Micromeritics
Micromeritics
M. Pharm., Ph. D
Department of Pharmaceutics
Faculty of Pharmacy
Omer Al-Mukhtar University
Tobruk, Libya.
E-mail: [email protected]
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CONTENTS
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Micromeritics
Definition: It is the science and technology of
small particles.
The unit of particle size used in the
micrometer (m), micron () and equal to 10 -6
m.
As particle size decreases , area increases
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Micromeritics
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Micromeritics
Micromeritics is the science and technology of small
particles. Knowledge and control of the size and the
size range of particles are of significant importance in
pharmacy because the size and surface area of a
particle related to the physical, chemical and
pharmacologic properties of a drug.
The particle size of a drug can affect its release from
dosage forms that are administered orally,
parenterally, rectally and topically.
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Micromeritics
In the area of tablet and capsule manufacture,
control of the particle size is essential in
achieving the necessary flow properties and
proper mixing of granules and powders.
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Particle Size
The size of a sphere is readily expressed in terms of its
diameter.
The Surface diameter, ds, is the diameter of a sphere having
the same surface area as the particle.
The Volume diameter, dv, is the diameter of a sphere having
the same volume as the particle.
The Projected diameter, dp, is the projected diameter of a
sphere having the same observed area as the particle.
The Stokes diameter, dst, is the diameter which describes an
equivalent sphere undergoing sedimentation at the same rate
as the asymmetric particle.
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Particle Size
Any collection of particles is usually polydisperse. It
is therefore necessary to know not only the size of a
certain particle, but also how many particles of the
same size exist in the sample.
Thus, we need an estimate of the size range present
and the number or weight fraction of each particle
size.
This is the particle-size distribution and from it we
can calculate an average particle size for the sample.
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Micromeritics Applications
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4.
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Physical stability
The particle size in a formulation influences
the physical stability of the suspensions and
emulsions.
Smaller the size of the particle, better the
physical stability of the dosage form.
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Dose uniformity
Good flow properties of granules and powders
are important in the manufacturing of tablets
and capsules.
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Particle size
1 m
1 100 m
50 m
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Method
Electron microscope,
ultracentrifuge, adsorption
Optical microscope,
sedimentation, coulter
counter, air permeability
Sieving
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Optical microscopy
(range: 0.2-100 m)
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Optical microscopy
(range: 0.2-100 m)
According to the optical microscopic method, an
emulsion or suspension is mounted on ruled
slide on a mechanical stage.
The microscope eyepiece is fitted with a
micrometer by which the size of the particles can
be estimated.
The ordinary microscope used for measurement
the particle-size in the range of 0.2 to about 100
m.
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Disadvantage of
microscopic method
1. The diameter is obtained from only two
dimensions of the particle.
2. The number of particles that must be counted
(300-500) to obtain a good estimation of the
distribution makes the method somewhat
slow and tedious.
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Sieving
(range: 40-9500 m)
Standard size sieves are
available to cover a wide
range of size.
These sieves are designed to
sit in a stack so that material
falls through smaller and
smaller meshes until it
reaches a mesh which is too
fine for it to pass through.
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Sieving
(range: 40-9500 m)
The
stack
of
sieves
is
mechanically shaken to promote
the passage of the solids.
The fraction of the material
between pairs of sieve sizes is
determined by weighing the
residue on each sieve.
The result achieved will depend on
the duration of the agitation and
the manner of the agitation.
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Sedimentation
(range: 0.08-300 m)
By
measuring
the
terminal settling velocity
of particles through a
liquid medium in a
gravitational centrifugal
environment
using
Andreasen appartus.
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Density of powders
Density is defined as weight per unit volume
(W/V).
During tapping, particles gradually pack more
efficiently, the powder volume decreases and the
tapped density increases.
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Types of Density
1. True density: The true density or absolute
density of a sample excludes the volume of
the pores and voids within the powder
sample.
2. Bulk density: The bulk density value
includes the volume of all of the pores within
the powder sample.
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Carrs compressibility
index
A volume of powder is filled into a graduated glass
cylinder and repeatedly tapped for a known
duration. The volume of powder after tapping is
measure.
Tapped density- Poured or bulk density
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Flow description
% Compressibility
Excellent flow
5 15
Good
16 18
Fair
19 21
Poor
22 35
Very Poor
36 -40
Extremely poor
40
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Hausner ratio
Tapped density
Hausner ratio =
Poured or bulk density
Hausner ratio
friction:
was
related
to
interparticle
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Hausner ratio
The powder with low interparticle friction, such as
coarse spheres.
Value greater than 1.5 indicates poor flow (= 33%
Carrs Compressibility Index)).
More cohesive, less free-flowing powders such as
flakes.
Between 1.25 and 1.5 added glidant normally
improves flow.
1.5 added glidant doesnt improve flow.
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Derived properties of
powders
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References
1. Text book of Physical Pharmaceutics by CVS
Subramanyam.
2. Text book of Physical Pharmacy By Albert
Martin.
3. www.google.com.
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Questions?
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E-mail: [email protected]
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