Optimization of one-step pelletization technology of Fuke IV granules with response surface methodology / 中国中药杂志

ABSTRACT

To optimize the one-step pelletization technology of Fuke IV (FKIV) granules by response surface methodology. With the qualified rate of granules as evaluation indexes, 6 factors affecting one-step pelletization technology were investigated, significant levels of each factor were evaluated and the primal influential factors were determined by Plackett-Burman experimental design. According to the Plackett-Burman experimental design, the qualified rates of granules, moisture capacity and angle of repose as the evaluation indexes, Box-Behnken design with three levels and three factors was established for quadratic regression fitting of the models. Then the experimental results were optimized by Response Optimizer. The best process conditions were determined as follows： the extract relative density of 1.20, inlet air temperature of 88 ℃, and atomization pressure of 0.28 MPa. FKIV granules were prepared by the optimized experimental scheme. The determined qualified rate, moisture capacity and angle of response were 93.65%, 3.76% and 23.19° respectively for the granules, basically similar to the predicted values, indicating that the optimal process conditions were in line with the manufacturing requirements.