Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for measuring granule impact strength and granule attrition rates by vibrating a small container of granules at a well-controlled amplitude in order to inflict reproducible damage to the granules. Damage to the granules is measured as a function of time and amplitude and attrition rates are measured in terms of dust generate per number of collisions versus mass of the granules. The measurements obtained yield a highly reproducible means for characterizing granule attrition, attrition rates, and fragmentation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coating material for use with particles, such as enzyme granules, and the like. In particular, the present invention provides a modified PVA, as well as particles or granules that include such coating. The PVA is modified by substituting hydrophilic moieties for the hydroxyl or alcohol groups of the PVA. Substitution may be achieved with hydrophilic acids, amines, thiols, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substantially anhydrous, powdered, galactomannan composition consisting essentially of a galactomannan hydrocolloid exhibiting about 50% to about 90% by weight of anhydromannose residues and about 10% to about 50% by weight anhydrogalactose residues; less than about 1% by weight of protein material and less than about 3% of other nonaqueous impurities. This material is useful for preparing pharmaceutical compositions both in the substantially anhydrous form but preferably in an anhydrated form which includes about 5-15% by weight water. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of a drug, the hydrated powered gallactomannan composition and optionally other pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients. When the hydrated powdered purified glactomannan of the invention is used to form a tablet, one sees improved hardness in the tablet formed.