PREFORMULATION IN EXTRUSION-SPHERONIZATION - BEHAVIORAL-STUDY OF 2 MICROCEL(R) CELLULOSE GRADES

In the field of preformulation concerning the development of pharmaceu tical pharmaceutical pellets by means of extrusion/spheronization, the preceding works agree in underlining the interest in the use of cellu lose derivatives as ''charge excipients''. In this work, the authors s tudy the physical characterization as well as the behaviour of two com mercial varieties of cellulosic compounds. Under the experimental cond itions tested, the feasibility of spheronization was demonstrated for both products. The yield of microcrystalline cellulose was almost twic e that of the powder variety for the same size fraction. The plastic c haracteristic of the first derivative seem to constitute a fundamental property put two work during the humidification step that precedes th e extrusion. Since the physical properties studied have not led to a m eaningful differentiation, further research is required, specifically into the solid/liquid interface relation. This relation should allow t he understanding of technological behaviour differences between the tw o ''physically identical''. This will enable further aid studies of pr eformulation.