ELOGHOSA NANCY IGBINEDION

PURPOSE: A dispersion containing indispersible solids undergo rapid sedimentation and this makes it difficult to withdraw uniform and consistent dosing. Aim: Hence the aim of this study is to evaluate the gum extracted from Chrysophyllum albidum fruit as a suspending agent in the formulation of magnesium trisilicate and light magnesium carbonate suspension in comparison with acacia gum as a standard. Methods: The gum was extracted from the pulp of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit by precipitation with methanol and dried into powder form at room temperature for 3 days. The resulting powdered gum was subjected to physiochemical characterization and its organoleptic properties. Varying concentration (5-20%w/v) of the gum were employed in the formulation of mist magnesium trisilicate and carbonate suspension respectively and the resulting suspension were evaluated for sedimentation rates, flow rate and redispersibility index over seven days of storage respectively. Results: The viscosity indices obtained for gums were 9.38-50.33 (C.albidum) and 6.12-39.50 (A.senegal) at varying concentration 5-20%w/v respectively. Viscosity of the suspension were concentration dependent; an increase in concentration lead to corresponding increase in viscosity. The suspension displayed a decrease in sedimentation rate with increase in concentration of the gum and this is in tandem with stokes law. The results of the flow rate of freshly made suspension showed a corresponding decrease in flow rate as gum concentration increased 1.25-0.08ml/s (C.albidum) and 1.67-0.10ml/s, (A.senegal) and this affect was more marked with C.albidum. Both gums displayed similar redispersibility indices and again this was concentration dependent. Conclusion: The study showed that the gum obtained from Chrysophyllum albidum compares favourably with Acacia gum as a suspending agents in the formulation of pharmaceutical dispersion and hence they can be substituted as suspending agents in pharmaceutical suspension. From the study, research should be carried out on improved and a better method for the extraction of gum from Chrysophyllum albidum fruits.