Explore the innovational tablets with cranberry extract
Cranberry extract is widely recognized for its role in promoting urinary tract health, especially in helping prevent recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. Its effectiveness is largely attributed to proanthocyanidins (PACs), which inhibit the adhesion of Escherichia coli to the urinary tract lining. As consumer demand for convenient dosage forms grows, Cranberry extract is now commonly formulated into tablets, gummies, softgels, and hard capsules, typically within the 48–400 mg daily dosage range.
However, working with botanical extracts is often challenging—especially when they exhibit high hygroscopicity. Budenheim has partnered with IMCD, who supplied the Cranberry extract by manufacturer Network Nutrition, to develop a robust, high-quality direct compression (DC) tablet formulation using PharSQ® calcium phosphate excipients. The goal was to overcome the flow, density, and processing issues typically associated with hygroscopic herbal materials.
Challenges of Cranberry Extract in Tablet Manufacturing
The supplied Cranberry extract was characterized by:
- High hygroscopicity, leading to:
- Poor powder flow
- Sticking during processing
- Low bulk density (0.4 g/mL)
- High angle of repose: 47°, classified as poor flowability
- Particle size distribution (Dv50 ~ 39 μm)
Together, these properties made the extract unsuitable for direct compression without functional excipient support.
PharSQ® Calcium Phosphate Solutions
To address the extract’s challenges, three calcium phosphate materials were evaluated for their roles as diluents and glidants:
PharSQ® Flow T 200
Glidant for DC & granulation
- 70% maltodextrin carrier; very hygroscopic
- High specific surface area (~66 m²/g)
- Neutral pH
- No dust formation
- Typical use level: 0.5–1.5%
- Bulk density: 0.2 g/mL
- Particle size: d50 = 4 µm
PharSQ® Coarse A 60
Diluent with brittle deformation behavior
- Excellent flow, round particles
- Very high bulk density (1.3 g/mL)
- Very low porosity
- Specific surface area: ~0.25 m²/g
- Particle size: d50 = 60 µm
PharSQ® Coarse T 500
Diluent with plastic deformation behavior
- Coarse, spherical particles
- High porosity; excellent flow
- Specific surface area: ~85 m²/g
- Particle size: d50 = 100 µm
- Bulk density: 0.5 g/mL
Together, these materials provide synergistic compaction behavior—a known advantage when combining brittle and plastically deforming diluents.
Objectives of the Study
- Improve flowability of the Cranberry extract using calcium phosphates
- Mitigate hygroscopicity-related problems including sticking and segregation
- Develop a DC Cranberry tablet formulation using only calcium phosphates as diluents
Formulation Design
| Ingredient | mg (%) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Cranberry extract | 600.0 (60%) | ANI |
| PharSQ® Flow T 200 | 10.0 (1%) | Glidant |
| PharSQ® Coarse A 60 | 200.0 (20%) | Brittle diluent |
| PharSQ® Coarse T 500 | 150.0 (15%) | Plastic diluent |
| Croscarmellose sodium | 30.0 (3%) | Disintegrant |
| Magnesium stearate | 10.0 (1%) | Lubricant |
Powder Performance: From Poor to Excellent Flowability
- Angle of repose reduced from 47° → 28°
(Excellent)
- Significantly better performance than colloidal silica (34°), which also tended to agglomerate
- No sticking and no segregation observed
Dramatically improved flow by incorporating just 1% PharSQ® Flow T 200
PharSQ® Coarse A 60 increased the bulk density of the blend from 0.4 → 0.6 g/mL, enhancing uniform die filling, critical for DC.
Manufacturing Evaluation
Process
- Mixing at 32 rpm
- Sieving (1.0 mm → 0.5 mm)
- Tableting on rotary press (Fette), 18 × 9 mm oblong punch
- Speeds: 30 & 60 rpm
- Compaction forces: 25 & 30 kN
Tablet Results (at 60 rpm)
Mechanical Strength
- Breaking force:
- 103 N at 25 kN
- 198 N at 30 kN
- Strong increase with higher compaction force
- No capping or lamination observed
Friability
- 0.05% at 25 kN
- 0.02% at 30 kN
- Both well below the 0.1% threshold
- Enabled by brittle–plastic synergy of A 60 + T 500
Disintegration
- Approx. 15–16 minutes
- Slight increase at higher compaction force
Tablet Thickness
- 6.84 mm at 25 kN
- 6.61 mm at 30 kN
Conclusion: A Successful Direct Compression Solution
The study clearly demonstrated that PharSQ® calcium phosphate excipients are highly effective in addressing the challenges of hygroscopic botanical extracts. Key outcomes include:
- Fully successful DC Cranberry tablet formulation using only calcium phosphates as diluents
- Significant improvement in flowability (angle of repose 47° → 28°)
- Better flow performance than colloidal silica
- Elimination of sticking, capping, and lamination
- Densification of the blend via Coarse A 60
- Robust mechanical properties with friability < 0.1%
- Successful tableting at both 30 and 60 rpm
This collaborative project by Budenheim and Network Nutrition with IMCD demonstrates the value of PharSQ® calcium phosphates in enabling reliable, high-performance DC formulations.
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