Direct Compression Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose and Its Silicified Product

J Alfa; M A Odeniyi; K T Jaiyeoba

J Alfa Pharmaceutical Services Division, National Assembly Complex, Arms Zone, P.O. Box 5985, Garki, Abuja, Nigeria
M A Odeniyi Department of Pharmaceutics & Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, P.O. Box 14106, Ibadan, Nigeria
K T Jaiyeoba Department of Pharmaceutics & Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, P.O. Box 14106, Ibadan, Nigeria

Keywords: Metronidazole, tablets, direct compression, Silicified Microcrystalline cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose

Abstract

The influence of silicified microcrystalline cellulose (SMCC) on the flow,
compaction and tableting properties of metronidazole powder was investigated. The
study compared medium grades of both SMCC and standard microcrystalline
cellulose (MCC) as direct compressible excipients. The bulk densities, Hausner
quotient (Hi), compressibility index (CI) and angle of repose of the formulations
were evaluated. Compacts of the metronidazole containing different concentrations
of SMCC or MCC (10-30 Oh wlw) were made at compression forces of 20 to 30 KN
and evaluated for their physical characteristics. The flow behaviour of the drug was
improved in the presence of SMCC. Formulations containing 25 % wlw SMCC had
lower CI and Hi values than those made with 30 Oh wlw MCC. The crushing
strength of the compacts increased with concentration of the excipients at all the
compression forces used. At similar concentrations of SMCC and MCC, compacts
of the formulations containing SMCC exhibited higher crushing strengths. SMCC
shows great promise as a filler-binder-disintegrant in direct compression of oral
tablet formulations from both mechanical and economic viewpoints.