5. Isolation, characterisation and compaction properties of Acacia sieberiana gum in chloroquine and metronidazole tablet formulations

In this research the compaction characteristics of a purified Acacia sieberiana gum were evaluated using various particle size fractions to improve functionality of the gum. The flow rate, angle of repose and the compressibility index of the size fractions were found to conform to standard specifications. The compressibility (densification) of different particle size, fractions was investigated at a low compression pressure. The compactibility studies revealed that radial tensile strength of the gum increases with increase in compression pressure. The compactness was found to increase with decrease in particle size. The effect of concentration of the gum on compactness of directly compressed tablets revealed a decrease in compactness with decrease in concentration of the gum. The chloroquine – gum matrices compacted at a lower pressure than the metronidazole – gum matrices. Average radial tensile strengths of the former (highly soluble drug) were found to be higher than those of the latter (poorly soluble drug). The gum was found to form good compact with both highly soluble and poorly soluble drugs at low compression pressure.