Investigation of the powder flow behaviour of binary mixtures of microcrystalline celluloses and paracetamol

The flow behaviour of binary mixtures of paracetamol and different grades of microcrystalline celluloses (Avicel® PH101, PH102 and PH200) was studied using a new testing method. The effect of physical characteristics of the powder including tribocharging and the addition of lubricant on the flow properties of the different mixtures was investigated. As expected, the flowability of the samples was affected both by the amount of paracetamol and the physical properties of microcrystalline celluloses (MCC) and the mixtures. The effect of lubricant varied depending on the MCC grade: magnesium stearate was able to improve the flowability of the mixtures containing PH102 and PH200 while it did not affect the flowability of PH101. Multivariate analysis showed that the flow of the binary excipient-drug mixtures through an orifice is affected by several phenomena, such as charging, surface moisture, carrier payload and particle size.