Inclusion of Spirulina in Floating Fish Feed Production: Protein and Physical Quality

The objective of this study was to investigate effects of Spirulina meal (SM) inclusion in fish feed formulations on their physical and protein content. Four formulations of fish feed were carried out i.e. a control diet with fishmeal (FM) as the single protein source and three others formulations containing Spirulina meal (SM) ingredient in different ratios of FM: SM (w/w) namely 75:25; 50:50 and 25:75 (w/w). All the formulations were processed into pellets using an extruder with a 600 rpm screw speed, 100 °C barrel temperature, and 3 mm diameter of dies. The dried pellets were then evaluated with respect to the protein content and physical properties i.e. expansion ratio, unit density, floatability and hardness. In general, the most optimum pellet formulation was found at the ratio of 25:75 (FM: SM) ingredients resulted in pellet with higher protein (38.89%) and expand ratio (1.65 fold), the lowest unit density (0.473 mg/mm3), the highest floatability (100%) and less hardness (32.53 N). Therefore, formulation of floating fish feed included with Spirulina are an option for improving its protein content and physical properties.

Factors affecting performance and manufacturability of naproxen Liqui-Pellet

Aim Liqui-Pellet is potentially an emerging next-generation oral pill, which has shown promising results with unique advantages as well as displaying potential for commercial feasibility. Since Liqui-Pellet technology is still in its infancy, it is important to explore the parameters that can affect its performance, particularly the drug release rate. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate thoroughly the effect of Avicel PH101 (carrier) and Aerosil 300 (coating material) ratio (R-value) in Liqui-Pellet. Methods Key parameter for Liqui-Pellet formulation in this study was the ratio of carrier and coating material. Tests were carried out to assess the physicochemical properties of different formulations. This involved looking into particle size, robustness, flowability, solid-state and drug release profile. The morphology of Liqui-Pellet was investigated by SEM. Results It is found that R-value does not have a major effect on the success of Liqui-Pellet production. However, R-value does seem to have an effect on Liqui-Pellet size at a certain water content level and a slight effect on the drug release rate. A decrease in Avicel PH101 concentration and an increase in Aerosil 300 concentration in Liqui-Pellet formulations can reduce Liqui-Pellet size and slightly increase drug release rate by 9% after 2 h. The data shows Liqui-Pellet is resistant to friability, able to achieve exceptional flow property and have smooth surfaces, which is critical for applying coatings technology. Such properties are ideal in terms of commercial manufacturing. The XRPD and DSC both show the reduction in formulation crystallinity, which is expected in Liqui-Pellet formulation as a result of solubility of the drug in the co-solvent used in the preparation of Liqui-Pellets. Conclusion Overall it seems that R-value can affect Liqui-Pellet drug release rate and size but not on the production success rate. Graphical abstract

Systematic Development of Bicalutamide Immediate Release Pellets using Aeroperl and Non-MCC Extruder aid

Background: The Microcrystalline Cellulose is called as a gold standard for the manufacture of pellets. The poor disintegration leads to incomplete drug release restricts the use of MCC in the immediate-release formulation. Objective: The present work aims to explore non-MCC extruder aid for pellet formulation and solubility modulation potential of Aeroperl® 300 Pharma. Methods: Bicalutamide (BCL) was selected as a model BCS class-II drug. The solubility of BCL was assessed in different vehicles like polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and Tween by carrying out phase solubility study. The suitable vehicle was selected based on the higher solubility of BCL. The vehicle was further adsorbed on newer adsorbent Aeroperl® 300 Pharma to formulate liquisolid granules. The liquisolid granules were further incorporated into the pellet using mannitol and microcrystalline cellulose as an extruder aid. Box-Behnken design was adopted for optimization of formulation considering MCC: mannitol ratio, concentration of HPMC and spheronizer speed as independent factors whereas drug release at 30 min, disintegration time and aspect ratio were selected as dependent variables. The pellets were evaluated for different evaluation parameters. Results: Propylene glycol was selected for the formulation of liquisolid technique based on the results of the phase solubility study. Propylene glycol containing BCL was adsorbed on Aeroperl 300 Pharma. The optimized batch was selected exploring the Design-Expert software by considering limits of different responses. Pellet had excellent flowability. Friability was found to be within the range (<1%). Pellets were found to be spherical and had pores on the surfaces. Conclusion: Liquisolid granules containing newer solubilizer Aeroperl was found to be a promising approach for the improvement in the solubility of the drug. The use of mannitol with MCC has a profound effect on disintegration time, without altering flow property and other parameters. No patents were reported on the combination of Bicalutamide, mannitol and Aeroperl. The critical finding of the present work is to use mannitol as an extruder aid to fasten the disintegration leads to complete drug release within a short period of time. Aeroperl and Mannitol, MCC: mannitol ratio, concentration of HPMC and spheronizer speed was found to be significant and had the potential effect in pellet formulation.

Pellet Formulation of Trichoderma Isolated from Aceh with Potential for Biocontrol of Phytophthora Sp. on Cacao Sedlings

Molleculler study was conducted to identify several species of Trichoderma isolate from several plant (Pine, Cacao, Gliceria, Nutmeg, Bamboo, Coffee, Potato). The growth of eight species Trichodermaafter pelleting formulation has been observed. Pellet Trichoderma harzianum have good ability to growth on PDA medium after 4 weeks storage. Base on their mycelium diameter growth on PDA, T. harzianum have selected as potential species on pellet formulation growth. Several dose of pellet formulation have been applied for controlling Phythopthora disease. The application of T. harzianum pellets in the form of a 2 g / 100 ml (S1) suspension effective in inhibiting the development of Phytophthora sp in cacao seedlings, when the higher concentrations of T. harzianum pellets applied to cacao seeds,the disease severity increase. Pellet Trichoderma could be use as biological control agent of cacao seedling in certain dosage.

Systematic Scrutinisation of Vital Factors for Fabrication and Evaluation of PGS-MCC Based Drug Loaded Pellets by Extrusion Spheronization Technique

Objective: The prime objective was to formulate pellet formulation incorporating a newer extrusion- pelletisation aid, Pregelatinised Starch (PGS) and to scrutinise the factors that can affect the quality of the pellets and to overcome the slower disintegration of Microcrystaline Cellulose (MCC). Methods: Pellets were prepared initially using PGS, MCC, water, ethanol, HPMC K 4 M and Febuxostat was employed as model drug. Optimisation of formulation was done by employing Quality by design (QbD) and Design of experiment (DoE) approach. Ratio of PGS and MCC, ratio of binder and spheronisation speed were selected as independent variables and disintegration time and % cumulative drug release as dependent variables. In vitro in vivo correlation of the optimised batch was carried out using Wagner nelson method. Incompatibility studies have indicated compatibility of drug and excipients. Results: From the experiments, it was proved that the batch comprising 3:1 ratio of PGS and MCC, 1:1 binder solution and 1500 speed yielded good pellets with decreased disintegration time and improved dissolution rate as compared to pure Febuxostat. IVIVC studies indicated one to one correlation between in vitro and in vivo parameters. Conclusion: Pellets with good quality, minimum disintegration time and improved dissolution of model drug were successfully prepared with maximum amount of PGS. Optimisation using QbD approach was worth fruitful that affected the quality of pellets.