Prediction of tablet hardness based on near infrared spectra of raw mixed powders by chemometrics.

The purpose of this research is to elucidate the effect of lubricant mixing on tablet hardness by near-infrared (NIR) chemometrics as a basic study of process analytical technology. Formulation cellulose (F-C) consisted of sulpyrine (SP), microcrystalline cellulose (MC), and magnesium stearate (MgSt). Formulation lactose/starch (F-L) consisted of SP bulk drug powder, spray-dried lactose (SL), corn starch (CS), and MgSt. First, F-L and F-C without MgSt were mixed in a twin-shell mixer for 60 min. MgSt was added to the mixed powder, and was mixed for various mixing times, after which the mixed powders were compressed by 8-mm diameter punch and die. NIR spectra of raw mixed powders of F-L and F-C were taken using a reflection type of Fourier transform NIR spectra spectrometer, and chemometric analysis was performed using principal component regression (PCR). The tablet hardnesses of F-L and F-C decreased with increasing mixing time. All NIR spectra of the mixed powders of F-L and F-C fluctuated depending on mixing time. In order to predict tablet hardness before tablet compression, NIR spectra of F-L and F-C mixed powders were analyzed and evaluated for hardness by PCR. The minimum standard error of cross-validation values could be realized by using five- and six-principal component models, respectively. In the cases of F-L and F-C, the relationships between the actual and predicted tablet hardnesses showed straight lines, respectively. In the regression vectors of F-L and FC, the peaks related to hydrogen groups of SP, CS, and MC appeared as positive peaks. In contrast, the peaks related to hydrocarbon due to MgSt appeared as negative peaks in the regression vectors. The calibration models to evaluate the tablet hardness were obtained based on NIR spectra of raw mixed powders by PCR. This approach to predicting tablet hardness prior to compression could be used as a routine test to indicate the quality of the final product without spending time and energy to produce samples of questionable quality.