Improving Color Uniformity In Tablets

Color uniformity in tablets made from direct compression formulations is important to the pharmaceutical industry and to the customers it serves. Color uniformity is related to the extent to which various coloring agents are dispersed in formulations during bulk compounding. Typically a V-blender is used for the bulk compounding of the ingredients with aluminum lake dye. The product coming from the blender tends to be a mottled (unequal distribution of color on the tablet surface) when compressed. Traditional size reduction techniques such as hammermills tend to be too aggressive increasing the adhesion between the lake and its carrier. Once formed these units can not be broken down when the formulation is mixed resulting in more intense colored "peppery" spots in the final product. The tumbling action of the V-blender with an intermediate oscillating step did not produce adequate mixing. The gentle action of the Quadro Comil is able to fully disperse the lake in the final formulation without causing adhesion of the lake and its carrier. The result is improved color quality in the final compressed product and virtual elimination of either "peppery" or white spots.

The Quadro Comil is constructed of stainless steel and comes in 10 models, providing capacities from lab scale size up to 100,000 lbs/hr (45,454kg/hr) or 1,666 lb/min.