The Compressional Properties of Dextrose Monohydrate and Anhydrous Dextrose of Varying Water Contents

The effect of moisture on the compressional properties of anhydrous dextrose and dextrose monohydrate was examined. Relationships between moisture content and both tablet tensile strength and tablet toughness were evaluated. An increase in the moisture content of anhydrous dextrose produced a corresponding increase in both strength parameters up to the 8.9% moisture level, possibly due to a recrystallising effect. However any further increase in moisture content beyond this point produced a marked reduction in both tablet tensile strength and tablet toughness. For dextrose monohydrate, any increase in moisture content obtained by exposure to elevated humidities led to a reduction in both tensile strength and toughness.

The consolidation of both anhydrous dextrose and dextrose monohydrate was improved with increasing moisture content, presumably due to a lubrication effect, The yield forces and percentage porosity obtained under compression for anhydrous dextrose were observed to decrease with increasing moisture content up to a level of 9.20%.