Micromeritics
I. Introduction
➢ study of small particles( micron size label)
➢ study of various characteristics including Particle Size And Distribution, Shape,
Angle Of Repose, Porosity, Volume, Density And Bulkiness.
urface Area Increases ⇒ I ncrease Solubility And
➢ As Particle Size Decreases ⇒ S
reater and Quicker drug action
Dissolution ⇒ G
Advantage/application:
➢ Release and dissolution: small particle size ⇒ more surface area ⇒ more drug
solubility so faster dissolution
➢ Absorption of drug: high dissolution cause faster absorption of drug
➢ Physical stability: small particle size( 2 to 5 micrometre) ⇒ brownian movement ⇒
good suspendability ⇒ stable suspension and emulsion; ointment, cream,
ophthalmic preparation⇒ lake of grittiness
➢ Drug uniformity: small spherical particles ⇒ good flow property of granules ⇒
please has uniform weight of tablet/ capsule and drug content during filling/
compression. number/ weight of the particle and their distribution should be same
in each tablet⇒ produced same therapeutic effect.
II. Determination of particle size:
A. Optical microscopy (0.2- 100 μm) : used to determine size of particle (in
suspension) and globules (in emulsion) & in aerosol.
B. Sieving method (50-1500 μm)
C. Sedimentation (1- 200 μm)- anderson/andreason pipette
D. Conductivity method/ coulter counter method(0.5-500 μm): measured particle
volume then it is converted into particle diameter.
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III. Particle surface area determination
A. Gas Absorption
B. Air Permeability: Fischer Subscene Sizes Instrument; Kozenyi Carman
Equation is used to determine SA.
IV. Determination of density: Pycnometer
V. Flow property
A. Angle of repose:
tan θ= h/r , θ=tan-1( h/r ) θ= angle of repose
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Angle of repose Flow property
く25 Excellent flow
25-30 good
30-40 passable/satisfactory
>40 poor
B. Considilation/carr’s index:
Carr’s Index Flow property
5-15 Excellent
12-16 Good
18-21 Fair to passble
23-35 Poor
33-38 Very poor
> 40 Very very poor
VI. Poders
➢ Powder is considered as a collection of particles. If the Powder contain particle
of one size, the Powder is termed mono size or monodisperse. Uniform size
particles are normally obtained by passing the Powder through the sieve of
the desired aperture.
➢ Size for diameter is a fundamental property of particle. Volume, density,
porosity etc are the properties derived from fundamental properties.
➢ Particle number: The number of particles present in a dosage form should
remain constant in order to maintain the dose uniformity.
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➢ Particle size distribution: The number of particles present in each size range
in a given weight of powder. Particle size distribution is expressed as the
number or weight of the particular lying within a certain size range.
❖ Porosity: Influence the rate of Disintegration & Dissolution of Dosage form(more
porous- faster rate of dissolution)
❖ Bulk Density: Helps In Selecting Container For Packing A Dosage Form
❖ Flow Properties: Help In Maintaining A Uniform Weight Of Tablet Or Capsule During
Production
❖ Volumes:
➢ True Volume-volume of Powder Itself
➢ Granule Volume- Volume of Powder Itself + Volume of Intraparticle
Space(Pores)
➢ Bulk Volume- Volume of Powder Itself + Volume of Intraparticle Space +
Volume of Interparticle Space (Voids).
Density = mass ÷ v olume
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❖ Classification of poder by fineness
S. All particle passes But not more than % particle ...through
No. through Sieve No. pass... Sieve No
1 Very coarse 8 20 60
2 Coarse 20 40 60
3 Moderate coarse 40 40 80
4 Fine coarse 60 40 100
5 Very fine 80 - -
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