Design of kaffir lime peel extract tablets by direct compression: Effects of filler-binder on rheological properties

Abstract

Dried kaffir lime peels from Citrus hystrix were extracted with ethanol by maceration method, followed by solvent evaporation to obtain dry extract. Due to economical aspect and good flow properties of the extract, a direct compression method was applied in making the tablets. The main objective of this study was to study the influence of filler-binder (Avicel PH 102, Emcompress and Lactose) on rheological properties of kaffir lime peel extract tablet dough. Firstly, kaffir lime peel extract was prepared by peeling, cutting and drying kaffir lime peels prior to soaking them to ethanol. After separating the solid part, the extract was subsequently concentrated and filler was added into the crude extract to obtain dry product. Secondly, dry extract was then combined with filler-binder, sweetener and lubricant prior to the compression. Rheological properties evaluated in this study were density, flow time, the Carr index and the Hausner ratio. Thirdly, the best formulation dough was compressed to produce tablets. From the results, it can be concluded that ethanol is the best solvent to extract polyphenols from kaffir lime peels. In addition, the use of a mixture of lactose and Avicel PH 102 as the filler-binder agent exhibited the best formulation.