Adansonia Digitata L. Mucilage (Adm) as a Tablet Binder: Effect of Binder Concentration on Shape Factors, Granule Size and Strength

Abstract

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Adansonia digitata mucilage (ADM) as a binder in
Metoprolol tartrate (MPT) tablets. Immediate release tablets were formulated with0.5 and 1% of binder (based on
dry weight) via wet granulation method. After drying, granules were evaluated for flow properties, size& shape
properties via Qicpic and SEM, friability and moisture content. The granules were compressed into 250 mg weight
and the quality of the tablets was assessed for crushing strength, friability, weight variation and disintegration
test.The granules had good flow properties and showed varied size distributions with acceptable shape and
strength.Visual imaging also revealed granules of acceptable quality.The corresponding formulationswere uniform
in weight and non-friable with good hardness. The batch F2, formulated with 0.5 % w/w ADM showed better binder
spread through the powder bed which translated into granules with a more uniform size distribution that
corresponded well with SEM images and granule shape properties. The disintegration time used as an index for
release profile was faster for this batch 5.39 ± 0.11 min. Adansonia digitata mucilage was found to be an effective
binder via wet granulation at 0.5 % w/w in Metoprolol tartrate tablets with good hardness (5.2 KgF). Thus, a
potential of low material cost, tablet size, adequate strength is evident with this novel binder ADM.