The document discusses pelletization techniques used in pharmaceutical formulations, defining pellets as small spherical units created through the agglomeration of fine powders. Various methods for pelletization are highlighted, including extruder/spheronisation, fluid-bed granulation, solution & suspension layering, and dry powder layering, each with detailed descriptions of their processes. The techniques focus on achieving suitable pellet size and properties for effective oral drug delivery.

1. PELLETIZATION TECHNIQUES
 BY- MEGHRAJ S. SWAMI
 Research associate Formulation and Development Department

2. PHARMACEUTICAL PELLETS :
DEFINATION
Small free flowing Spherical units ranging in size, prepared by
agglomeration of fine powders called pellets.
• In 1949 Pharmaceutical scientist at smith Kline & French developed
Drug pellets that could be loaded into capsules.
• Their size and shape allow their administration as oral drug delivery.
• Pellets range in size typically, between 0.5-2.0 mm through other sizes
could be prepared.

3. Palletization techniques used in pharmaceutical
fields :
1. Extruder / Spheronisation.
2. Fluid-bed Granulation.
3. Solution & suspension Layering.
4. Dry powder Layering.

4. EXTRUDER/SPHERONISATION :
THE POWDER MIX
WET MASS
EXTRUDATE
WET SPHERES
COATED SPHERS
A std mixer
Extruder
Spheronizer
Coater/drayer

5. EXTRUDER SPHERONISER

6. FLUID-BED GRANULATOR.
• This process is carried out continuously fluid bed granulator.
• It consist in the spraying of granulation solution onto suspended
particles, which then are dried rapidly in the hot air steam.
• Steps involved in it
• Preblending of formulation powder, including API, Fillers,
Disintegrantes in a flow air.
• Granulation of mixture by spraying suitable liquid binder onto
suspended blend.
• The draying of the granulated product to the desired moisture
content.

7. SOLUTION & SUSPENSION LAYERING. :
• Layering a suspension or solution of a drug on a seed (coarse crystal or
nonpareil) can produce pellets that are uniform in size distribution &
provides good surface morphology.
• These characteristics are especially desirable when pellets will be coated
for purpose of achieving a controlled release.
• Equipment's employed conventional pan & fluid bed equipment.
• Process Variables:
1. Drug solubility in media used
2. Suspension concentration
3. Solid particles for suspension layering

8. STEPS INVOLVED IN SOLUTION & SUSPENSION
LAYERING

9. DRY POWDER LAYERING :
• This process is similar to solution or suspension layering instead of
dispersion the layering performed using a drug powder.
• Initially nonpareil or starter seeds are charged into rotating pan,
then wetted by spraying adhesive solution. As the wet seeds reach at
end of the pan the powder added in vertex adhere to them.
• Rolling bed enhances vertex action increases mixing and shear which
improves adhesion of the powder to wet seeds.
• Entire process is repeated until desired drug powder layered on seeds

10. CONVETIONAL PAN

11. THANK YOU !