PREDICTION OF PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF A NOVEL POLYSACCHARIDE CONTROLLED-RELEASE SYSTEM .1.

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.