Granulation of Paracetamol Using Honey as a Natural Binder: A Comparative Study with Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Abstract

Granulation is a fundamental pharmaceutical process that enhances the flowability, compressibility, and uniformity of powders used in solid dosage forms. This study investigates the feasibility of using honey as a natural binder in the wet granulation of paracetamol and compares its performance with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K30), a conventional synthetic binder. Five formulations containing 5% paracetamol, 82.5% lactose, and 12.5% binder (either PVP or honey) were prepared using wet granulation. The resulting granules were evaluated for particle size distribution, percentage yield, flow properties (angle of repose, Hausner ratio, and Carr's index), and friability. PVP-based granules demonstrated superior performance with higher yields (94-98.76%), lower angles of repose (24-26°), and consistently lower friability (2.16-3.21%) compared to honey-based granules, which showed yields of 88-89.82%, angles of repose of 28-30°, and more variable friability (2.50-13.2%). Both binders exhibited excellent flowability based on the Hausner ratio (1.04-1.13) and Carr's index (<12%). While PVP remains the more reliable binder for industrial applications, honey demonstrated adequate binding capacity and acceptable flow properties, suggesting its potential as a natural, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternative. However, standardization and optimization are required to address honey's inherent variability and hygroscopicity before it can be considered a full replacement in conventional pharmaceutical manufacturing.