CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL COPROCESSED POWDER OF LENTINUS TUBER REGIUM AND POLYVINYLPYROLLIDONE (POVILENT)

Abstract

This study was aimed to formulate and characterize a novel coprocessed excipient (Povilent) from processed Lentinus tuber regium (LTR) and polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP) to improve the flowability and compressibility of LTR. Povilent was produced by blending and co-drying alcoholic dispersions of LTR and PVP powders (70: 30 % w/w). The physico-technical properties of the new powder namely: bulk, tapped and particle densities, angle of repose, flow rate, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, pH, swelling index, hydration capacity and dilution potential were determined in comparison with those of the natural and processed powders of LTR. Results show that the bulk and tapped densities increased insignificantly from the natural to the coprocessed excipients (Povilent> Processed LTR >Natural LTR) (P>0.05) while those of the particle density was very significant (P<0.05). On the other hand, the angle of repose, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio and porosity decreased from the natural to the coprocessed excipients (Natural LTR > Processed LTR >Povilent) (P<0.05). Swelling index was in the order: Natural LTR >Povilent> Processed LTR, though insignificant (P>0.05), while the hydration capacity took the order: Natural LTR > Processed LTR >Povilent (P<0.05). Povilent has a dilution potential of 70-90% (paracetamol), 20-30% (ascorbic acid and metronidazole) respectively. The compacts prepared from both the processed or natural LTR were very friable. Flowability was highly improved in Povilent than the processed powder alone, the natural form not flowable.This shows that the flowability and compressibility of LTR was highly improved by coprocessing it with PVP.