Partic. vol. 53 pp. 192-196 (December 2020)
doi: 10.1016/j.partic.2020.06.001

The influence of porosity on tablet subdivision

Maíra T. Teixeira^a, Livia L. Sa-Barreto^a, Izabel C. Silva^a, Tais Gratieri^a, Guilherme M. Gelfuso^a, Ricardo N. Marreto^b, Mariana Landin^c, Marcilio Cunha-Filho^a,*

marciliofarm@hotmail.com

Abstract

A tablet microstructure, especially the porosity, is a crucial parameter that influences the mechanical properties. Herein, tablet subdivisions were studied as a function of tablet porosity. The tablets were manufactured in the presence of different diluents, namely microcrystalline cellulose, Ludipress®, or lactose monohydrate. Furthermore, the addition of Camphor was investigated, which was thereafter sublimated with a view of obtaining tablets having varying degrees of porosity. Microstructural assays were correlated to the subdivision performance. The increase in porosity reduced the hardness and increased the tablet friability, adversely impacting the subdivision. For all the excipients, an increase in relative porosity >90% represented the threshold level from which an inadequate subdivision occurred. The increase in tablet porosity led to a reduction in mechanical resistance, which, combined with a heterogeneous and discontinuous distribution of pores within the matrix, resulted in poor subdivision results. Controlling tablet porosity is an important consideration when designing tablets having a subdivision purpose.

Keywords

Tablet subdivision; Porosity; Mass variation; Mass loss; Friability; Hardness