OPTIMIZATION OF THE GRANULATION PROCESS FOR DESIGNING TABLETS

A computer optimization technique based on surface response methodolog y was applied to optimize the wet granulation process for designing ta blets. Physical properties (mean granule size, granule size distributi on, compressibility, granule strength) of a model granule formulation containing ethenzamide were accurately described by a second polynomia l equation based on two independent variables (amounts of binder and b inder solution). This regression equation also gave a good correlation for three physical properties of tablets (disintegration time, compac tibility, compression force variance), but the correlation for tablet hardness and weight variation was poor, These results imply that not o nly the above physical properties of granules but also the rheological behavior and porous structure of granules are closely related to tabl et properties. Using an optimization of five tablet properties using t he generalized distance function, the predicted values of the physical properties of both granules and tablets agreed well with experimental values. This agreement indicates that the computer optimization techn ique is useful for optimizing the granulation process for designing ta blets.