Response surface analysis applied to the preparation of tablets containinga high concentration of vegetable spray-dried extract

This work relates to the formulation of tablets containing a high proportio n of spray-dried extracts (SDEs) from Passiflora edulis leaves. The tablets were prepared by direct compression. Colloidal silicon dioxide was selecte d asa glidant and moisture adsorbent, cross-linked carboxymethycellulose wa s used as the disintegrant microcrystalline cellulose was the filler/binder and tricalcium phosphate as a spray-drying adjuvant. The colloidal silicon dioxide and cross-linked carboxymethycellulose quantities and their influe nces on the tablet hardness and disintegration time were studied by a centr al composite design. The model equations were fitted to the experimental da ta and then validated It could be concluded that the colloidal silicon diox ide proportion increased the hardness, and the cross-linked carboxymethycel lulose proportion determined a linear deer-ease of the disintegration time. The optimal values chosen were 2.0% Aerosil(R) 200 and 2.5% Ac-Di-Sol(R). The tablets showed a hardness of 85.02 N and a disintegration time of 7.35 min.