The effect of formulation additives on the properties of films prepared using Terminalia randii Baker F Gum

Background: Natural polymers are becoming useful excipients in pharmaceutical formulations due to their non-toxic and biodegradable properties. One of their common uses is in the manufacture of polymeric films.Objective: This present work is to evaluate the effect of plasticizer type and polymer type on the properties of Terminalia films.Method: Films were prepared by solvent casting method using Terminalia, xanthan gums and hydroxylpropy lmethylcellulose (HPMC). Terminlia was also combined with xanthan, HPMC at different ratios using propylene glycol and glycerol as plaasticizers. The films were characterized using adherence, folding endurance and mechanical properties were determined using tensile strength and percent elongation. Disintegration was carried out in a disintegration apparatus using distilled water, 0.1M HCl (pH 1.2) and phosphate buffer pH 6.8.Result: Films prepared with Terminalia and those prepared by combining Terminalia and xanthan gums showed adherence. Films plasticized with glycerol had higher folding endurance and tensile strength. When HPMC was combined with Terminalia, the disintegration of the films produced was significantly (p<0.05) reduced at pH 6.8Conclusion: Glycerol plasticizer produced films with optimal properties, while combination of Terminalia gum and HPMC, produced films with optimal properties. Therefore, plasticizer and polymer must be carefully chosen for film formulations.Keywords: Film, Plasticizer, Terminalia gum, Polymers, Tensile strength, Fold enduranc

Characterizations of Alpha-Cellulose and Microcrystalline Cellulose Isolated from Cocoa Pod Husk as a Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient

Cellulose is a non-toxic, bio-degradable, and renewable biopolymer which is abundantly available in nature. The most common source of commercial microcrystalline cellulose is fibrous wood pulp. Cellulose and its derivatives have found wide commercial applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, paper, textile, and engineering industries. This study aims to isolate and characterize cellulose forms from cocoa pod husk (CPH) and to assess its mechanical and disintegration properties as a direct compression excipient in metronidazole tablets. Two isolated cellulose types (i.e., cocoa alpha-cellulose (CAC) and cocoa microcrystalline cellulose (C-MCC)) were compared with avicel (AV). CAC and C-MCC were characterized for their physicochemical properties using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). Metronidazole tablets were produced by direct compression with cellulose. The mechanical and disintegration properties of the tablets were evaluated. CAC and C-MCC yield was 42.3% w/w and 38.25% w/w, respectively. Particle diameters were significantly different with CAC (282.22 μm) > C-MCC (161.32 μm) > AV (72.51 μm). CAC and C-MCC had a better flow than AV. SEM revealed the fibrous nature of the cellulose. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of cellulose with crystallinity index of 69.26%, 43.83%, and 26.32% for AV, C-MCC, and CAC, respectively. C-MCC and AV are more crystalline and thermally stable at high temperatures compared to CAC. The mechanical and disintegration properties of C-MCC and AV tablets complied with pharmacopeia specifications. Taken together, C-MCC isolated from CPH displayed some fundamental characteristics suitable for use as a pharmaceutical excipient and displayed better properties compared to that of AV