Am. Dyer et al., EFFECT OF THE DRYING METHOD ON THE MECHANICAL AND DRUG-RELEASE PROPERTIES OF PELLETS PREPARED BY EXTRUSION-SPHERONIZATION, Drug development and industrial pharmacy, 20(20), 1994, pp. 3045-3068
Many pelletization processing variables are capable of influencing the
fundamental properties of pellets. This study was designed to elucida
te the effect of the drying technique on the mechanical and skeletal p
roperties of spheronized particles. Although much has been reported on
the effect of the formulation and processing variables associated wit
h extrusion and spheronization, little attention has been paid to the
nature and length of the subsequent drying process. Pellets were prepa
red containing either 80%w/w ibuprofen or 80%w/w lactose with 20%w/w m
icrocrystalline cellulose. The resulting spherical pellets were dried
either by tray drying or fluidized-bed drying. This work has revealed
that the drying technique has a quantifiable effect on the diametral c
rushing strength and elasticity of the pellets, their in-vitro drug re
lease and a qualitative effect on the surface characteristics of ibupr
ofen pellets.