Plant-Derived Formulation Aid for Tablet Binding and Disintegration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing formulation aids for tableting and other applications often face challenges in achieving a balance between properties such as flow, binding capacity, friability, and disintegration time, with many requiring complex combinations of components and processes that are costly and environmentally burdensome.
Innovation Solution
A formulation aid is produced from parenchymal cell wall-containing plant materials through a simple drying and milling process, enhancing the economic and environmental viability while providing improved properties like low friability and effective disintegration capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fine particles are used to achieve high fracture resistance and good binding capacity, then binding capacity and fracture resistance are improved, but flow properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite plant-derived particles comprising cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin in specific ratios (cellulose 20-40%, hemicellulose 15-35%, pectin 15-35%) to achieve both good flow properties and high fracture resistance. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both流动性 and mechanical strength that single-component materials cannot achieve alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes particle size parameters (D10: 10-50 μm, D50: 50-150 μm, D90: 150-300 μm) to achieve a balance between flow properties and binding capacity. By controlling the particle size distribution within specific ranges, the material achieves both good flowability and high fracture resistance without requiring ultra-fine particles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple formulation aids are combined to achieve multiple properties, then functional performance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plant-derived formulation aid performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a bulking agent providing flow properties, as a binder providing fracture resistance, and as a disintegrant providing rapid disintegration. This single-material multi-functionality eliminates the need for pre-blending multiple separate aids, simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving comprehensive functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of multiple traditional formulation aids (bulking agent, binder, disintegrant) into a single plant-derived material. By combining cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin in specific ratios, the material integrates the properties of separate aids, eliminating complex pre-blending processes and reducing manufacturing steps.
3Productivity
If conventional drying processes are used to process plant materials, then production efficiency is improved, but environmental burden and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses low-temperature drying processes (ambient to 60°C) instead of conventional high-temperature drying. This parameter change maintains production efficiency while dramatically reducing energy consumption and environmental burden. The low-temperature process preserves the functional properties of heat-sensitive plant components like pectin and hemicellulose.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes agricultural byproducts (fruit and vegetable pomaces) that would otherwise be discarded or used as low-value animal feed. By transforming these waste materials into high-value formulation aids through simple processing, the invention eliminates the need for energy-intensive production of conventional aids while reducing environmental burden.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The resulting formulation aid exhibits improved hardness, disintegration, and anti-caking properties, making it a versatile and effective alternative for existing aids, particularly suitable for tableting and other applications with conflicting requirements.
Implementation Method 1
drying parenchymal cell wall containing plant material pulp at moderate temperatures (not exceeding 95° C.)
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to new formulation aids, as well as to the production thereof, to the uses thereof and to the formulations comprising them.