Improving Colour Uniformity in Tablets

Colour uniformity in tablets made from direct compression formulations is important to the Pharmaceutical Industry and their customers. Colour uniformity can be affected by the degree to which various colouring agents are dispersed in formulations during bulk compounding. Typically, a V-Blender is used for the bulk compounding of ingredients with aluminum lake dye. The product coming from the Blender tends to be mottled (unequal distribution of colour on the tablet surface) when compressed. Traditional size reduction techniques such as Hammermills tend to be too aggressive, thereby increasing the adhesion between the lake and its carrier. Once formed, these units cannot be broken down when the formulation is mixed resulting in more intense coloured “peppery” spots in the final product. The tumbling action of the V-Blender with an intermediate oscillating step does not produce adequate mixing. The gentle action of the Quadro^® Comil^® is able to fully disperse the lake in the final formulation without causing adhesion of the lake and its carrier. The result is improved colour quality in the final compressed product and virtual elimination of either “peppery”/white spots.

 

The Quadro Comil is constructed of stainless steel and is available in ten (10) models, providing capacities from lab scale size up to 100,000 lbs/hr (45,454 kg/hr) or 1,666 lbs/min.

 

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