Application of a hydrophilic biopolymer obtained from <i>Pennisetum glaucum</i> seed fibre as binder in Albendazole chewable tablet formulation

Abstract

Natural polymers with enhanced binding properties in tablet formulation continue to be highly sought over synthetic materials. This  study aims to evaluate the binding properties of a hydrophilic biopolymer derived from the modification of the seed fibre of Pennisetum  glaucum (TP) in the manufacture of albendazole chewable tablets. Dry TP seeds were steeped in water for 24h, washed, wet milled, and  the fibre separated from the starch by washing slurry with water through a muslin cloth. Fibre of TP was dried at 60°C, screened through  180µm sieve (TP-NF). An 800 g of TPNF was dispersed in 3.0L of 3.5% w/v sodium hypochlorite for 30 min, washed with distilled water to  neutral pH, dispersed in 90% v/v ethanol for 10 min and dried at 60°C (TP-MC). The fibre was classified (180µm) and characterised using  standard methods. Albendazole tablets were formulated using 5, 7.5, 10 and 15% w/w of the biopolymers by wet granulation. Avicel PH  101 was used as comparing standard binder. The dried albendazole granules were micromeritically evaluated while tablets made from  the granules were evaluated for their physical properties, assay and dissolution studies. TP-MC powder flowed and compressed better  than TP-NF, while albendazole granules had better flow and compressibility than TP-NF and TPMC. The albendazole tablets were fairly  strong and varied minimally in weight. Friability was <1%, and > 80% of albendazole was released from the tablets within 15 min. TP-MC  served more effectively than TP-NF and compared favourably with Avicel PH 101 as binder in the formulation of albendazole tablets.