compression. The results suggest that the concentration of gum and the method of preparation of materials for compression are critical factors in the formulation of Okra gum matrices with acceptable compressional and mechanical properties.