A comparison of granules prepared by pan granulation and by massing and screening

Abstract

Granules of lactose and calcium phosphate were prepared by pan granulation and by massing and screening. Capillary forces and the gentle action of tumbling in the pan were inadequate to compact the fine cohesive calcium phosphate but were highly effective with the less cohesive lactose where the absence of shear gave very high densification. Whereas massing and screening provided the necessary forces for consolidating calcium phosphate, with lactose a more open structure resulted which further dilated during screening. Increase in both moisture content and time of mixing increased granule density but the degree varied with both method and material as did granule shape, strength and compressibility.