Evaluation of <i>Beilschmiedia</i> Seed Gum as a Tablet Binder

Abstract

Beilschmiedia gum derived from the edible seeds of Beilschemiedia mannii (family Lauraceae) was evaluated for its binding properties at a concentration range of 0.5-10 % w/w in paracetamol tablets with official gelatin as a control. A comparative analysis showed that the granules bound with Beilschmiedia gum were relatively bigger and harder than the ones obtained with gelatin gum. The hardness, disintegration time and dissolution rate increased with increase in concentration of Beilschmiedia gum. Tablets containing 5 % w/w of Beilschmiedia gum had a binding capacity approximately twice that of gelatin with a dissolution rate of 91 % after 30 min. The results obtained suggest that Beilschmiedia gum possesses potential as a commercial binding agent.

Keywords: Beilschmiedia gum, gelatin, disintegration, dissolution, hardness

East and Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 12 (2009) 15-18