Sugar spheres

BP Sugar spheres PhEur Sacchari spheri USPNF Sugar spheres 

Non-pareil non-pareil seeds NPTAB-, Nu-Core Nu-PareilPG sugar seeds Suglets. 

Sugar spheres are mainly used as inert cores in capsule and tablet formulations, particularly multiparticulate sustained-release formulations. They form the base upon which a drug is coated, usually followed by a release-modifying polymer coating. 

Alternatively, a drug and matrix polymer may be coated onto the cores simultaneously. The active drug is released over an extended period either via diffusion through the polymer or through to the controlled erosion of the polymer coating. 

Complex drug mixtures contained within a single-dosage form may be prepared by coating the drugs onto different batches of sugar spheres with different protective polymer coatings. 

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Particle size analysis by analytical sieving is important in the agricultural industry for soil analysis and in the pharmaceutical industry for various raw materials (such as sugar spheres) and liquid suspensions. For a more detailed look at particle size analysis, see Chapter 15. 

FIGURE 20.18 Flow of Cellet 5 (pellets made of microcrystalline cellulose), glass ballotini, and Sugar sphere (pellets made of sugar) with different diameters out of a hopper with an ori ce diameter of 5 mm. (From Leuenberger, H. and Lanz, l Aplv. Powder Technol., 16, in press (2005).)... 

Matinez L, Tchoreloff P, Leclerc B, Besnard M, Couarraze G. 2001. Active layering and direct compression of sugar spheres content homogeneity in low-dosage tablets. Pharm. Technol. Eur. October issue 38-46. 

Compressible Sugar Confectioner s Sugar Sugar spheres Method IV NF (19, pp. 2528 and 2529)... 

Compressible sugar confectioner s sugar invert sugar sugar spheres. 

Confectioner s sugar sucrose sugar spheres Sugartab. Sugartab... 

Sugar spheres are also used in confectionery products. 

The USPNF 23 describes sugar spheres as approximately spherical granules of a labeled nominal-size range with a uniform diameter and containing not less than 62.5% and not more than 91.5% of sucrose, calculated on the dried basis. The remainder is chiefly starch. 

The PhEur 2005 states that sugar spheres contain not more than 92% of sucrose calculated on the dried basis. The remainder consists of corn (maize) starch and may also contain starch hydrolysates and color additives. The diameter of sugar spheres varies from 200 to 2000 pm and the upper and lower limits of the size of the sugar spheres are stated on the label. 

Particle size distribution sugar spheres are of a uniform diameter. The following sizes are commercially available from various suppliers (US standard sieves) ... 

Sugar spheres are stable when stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place. 

See Starch and Sucrose for information concerning the incompatibilities of the component materials of sugar spheres. 

Sugar spheres are prepared from crystalline sucrose, which is coated using sugar syrup and a starch dusting powder. 

Sugar spheres are used in oral pharmaceutical formulations. The sucrose and starch components of sugar spheres are widely used in edible food products and oral pharmaceutical formulations. 

The adverse reactions and precautions necessary with the starch and sucrose components should be considered in any product containing sugar spheres. For example, sucrose is generally regarded as more cariogenic than other carbohydrates, and in higher doses is also contraindicated in diabetic patients. 

Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Guide (oral capsules and tablets). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK and Europe. The sucrose and starch components of sugar spheres are individually approved for use as food additives in Europe and the USA. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. 

The midsection of Table 7.4 indicates a theoretical air distribution based on 100 ft/min velocity need entering the down-bed through the plate (a fluidization velocity appropriate for a -25/30 mesh sugar sphere (Table 7.1)). The down-bed region referred to in this assessment is the critical velocity area of the down-bed between the up-bed aud the outer rim area. Airflow in this area of the down-bed must be adequate to fluidize particles above it. This air need can be determined from the 100 ft/min velocity needed for fluidization ... 

Wei, G. B. Ma, P. X. 2006. Macroporous and nanofibrous polymer scaffolds and polymer/bone-like apatite composite scaffolds generated by sugar spheres. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 78A, 306-315. 

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