Critical quality attributes of glucomannans as tablet excipients: linking physicochemical properties to matrix performance and in vitro drug release
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Glucomannans are natural polysaccharides increasingly investigated as pharmaceutical excipients due to their hydration, swelling, and rheological properties. However, variations in their structural features may strongly impact their performance in solid dosage forms. This study applies a Quality by Design (QbD) inspired comparative characterization approach to investigate material attributes potentially relevant to the functional performance of glucomannans as tablet excipients. Three different glucomannans were comparatively evaluated to explore structure-property-performance relationships. The materials were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and laser diffraction granulometry (particle size distribution analysis), and their rheological behavior was assessed in aqueous media. Digestibility was evaluated using the standardized INFOGEST in vitro protocol. Tablet performance was investigated through swelling, water uptake, and in vitro dissolution at pH 1.2 and 6.8 using theophylline as model drug. The three glucomannans exhibited marked differences in physicochemical characteristics, including particle size distribution and FTIR profiles, which were associated with differences in hydration behavior, viscosity, and resistance to in vitro digestion. These differences were accompanied by distinct swelling kinetics and dissolution profiles under the formulation and processing conditions investigated. Overall, the findings indicate that commercially available glucomannans may not be interchangeable as pharmaceutical excipients and highlight the importance of characterizing source-dependent material variability when selecting polysaccharide excipients for solid oral formulations.
Language: English
Subfield: Food Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,810
OpenAlex ID: W7162424112