Use of 3-D modelling in early development phase of pectin tablets

Abstract

This study examines the contribution of the 3-D model in an early development set-up for pectin tablets. Therefore, the aim of this work is to extract as much information on the compression behaviour from as few tablets as possible. Pectins with various degrees of methoxylation (DM) were studied (4-72%). The compressibility was evaluated by classical “in-die” Heckel and Kawakita analyses in addition to the 3-D modelling. For validation purposes well-known reference materials were included. 3-D modelling applied on data of single tablets yielded a certain degree of information on the compressibility. When several tablets with different maximum relative densities were included, no additional information was gained in the classical evaluation, whereas the 3D-model provided additional information through the shape of the 3-D parameter plot: pectins with a DM ? 25% consolidated predominantly by elastic deformation similarly to the 3-D parameter plot of pregelatinized starch (PGS). The 3-D analysis also suggests some degree of fragmentation, and for some of the low-methoxylated pectins (DM ? 10%) viscoelastic deformation. This study showed that by application of 3-D modelling it is possible to differentiate elastic and viscoelastic materials, if tablets of different maximum relative densities are evaluated.