Abstract

PELLETIZATION: A MOST SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGY IN THE PHARMACEUTICALS

Pathade Shriram Shankar*, Phadtare Dipti Ganesh, Saudagar Ravindra Bhanudas

Abstract

Pelletization is an agglomeration process that converts fine powders or granules of bulk drugs and excipients into small, free flowing, spherical or semi spherical units, referred to as pellets. Pelletization is a technique that enables the formation of spherical beads or pellets with a mean diameter usually ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. These pellets can eventually be coated and very often used in controlledrelease dosage forms. In present times, the Pelletization technologies are giving much attention as they represent an efficient pathway for manufacture of new drug delivery system .It has good advantage over the conventional dosage form as it leads to an improvement in flow ability, appearance and mixing properties thus avoiding for generation of excessive dust and reduces segregation and remove the undesirable properties and improve the physical and chemical properties of fine powder. The aim of this paper is to review some general aspects about pellets and Pelletization and some common techniques used in the pharmaceutical industry. Pellets are prepared by different techniques, such as extrusion and spheronization, rotogranulation, solution, suspension or powder layering, spray-drying or spray-congealing. Several other alternative methods are currently being developed, such as: hot-melt extrusion, freeze Pelletization, emulsion / solvent evaporation, granulation using foamed aqueous binders.

Keywords: Pellets, Pelletization, Granulator, extrusion spheronization, Spray Dryer.