Mj. Tobyn et al., PREDICTION OF PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL POLYSACCHARIDE CONTROLLED-RELEASE SYSTEM .1., International journal of pharmaceutics, 128(1-2), 1996, pp. 113-122
TIMERx is a novel polysaccharide-based controlled release matrix techn
ology. The matrix consists of the synergistically interacting polysacc
harides xanthan gum and locust bean gum in the presence of a third com
ponent, often dextrose, and other tertiary components. The physical pr
operties and compression characteristics of this system were studied u
sing conventional characterisation equipment and by the assessment of
the tensile strength of compacts produced on an instrumented tablet pr
ess. The granulation method had a profound influence on granule proper
ties and compact strength. Dry mixing of the relevant components led t
o the production of weak compacts. Granulation in a fluid bed granulat
or produced hollow granules of low bulk density which produced relativ
ely weak compacts. Only high speed mixer granulation produced tablets
with the strength required for pharmaceutical processing. Subsequent s
tudies indicated that the nature and concentration of secondary and te
rtiary components added to the granulation can further influence the n
ature of granules produced and tablets manufactured from them. The par
ticle size of granules, and the distribution around the mean, also app
ear to be important. It is concluded that the physical properties of g
ranules and tablet depend on a number of factors not easily delineated
using conventional statistics.