1987 Volume 35 Issue 4 Pages 1624-1628
The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) powder on the formation of pellets of lactose, paracetamol and phenacetin was studied. The high water-solubility and affinity of lactose for water affect pellet growth and properties. Lactose pelletised with PVP powder resulted in some non-wetting of the PVP powder and hence pellet growth was restricted. In the case of phenacetin, a hydrophobic material, pellet growth increased markedly with PVP concentration. This is also attributed to the large viscosity build-up in some regions of the feed material in the pelletiser dish, giving rise to large pellets being formed. Balling of the feed material occurs resulting in an increase in pellet growth. Pelletisation of mixtures of varying proportions of the feed materials showed that the properties of pellets assumed those of the major component.
