This is the third and final part of our series on Granulation basics. Input for this series was provided by Samir Nagar, Manager of Production at Sabinsa’s Utah facility.

Samir has extensive experience in formulation development, large-scale production and quality assurance in the Pharmaceuticals industry, with expertise in sustained release products and spray granulation technology.

In the previous articles in this series, we discussed wet granulation and compaction processes. In the last part of this series, we discuss spray granulation.

Fluid bed processing technology was introduced to rapidly dry powders and granules. The process was modified for granulation and particle coating by the addition of spray nozzles. There are various designs of spray granulation equipment but basically all of them have a coating chamber, air distribution plate and a spray system.

In normal operation material to be granulated is fluidized. Binder solution or solvent is sprayed on the fluidized material. The particles become wet and aggregate with other particles as they become heavy they start falling and roll down on the sides of bowl. This gives them a spherical shape and better density. Particles can be coated with different polymers or actives in polymers and it can be used to modify characteristics of granules.

Lubricants can be added to the granules at the end of the process in the same container making it almost a single step process.

Some of the major advantages of this method include single pot processing, minimal dust and cross contamination issues, close particle size distribution, excellent flow of granules, use of less binder and hence better dissolution. The method is also popular for many fast dissolving products and sustained release products.

The machines are highly automated and hence need minimal human intervention. This makes it easy to reproduce the process without variations.

Sabinsa has SS314 top spray granulators. The equipment can handle aqueous or organic solvents and has HEPA filters for inlet air. HEPA filters filter incoming air of any contaminants.

Sabinsa has successfully granulated a variety of products using this machine. Free trial on customer material for batches under 50 Kg on this machine are available with prior appointments. Sabinsa also helps to formulate products and gives a wide selection of choice for the right granulation technology. Better granules mean better compressibility, better tablet parameters and reproducibility.

 

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Look For Sabinsa Product Ads in the Following Publications This Month

Chemical Market Reporter, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Soap, Perfumery & Cosmetics., Natural Products Insider.

A research article on Tetrahydrocurcuminoids for cosmeceutical use, titled: “Multifunctional Ingredients : The Novel Face of Natural” appears in this month’s issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine.